Reconfigurable Computing Architecture for the Linux Kernel
Channel: The Linux Foundation
Date: 2017-04-04

Reconfigurable Computing Architecture for the Linux Kernel - Vince Bridgers & Yves Vandervennet, Intel

Reconfigurable Computing promises to provide a rich set of applications by supporting the dynamic management of user defined devices for I/O and compute acceleration. The application space for these types of solutions range from embedded systems up to industry standard servers, and all types of systems in between. Significant progress has been made in areas such as offload frameworks and automatic synthesis of Hardware Descriptor Languages, but attention now needs to be given to how these new and exciting technologies would be integrated into the standard Linux kernel.

This presentation describes a Scalable Reconfigurable Computing Architecture developed from a simple model that comprehends the most common use cases, including I/O and Compute offload, from embedded systems up to data center applications. Use cases such as OpenCL frameworks are described, as well as custom soft devices for I/O acceleration and computation offload. Logic synthesis flows and how they fit into this architecture is described, with specific use cases ranging from embedded system to data center applications.

About Vince Bridgers

Vince Bridgers is a Systems Architect and Software Developer with over 20 years’ experience in systems, device driver, and kernel software development. Vince’s experience spans new system development, graphics, networking, and systems performance optimizations. Vince was an invited speaker at HP Discover in 2010 on the topic of high performance network optimizations, and at the ELC 2015 in San Jose, CA. Vince’s current projects include LLVM compiler development for High Level Language Synthesis and OpenCL, software architecture and development for a FPGA based “SmartNIC”, Altera’s Quad Speed Ethernet with Precision Time Protocol capabilities, Altera’s Real Time Linux maintenance, and Vince is also the maintainer for the Altera Triple Speed Ethernet Device Driver.

About Yves Vandervennet

Yves Vandervennet is a software engineer with 15+ years of experience in open source embedded software development and engineering management. Yves' current interests are runtime FPGA management, device tree overlays, all in open source.