Patent ID: 7085670

Claim:
A reconfigurable measurement system, comprising: a computer system comprising a processor and a memory; wherein the memory stores a measurement program, wherein the measurement program specifies a measurement function; wherein the memory also stores a program which is executable to generate a hardware configuration program based on the measurement program; and a device coupled to the computer system, wherein the device includes: a programmable hardware element, wherein the hardware configuration program is operable to be deployed onto the programmable hardware element; and one or more fixed hardware resources coupled to the programmable hardware element; wherein the hardware configuration program specifies a configuration for the programmable hardware element that implements the measurement function; wherein the hardware configuration program further specifies usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element in performing the measurement function; and wherein, after the hardware configuration program is deployed onto the programmable hardware element, the device is operable to perform the measurement function, wherein the programmable hardware element is operable to: directly perform a first portion of the measurement function; and invoke the one or more fixed hardware resources to perform a second portion of the measurement function.