A virtual hardware handler for run-time reconfiguration systems

Whilst the potential exists to achieve Run-Time Reconfigurable (RTR) systems, careful design of both the system and the hardware functions is required. The approach presented here, relies on designing the RTR functions with low reconfiguration time and the development of a Dynamic Link Library (DLL), the Virtual Hardware Handler (VHH) to cope with the reconfiguration of the hardware. The design of the VHH for run-time reconfiguration is presented. A windows-based system that uses the VCC Hotworks board has been implemented and results are given. (5 pages)