Runtime-reconfigurable RISC-V MCUs

Dynamic Partial Reconfiguration (DPR) enables on- demand specialization of embedded RISC–V cores by swapping accelerator logic at runtime while the CPU keeps running. This thesis studies how DPR im- proves flexibility, performance, and energy efficiency in FPGA/eFPGA-based systems. You will design a stan- dardized socket between the static pipeline and recon- figurable regions using instruction-set extension inter- faces (custom instructions/CSRs), and prototype swap- pable accelerators for a dedicated usecase (e.g., crypto, DSP). The work spans hardware, software, and tool flow: partial bitstreams, reconfiguration control, and driver/runtime integration.

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Student Target Groups:

  • Computer Science (CS)
  • Information and Computer Engineering (ICE)
  • Electrical Engineering (EE)
  • Space Sciences and Earth from Space (SSES)

Thesis Type:

  • Master Thesis / Master Project / Bachelor Thesis

Goal and Tasks:

  • Specify a standardized extension interface between the static and DPR regions.
  • Prototype your CPU system in an FPGA.
  • Implement DPR functionality.
  • Evaluate performance/energy/area/latency vs. static designs; provide open, reproducible artifacts.

Recommended Prior Knowledge:

  • FPGA design, ideally with DPR concepts
  • Processor architecture, preferably RISC–V
  • Verilog/SystemVerilog

Start:

  • a.s.a.p.

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