FPGA Gurus

I was happy to see the Xilinx's Xcell Journal feature the Switchback ruggedized computer in an issue one year ago. The system improves the use of an FPGA in a traditional reconfigurable bus-based computer, by making the Virtex-5 itself the primary controller, linking to north and south bridges as well as memory.

Still, it was a little odd Jan. 26 to see RMT Inc., developer of the Switchback, issue a press release on the granting of its patent for its Black Diamond Advanced Technology. U.S. Patent No. 7,607,005, “Virtual Hardware System with Universal Ports Using FPGA” is a critical one for the role of an FPGA, since it’s the first key patented instance (I'm aware of, in any event) of placing the FPGA in the control plane, turning both CPU and chipset peripherals into secondary peripherals.

But the strategy of making a public announcement of a patent issuance makes me wonder – Will this have relevance outside the Black Diamond/Switchback user base, and if so, under what circumstances? Does RMT wish to license the concept to other OEMs outside military-aerospace realms? Is the press release a warning of sorts that the company considers the entire architectural concept to be protected?

I may be reading more into this than is necessary. Maybe RMT just wants to increase the awareness of a very unique approach to the role of FPGAs in open-bus, ruggedized COTS computing. In any event, the patent is worth our attention and respect, and we’ll have to see how the Switchback is used in the future.