GoAhead Software, a leading provider of management software for internet infrastructure devices and appliances, and Xilinx Inc., a leader in complete programmable logic solutions, have joined to develop an end-to-end field-upgrading solution with Xilinx programmable logic.

Logical Solution
To build the enhanced programmable-logic upgrade capability, the companies integrated Xilinx Internet Reconfigurable Logic (IRL™) technology with GoAhead FieldUpgrader™, a management software solution that enables automatic and remote updating and upgrading of devices in the field. The result is a simple, convenient method for embedded device manufacturers to remotely upgrade their Xilinx FPGAs over the Internet. This solution has several advantages over current methods for upgrading embedded systems. In addition to reducing service costs by eliminating personnel performing upgrades manually, the GoAhead/Xilinx method reduces risk by allowing bugs to be automatically fixed in the field, transparent to the user. It also enables devices to stay in the field for a longer period, ensures devices receive the correct upgrades, and improves end-user satisfaction.

The FieldUpgrader Design
The GoAhead/Xilinx upgrading solution is a client-initiated, automatic upgrade made possible through a target-based Agent. The Agent calls for the upgrade, which is then transmitted to the device over the Internet, utilizing digital signal standard (DSS) security methods to provide authentication and data verification. Once the upgrade is in Flash, a simple JavaScript invokes the Xilinx IRL technology, which in turn upgrades an FPGA. By integrating Xilinx IRL technology with GoAhead FieldUpgrader, the companies created a complete system-level solution. The use of off-the-shelf tools eliminates the need for the customer to develop proprietary communication architecture. The crossplatform solution is compatible with a variety of operating systems, including VxWorks from Wind River Systems, Linux, and Windows 95/98/NT/CE from Microsoft.

GoAhead FieldUpgrader consists of three parts: DeviceStudio, UpgradeAgent, and UpgradeServer. DeviceStudio is the development environment used to configure the UpgradeAgent. Once configured, the UpgradeAgent is embedded in the target device. UpgradeServer, located on a server at the manufacturer or end-user site, publishes and manages upgrades. The UpgradeServer looks for upgrades at regular pre-determined intervals. When an upgrade is available and authorized, the device downloads the software and applies it as specified.