Breaking master-slave model between host and FPGAs

Abstract

This paper proposes to enhance current task-based programming models by breaking their current master-slave approach between the main processor and its hardware accelerators. As a proof-of-concept, it presents an extension of the OmpSs@FPGA toolchain that allows the tasks offloaded into the FPGA to create and synchronize nested tasks on their own without involving the host. Those FPGA spawned tasks may target the host to execute code not suitable for the FPGA, like system calls or I/O operations; or target other kernel accelerators inside the same FPGA. In addition to the programmability benefits of this new feature, the proposed system presents significant performance improvements and a better productivity over the classical master-slave approach.