Configuration via Protocol is a configuration scheme supported in Arria ® V, Cyclone ® V, Stratix ®V , and Arria® 10 devices families. The Configuration via Protocol configuration scheme creates separate images for the periphery and core logic. You can store the periphery image in the configuration device and the core image in host memory, reducing system costs and increasing the security for the proprietary core image. Configuration via Protocol is available for Endpoint variants.

Benefits of Using Configuration via Protocol

• Reduces system costs by reducing the size of the flash device to store the periphery configuration data.
• Improves security for the proprietary core bitstream. Configuration via Protocol ensures the PCIe host can exclusively access the FPGA core image.
• Enables dynamic core updates without requiring a system power down. Configuration via Protocol allows the FPGA fabric to be updated through the PCIe link without a host reboot or FPGA full chip reinitialization.
• Provides a simpler software model for configuration. A smart host can use the PCIe protocol and the application topology to initialize and update the FPGA fabric.
• Facilitates hardware acceleration.
• Reduces system size. You can use a single PCIe link to configure multiple FPGAs.