Survey and Future Directions on Fault Tolerance Mechanisms in Reconfigurable Computing

Abstract

This paper provides an extensive review of fault tolerance mechanisms in reconfigurable computing, particularly focusing on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Reconfigurable computing systems offer significant flexibility and performance advantages but are vulnerable to various faults that can compromise system reliability. The review starts with an introduction to the importance of fault tolerance in reconfigurable computing, followed by a detailed examination of existing mechanisms, including redundancy techniques, error detection and correction methods, and dynamic reconfiguration strategies. The discussion highlights the challenges involved in implementing fault tolerance, such as the trade-offs between performance and reliability and the increased complexity of fault-tolerant designs. Through case studies, the effectiveness and practical application of different fault tolerance strategies are illustrated. The paper also explores emerging trends and innovations, such as the integration of machine learning techniques and advancements in self-healing systems. The conclusion emphasizes future research directions, advocating for the development of more efficient, scalable, and automated fault tolerance solutions to improve the robustness of reconfigurable computing systems.