ISE
Partitions Overview
A Partition defines a source instance that is marked for reuse. Partitions can be HDL, Schematic or EDIF source instances at any level of the hierarchy. When a lower-level source instance is defined as a Partition, the top module is automatically defined as a Partition as well. Create a Partition for an instance in your logical design to indicate that the implementation for that instance should be reused when possible. Design preservation is now available in ISE through Partitions. For more information about using Partitions, see Using Partitions and the Incremental Design Reuse with Partitions application note.
Flat vs. Partitioned Design Overview
Partition design, allows Partitions to be implemented without affecting each other. Therefore, the unaffected Partition will copy and paste guaranteeing runtime preservation compared to a flat design without Partitions.
Advantages of Partitions
  •  Partitions enable design re-use
  •  Partitions can help reduce run-time
  •  Design Preservation
    •  Generally faster to preserve a Partition then to re-implement a design.
    •  User does not have to reverify the functionality or timing of a preserved Partition.
See Also

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