Adaptively Switched Network-on-Chip Router Ports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) face challenges in efficiently managing traffic congestion and energy consumption due to their inability to adaptively switch between packet-switched and circuit-switched modes based on traffic conditions, leading to throughput limitations and increased latency.

Innovation Solution

An adaptively switched NoC that dynamically changes its flow control method by operating in circuit-switched mode when there are few active data streams and in packet-switched mode when multiple streams are present, allowing each router port to independently adjust its mode based on local and temporal traffic congestion, thereby optimizing energy efficiency and throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If circuit-switched mode is used when there are few active data streams, then energy consumption is reduced, but throughput may be limited under congestion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between circuit-switched and packet-switched modes based on real-time traffic conditions. Each router port monitors the number of active data streams and adaptively selects the appropriate switching mode, allowing the network to optimize between energy efficiency and throughput depending on current load conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameter of the switching mode (circuit-switched vs. packet-switched) based on the parameter of active data stream count. When the number of active streams is below a threshold, circuit-switched mode is selected for energy efficiency; when above the threshold, packet-switched mode is selected for higher throughput capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If packet-switched mode is used when multiple data streams are present, then throughput is increased, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional hybrid packet/circuit-switched NoC is used, then structure is simpler, but adaptability to traffic conditions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidadaptability to traffic conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements feedback mechanisms where each router port monitors traffic conditions (number of active data streams) and uses this information to dynamically select the appropriate switching mode. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing traffic patterns and optimize performance accordingly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Productivity

If adaptive mode switching is implemented, then energy efficiency and throughput are optimized, but router port complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidrouter port complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the NoC into independent router ports, each capable of autonomous mode selection. This segmentation allows each port to independently monitor its own traffic conditions and select the appropriate switching mode without requiring complex centralized control, distributing the intelligence and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each router port autonomously monitors its own traffic conditions and independently selects the appropriate switching mode without requiring external control. This self-service capability simplifies the overall control architecture while enabling adaptive optimization at each port level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3238391B1Adaptively switched network-on-chip

Publication Date: 2020.06.17 INTEL CORP

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Figure 3A~3C

AI summary

A packet-switched reservation request to be associated with a first data stream is received. A communication mode is selected. The communication mode is to be either a circuit-switched mode or a packet-switched mode. At least a portion of the first data stream is communicated in accordance with the communication mode.