Buffered NoC Broadcaster for Parallel Transaction Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network-on-chip (NoC) systems require sequential transmission of transactions to multiple slaves, leading to increased processing time and inefficiencies due to the need for individual switch processing and decoding of each transaction, limiting the rate at which identical requests can be sent to multiple destinations.
Innovation Solution
A broadcast switch that integrates broadcast adapter and switch functionalities, allowing simultaneous transaction broadcasting and routing, reducing the number of links and processing delays by performing route and port table lookups, and enabling transactions to be sent to multiple destinations via the same egress port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sequential transmission of transactions to multiple slaves is used, then individual switch processing and decoding can be performed, but processing time increases and transaction rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the broadcast adapter and switch into a single integrated broadcast switch unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate processing stages, allowing the system to broadcast transactions to multiple slaves simultaneously through a unified structure that performs both adaptation and switching functions in one operation, thereby increasing transaction rate while maintaining processing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The broadcast switch performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a broadcast adapter (translating transactions) and a switch (routing to destinations). This multi-functionality allows a single unit to handle both the adaptation and distribution of transactions to multiple slaves, eliminating sequential processing delays and improving overall transaction rate
2Ease of operation
If individual switch processing is performed for each transaction, then routing control is maintained, but processing delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The broadcast switch performs route table lookups in advance during the broadcast process, determining destination routing information before the transactions are fully processed. This preliminary action of retrieving routing information allows the system to maintain routing control while reducing subsequent processing delays, as the routing decisions are pre-computed during the broadcast adaptation phase
3Ease of manufacture
If broadcast adapter and switch are separate components, then functional modularity is achieved, but device complexity and number of links increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the broadcast adapter and switch into a single integrated broadcast switch component. This consolidation reduces the number of links and connections required in the system architecture, eliminating the interface between separate components. The integrated structure maintains functional modularity by incorporating both adaptation and switching capabilities within one unit, thereby reducing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods of using a broadcaster in network-on-chip are presented. A broadcaster receives, duplicates, and sends transactions in a network-on-chip (NoC). More specifically, and without limitation, the invention provides for transacting from an initiator to multiple targets and receives responses, as needed, that are combined and sent to the initiator. In general, without limitation, the invention relates to using a buffer within a broadcaster to buffer duplicated transactions that are sent to using an egress port that is connected to multiple targets destinations.