Tree-Based Monitoring Network Crosslink Bypass for Defective Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
System-on-Chip (SoC) devices with tree-based monitoring networks are vulnerable to failures, as a single defective unit can disrupt communication across the entire network, and existing redundancy methods, like duplicating the tree structure, increase on-chip area without ensuring robustness against failures.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring network with a tree-based structure that includes crosslinks between branches, allowing for reconfiguration to bypass defective units, ensuring communication continuity by routing messages through adjacent branches when a unit fails, thereby maintaining network integrity without doubling the on-chip area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tree-based topology is used for the monitoring network, then the on-chip area is minimized and message routing efficiency is improved, but the system becomes vulnerable to failures where a single defective unit can disrupt communication across the entire network
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring network is segmented into multiple independent branches connected to the root unit. Each branch operates as an independent path, so a failure in one branch does not affect other branches. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality despite individual unit failures.
Solution Approach 2:
Crosslinks are introduced to connect corresponding units across adjacent branches at the same hierarchical level, creating a multi-dimensional routing structure. This allows messages to be routed through multiple paths (upward through branches and laterally through crosslinks) to bypass defective units while maintaining efficient communication.
2Reliability
If the tree-based structure is duplicated to protect against node failure, then reliability against single node failure is improved, but the on-chip area dedicated to the monitoring network is doubled
Solution Approach 1:
Crosslinks serve multiple functions: they enable bypass routing for defective units, provide alternative communication paths between branches, and maintain the hierarchical structure of the monitoring network. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for complete tree duplication while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Crosslinks act as intermediary connections between adjacent branches, enabling message routing through alternative paths when units are defective. These intermediary links provide the necessary redundancy without requiring full duplication of the entire tree structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An integrated circuit chip device comprising system circuitry; and monitoring circuitry for monitoring the system circuitry, the monitoring circuitry comprising units connected in a tree-based structure for routing communications through the integrated circuit chip device. The tree-based structure comprises branches extending from a root unit, each branch comprising a plurality of units, each unit connected to a single unit above in the branch and a single unit below in the branch. Communications are routable between the root unit and a destination unit of a branch via intermediate units of that branch. Crosslinks connect corresponding units of adjacent branches, each crosslink can be enabled to route communications between the root unit and a destination unit of one of the branches the crosslink connects via the other branch the crosslink connects in response to an intermediate unit being deemed defective, that intermediate unit being in the same branch as the destination unit.