Neuromorphic Spike Multicast Routing With Destination Vectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing neuromorphic processors face challenges in efficiently routing spike packets for multicast communication, leading to network congestion and high latency due to the need for multiple packets with the same payload and different destinations, which burdens the source node and increases power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method for single-packet multicast routing in neuromorphic processors, where a destination vector is used to determine and update destinations dynamically, allowing intermediary routers to forward packets without replicating them, and a router logic that modifies packets at each node to ensure efficient delivery to multiple cores.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple packets are transmitted for multicast communication, then delivery to multiple destinations is achieved, but network congestion and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulticast deliveryVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple destination addresses into a single packet by implementing a destination vector field that contains bit positions indicating multiple destination neuromorphic array cores. This allows one packet to carry multicast information for multiple destinations simultaneously, eliminating the need to send separate packets to each destination and thereby reducing network congestion and latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple packets are transmitted for multicast communication, then delivery to multiple destinations is achieved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulticast deliveryVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple destination specifications into a single packet structure with a destination vector, reducing the total number of packets transmitted across the network. This directly lowers power consumption by minimizing the energy required for packet transmission and processing at intermediate routers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the source node replicates packets for each destination, then multicast delivery is achieved, but the source node becomes burdened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulticast deliveryVSAvoidsource node burden

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary routers as mediators that perform the destination verification and packet forwarding functions. Instead of the source node replicating packets, the source node sends a single packet with a destination vector to intermediary routers, which then determine whether to forward or deliver the packet based on their identity matching the destination vector.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple destination addresses into a single packet by implementing a destination vector field that contains bit positions indicating multiple destination neuromorphic array cores. This allows one packet to carry multicast information for multiple destinations simultaneously, eliminating the need for the source node to create and manage multiple separate packets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If packet replication is performed at each node, then multicast delivery is achieved, but network congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulticast deliveryVSAvoidnetwork traffic volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple destination specifications into a single packet structure with a destination vector, reducing the total number of packets transmitted across the network. This directly lowers network traffic volume by eliminating redundant packet transmissions and reducing the quantity of data that must be processed by intermediate routers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250356174A1Spike interconnect on chip single-packet multicast

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 INNATERA NANOSYSTEMS BV

AI summary

A method for routing spikes in a neuromorphic processor, comprising a plurality of neuromorphic array cores each with an associated router. The method comprises generating spike data representing spike(s) produced by neuron(s) in a source neuromorphic array core. A spike data packet is generated containing the spike data, a destination vector, and a source core identity. The spike data packet is transmitted to one or more of the routers. On the basis of the destination vector it is determined whether the receiving neuromorphic array core is a destination. If so, the spike data is sent to the receiving neuromorphic array core. Furthermore, it is determined whether there are additional destinations. If so, the destination vector is updated. Furthermore, one or more next destinations are determined; and the spike data packet or a copy of the spike data packet is sent to one or more output ports of the router.