NOC Controller Delegation for Network-on-Chip Traffic Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional network-on-chip (NOC) infrastructures face scalability and predictability issues due to heavy data traffic and power dissipation, especially as the number of compute units increases, with traditional solutions like low voltage signaling and data compression being insufficient to address these challenges effectively.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a delegation mechanism within the NOC, where an NOC controller facilitates the delegation of instructions and data from compute units to NOC nodes, allowing designated nodes to execute instructions and process data, thereby reducing data traffic and power dissipation by eliminating unnecessary data transfers between compute units and NOC nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data packets are transmitted through multiple hops in the NOC, then data can reach its destination, but data traffic and power dissipation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata deliveryVSAvoidpower dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the source NOC node perform early processing operations (encryption, compression, filtering) on data packets before they are transmitted through the network. This preprocessing reduces the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and processed at intermediate nodes, thereby reducing overall data traffic and power dissipation while ensuring reliable data delivery to the destination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If more compute units are added to the NOC, then processing capability increases, but data traffic and power dissipation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidpower dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by enabling each NOC node to perform specific processing functions (encryption, compression, filtering) locally rather than requiring all data to be transmitted to centralized processing units. This distributed processing approach allows more compute units to be added to increase overall processing capability while each node processes only the data it receives, reducing redundant data transmission and associated power dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If data is processed at multiple nodes, then processing flexibility increases, but data traffic increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing flexibilityVSAvoiddata traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by removing unnecessary processing steps and data transmissions from the network. Specifically, it extracts and performs essential processing operations (encryption, compression, filtering) at the source node before transmission, eliminating the need for these operations to be performed at intermediate nodes. This maintains processing flexibility while significantly reducing the quantity of data traffic that must traverse the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10142258B2Methods and apparatus for processing in a network on chip (NOC)

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatus of delegating instructions or data from a CU to an NOC node in a network on chip (NOC) is disclosed. The NOC node executes the delegated instructions or processes the delegated data. An NOC controller (NCC), which is operatively coupled to the CU and the NOC node, facilitates delegating the instructions or data from the CU to the NOC node.