Network-on-Chip Router Identifier Assignment via Coordinate Shrinking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for generating and assigning identifier information to routers in network-on-chip (NoC) are prone to user errors and are not scalable for full and custom mesh-based topologies in both physical and logical view floorplans.

Innovation Solution

A method that automatically generates and assigns unique identifiers to each router in NoC by using planar-axis coordinates, router link layers, and coordinate shrinking techniques, enabling efficient data packet arbitration in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional mesh topologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual specification of unique identifiers for each router is used, then user control over identifier assignment is improved, but user errors and lack of scalability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser controlVSAvoiduser errors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic identifier generation and assignment without requiring user intervention. The router identifier assignment unit automatically generates unique identifiers based on router coordinates and assigns them to respective routers, eliminating manual specification and its associated errors while maintaining system control through automated algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-calculates and assigns unique identifiers to routers before data packet transmission begins. By establishing the identifier assignment in advance based on fixed coordinate systems, the system prepares the routing infrastructure proactively, avoiding errors during actual operation and ensuring scalability for future routers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If fixed coordinate logical view floorplan is used, then routing path determination is simplified, but adaptability to custom mesh-based topologies worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverouting path determinationVSAvoidcustom mesh-based topologies

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic identifier generation system uses a universal coordinate-based approach that works across different NoC topologies including full mesh, custom mesh, and other configurations. The router identifier assignment unit can handle various topology types by applying the same coordinate extraction and identifier generation logic, making the system versatile without increasing routing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter representation from fixed logical coordinates to dynamic coordinate-based identifiers that adapt to different topology configurations. By extracting coordinates from various floorplan types and converting them to unique identifiers, the system maintains simplified routing determination while adapting to diverse mesh-based topologies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automatic identifier generation is implemented, then scalability is improved, but computational complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovescalabilityVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex manual identifier assignment processes with an automated computational algorithm. The router identifier assignment unit uses coordinate extraction and mathematical operations to generate unique identifiers automatically, substituting manual mechanical processes with efficient computational methods that scale well and maintain acceptable complexity levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The identifier generation process is segmented into distinct steps: coordinate extraction from floorplan, coordinate processing, and unique identifier assignment. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, improving scalability while managing computational complexity through modular processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250141779A1Method of generating and assigning identifier information to each router in a network on-chip for arbitrating a data packet

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 SKYECHIP BERHAD

AI summary

The invention relates to a computer-implemented method (100) of generating and assigning identifier information to each router in a network-on-chip for arbitrating data packets. The method (100) comprises the steps of: generating and assigning a planar-axis coordinate, Z, for each router; generating and assigning an ascending value to each router link layer for every link between two routers of the same coordinate; selecting the origin router with the smallest value; assigning a coordinate comprising a horizontal-axis (X) and a vertical-axis (Y); calculating the distance of the coordinates; generating and assigning coordinates to adjacent routers; applying coordinate shrinking to get all coordinates in positive integer numbers with optimized ascending order; and repeating the steps to complete the generation and assignment of coordinates to all planar-axis routers.