P2P Route-Through in Reconfigurable Dataflow Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for inter-die communication in reconfigurable processors require additional hardware for switching fabrics, which can be costly and inefficient, especially when direct connections between Reconfigurable Dataflow Units (RDUs) are overloaded or non-existent.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a peer-to-peer (P2P) route-through capability that allows P2P messages to be sent to an intermediate RDU, which acts as a switching fabric to route the message to the proper target RDU without the need for external components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional hardware for switching fabrics is used for inter-die communication, then routing capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling RDUs to perform routing decisions autonomously using their local pass-through tables. Each RDU independently determines whether to forward packets through itself or directly to the destination, eliminating the need for external switching fabric hardware while maintaining full routing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling RDUs to serve dual purposes: both as destination nodes for P2P communication and as intermediate routing nodes. The same RDU infrastructure (interface circuits, pass-through tables, intra-RDU networks) handles both direct communication and routing functions, eliminating dedicated switching hardware.
2Speed
If direct connections between RDUs are used, then communication speed is improved, but network resilience deteriorates when connections are overloaded or non-existent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the communication path to change based on real-time conditions. RDUs can dynamically select between direct connections and route-through paths based on load, availability, and configuration. The pass-through tables can be programmed to adapt routing decisions to current network state, providing both speed and resilience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediate RDUs as mediators when direct connections are unavailable or overloaded. Instead of requiring direct point-to-point links, an intermediate RDU with P2P route-through capability can forward messages between source and destination, maintaining communication reliability through the intermediary path.
3Device complexity
If P2P route-through capability is implemented using existing RDU infrastructure, then device complexity is reduced, but bandwidth capacity may be limited by shared resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the RDU infrastructure into separate functional components: interface circuits for external communication, pass-through tables for routing decisions, and intra-RDU networks for data transport. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's capacity and enables better resource management to maximize bandwidth utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable dataflow unit (RDU) includes an intra-RDU network, an array of configurable units connected by an array level network and function interfaces. The RDU also includes interface circuits coupled between the intra-RDU network and external interconnects. An interface circuit receives a packet from the external interconnect and extracts a target RDU identifier and compares the target RDU identifier to the value of the identity register. It also communicates over the intra-RDU network to a function interface based on information in the first packet in response to the target RDU identifier being equal to the identity register. The interface circuit retrieves another interface circuit identifier for the target RDU identifier from the pass-through table and, in response to the target RDU identifier not being equal to the identity register, sends the target RDU identifier and other information to the other interface circuit over the intra-RDU network.