The impacts of timing constraints on virtual channels multiplexing in interconnect networks

Khonsari, A., Ould-Khaoua, M., Nayebi, A. and Sarbazi-Azad, H. (2006) The impacts of timing constraints on virtual channels multiplexing in interconnect networks. In: 25th IEEE International Performance Computing and Communications Conference (IPCCC’06), Phoenix, Arizona, USA, 10-12 April 2006, ISBN 1424401984 (doi: 10.1109/.2006.1629390)

Abstract

Interconnect networks employing wormhole-switching play a critical role in shared memory multiprocessor systems-on-chip (MPSoC) designs, multicomputer systems and system area networks. Virtual channels greatly improve the performance of wormhole-switched networks because they reduce blocking by acting as "bypass" lanes for non-blocked messages. Capturing the effects of virtual channel multiplexing has always been a crucial issue for any analytical model proposed for wormhole-switched networks. Dally has developed a model to investigate the behaviour of this multiplexing which have been widely employed in the subsequent analytical models of most routing algorithms suggested in the literature. It is indispensable to modify Dally's model in order to evaluate the performance of channel multiplexing in more general networks where restrictions such as timing constraints of input arrivals and finite buffer size of queues are common. In this paper we consider timing constraints of input arrivals to investigate the virtual channel multiplexing problem inherent in most current networks. The analysis that we propose is completely general and therefore can be used with any interconnect networks employing virtual channels. The validity of the proposed equations has been verified through simulation experiments under different working conditions.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Ould-Khaoua, Dr Mohamed
• Authors: Khonsari, A., Ould-Khaoua, M., Nayebi, A., and Sarbazi-Azad, H.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Publisher: IEEE Computer Society
• ISBN: 1424401984
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2006 IEEE
• First Published: First published in the 25th IEEE International Performance Computing and Communications Conference (IPCCC’06)
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.