Computers as Components, 2nd Edition

8.1 Distributed Embedded Architectures 401

8.1.3 Hardware and Software Architectures

Distributed embedded systems can be organized in many different ways depending

upon the needs of the application and cost constraints. One good way to understand

possible architectures is to consider the different types of interconnection networks

that can be used.

A point-to-point link establishes a connection between exactly two PEs. Point-

to-point links are simple to design precisely because they deal with only two com-

ponents. We do not have to worry about other PEs interfering with communication

on the link.

Figure 8.3 shows a simple example of a distributed