Multiprocessor Systems-on-Chips

3.3. Micronetwork Architecture and Control

Network design entails the specification of network architectures and control protocols. The architecture specifies the topology and physical organization of the interconnection network, whereas the protocols specify how to use network resources during system operation. Even though architecture and protocol design are tightly intertwined, we shall first focus on different network architectures and then address protocol design issues.

Network design is influenced by many design metrics. Whereas both micro-network and general network design must meet performance requirements, on-chip network implementations will be differentiated by the need to satisfy tight energy bounds. Design choices are strongly impacted ...