Networks on Chips

Chapter 2. Network Architecture: Principles and Examples

Networks on chip (NoCs) are designed using principles that were investigated for multiprocessor computers as well as for local and wide area networks. Networks are characterized by architectures and protocols. The former embody the structural relations among the constituents of the network, while the latter specify the ways in which the network operates under various conditions. In this chapter we review the principles of network architecture, starting from a general taxonomy and revisit of the most commonly used topologies. Next, we will describe some novel architectures that have been proposed specifically for on-chip realizations. Finally, we will consider the impact of the physical substrate ...