Survey on Real-Time Networks-on-Chip

• Published in: IEEE transactions on parallel and distributed systems 2017-05, Vol.28 (5), p.1500-1517
• Main Authors: Hesham, Salma, Rettkowski, Jens, Goehringer, Diana, Abd El Ghany, Mohamed A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Complexity; Computer architecture; Delays; Energy efficiency; IP networks; Microprocessors; Multi-core/single-chip multiprocessors; Nickel; on-chip interconnection networks; power management; Quality of service; Real time; real-time and embedded systems; Real-time systems; System on chip
• ISSN: 1045-9219; 1558-2183
• DOI: 10.1109/TPDS.2016.2623619

Multi-Processor Systems-on-Chip (MPSoCs) have emerged as an evolution trend to meet the growing complexity of embedded applications with increasing computation parallelism. Particularly, real-time applications make out a significant portion of the embedded field. Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) are the backbone of communications in an MPSoC platform. However, the use of NoCs in real-time systems imposes complex constraints on the overall design. This paper discusses the challenges faced, when designing NoCs for real-time applications. Contributions in this area are surveyed on the level of guaranteed Quality-of-Service (QoS) support, adaptivity, and energy efficient techniques. Furthermore, the evaluation methodologies and experimental performance measurements of real-time NoCs are examined. This survey provides a comprehensive overview of existing endeavors in real-time NoCs and gives an insight towards future promising research points in this field.