Bridging the gap between resilient networks-on-chip and real-time systems

Journal
IEEE transactions on emerging topics in computing  
Volume
8
Issue
2
Start Page
418
End Page
430
Article Number
8003334
Citation
IEEE Transactions on Emerging Topics in Computing 2 (8): 8003334, 418-430 (2020)
Publisher DOI
10.1109/TETC.2017.2736783
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85028959631
Publisher
IEEE
IEEE Conventional fault-tolerance approaches for Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) cannot be applied to high dependability systems due to their different goals and constraints. These systems impose strict integrity, resilience and real-time requirements. In order to meet these requirements, all possible effects of random hardware errors must be taken into account, silent data corruption must be prevented and the resulting system must be predictable in the presence of errors. In this paper, we present a wormhole-switched NoC with virtual channels for high dependability systems hardened against soft errors. The NoC is developed based on results of a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis. It efficiently handles errors in different network layers and operates with formal guarantees. Our experimental evaluation, including an industrial avionics use case, shows that the network is able to achieve predictable behavior even in aggressive environments with very high error rates while presenting competitive overheads.
Subjects
High Dependability
Network-on-Chip
Real-time
Reliability
Soft Errors
DDC Class
000: Allgemeines, Wissenschaft