ITR: Collaborative Research: A Multi-Level Approach to Power-Efficient Opto-Electronic Interconnection Networks

摘要：互连网络结构正成为许多数字系统日益重要的通信骨干，为系统的容量扩展提供了手段。随着这些系统的功率受到限制，网络将成为最薄弱的环节，除非从先前的性能驱动方法转变为关注网络的功率效率。该项目采用多级方法实现节能互联网络，协同连接电路、架构和软件方面的研究，提供完整的解决方案，使节能网络结构成为现实。对新型低功耗电路技术的研究为新型节能网络架构设计提供了基本的网络构建模块。在电路级发现的新的链路和交换机制被用于网络功率和性能的运行时架构权衡。在层次结构的上层，最接近用户的软件层分析和考虑用户的电源性能需求。这项研究的目标是各种各样的系统——(1)通用和嵌入式系统；(2)电气和光网络技术，从功率的角度寻求确定网络层次中每个级别的光互连与电气互连之间的最佳选择；(3)从微小的片上网络到数据中心范围的机箱到机箱网络。通过现有的和新的研究生课程以及本科研究项目，研究被整合到教育课程中。该项目旨在进一步扩大代表性不足的群体对研究活动的参与。作为节能互联网络的开创性努力，该项目旨在通过发布仿真工具和其他结果来促进该领域的未来研究和教育。

Abstract:Interconnection network fabrics are becoming an ever-more critical communication backbone of many digital systems, providing the means for systems to scale up in capacity. As these systems become power-constrained, networks stand to be the weakest link, unless there is a shift from prior performance-driven approaches to one that focuses on the power efficiency of networks.This project takes a multi-level approach to power-efficient interconnection networks that synergistically bridges research in circuits, architecture and software, providing a complete solution that will make power-aware network fabrics a reality. Research into novel low-power circuit techniques develops basic network building blocks for newpower-efficient network architecture designs. New link and switch mechanisms uncovered at the circuit-level are leveraged for run-time architectural tradeoffs in network power and performance. Higher up in the hierarchy, the software level closest to users analyzes and factors in user power-performance requirements.This research targets a diverse range of systems -- (1) both general-purpose and embedded systems; (2) both electrical and optical networking technologies, seeking to determine the optimal choice between optical versus electrical interconnection at each level in the network hierarchy from a power perspective; (3) from tiny on-chip networks todata center-wide chassis-to-chassis networks.The research is integrated into the education curriculum, through existing and new graduate courses, and in undergraduate research programs. The project seeks to further broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in research activities. As a pioneering effort inpower-efficient interconnection networks, the project seeks tofacilitate future research and education in this area through the release of simulation tools and other results.