GOALI: Short-Range, Wireless Communications for Next-Generation Computing Systems

本研究的目的是促进对在传统的多芯片计算环境中使用短距离、低延迟无线通信的优点和局限性的基本理解。传统的计算平台由单个印刷电路板上的许多集成电路组成，包含几种不同带宽和延迟要求的有线互连。本研究采用整体方法探索在计算系统的不同层次上使用短距离无线通信的含义，从电路和通信到网络和系统架构。这些暗示有可能为集成设计和方法铺平道路，以便在下一代计算系统的芯片间通信基础设施中整合无线功能。这项研究的智力价值在于，用多点、低延迟、无线系统取代传统的低带宽串行通信，将使许多计算系统得到改进，如低延迟、容错、可重构带宽供应和更低成本。该研究的更广泛影响是整个计算系统平台的垂直参与和协同设计，从该系统环境中使用的无线电路到广播网络协议和系统架构含义。这项研究的潜在好处包括改善用于云计算的机架式服务器的功耗和容错性，以及降低成本和增加嵌入式应用（如未来的第四代蜂窝电话）的功能。在GOALI行业合作伙伴的支持下，该项目通过在学术和行业合作伙伴所在地积极指导，提高了代表性不足群体学生的参与度。

The objective of this research is to advance the fundamental understanding of the benefits and limitations of using short-range, low-latency, wireless communications in a conventional, multichip computing environment. Traditional computing platforms, consisting of many integrated circuits on a single printed circuit board, incorporate several types of wireline interconnects with varying bandwidth and latency requirements. This research takes a holistic approach in exploring the implications of using short-range wireless communication on different levels of the computing system, from the circuits and communications to the networking and system architecture. These implications have the potential to pave the way to integrated designs and methodologies for incorporating wireless capability in the inter-chip communication infrastructure of next generation computing systems.The intellectual merit of the research is the insight that the replacement of conventional, lower bandwidth serial communications with a multi-point, low-latency, wireless system will enable a number of computing system improvements, such as low latency, fault tolerance, reconfigurable bandwidth provisioning, and lower cost.The broader impact of the research is the vertical involvement and co-design of the entire computing system platform, from the wireless circuits utilized in this system environment to the broadcast network protocols and system architectural implications. Potential benefits of this research include improving power consumption and fault tolerance in rack-mounted servers for cloud computing, as well as reducing cost and increased functionality in embedded applications such as future fourth generation cellular phones. With support from the GOALI industry partner, this project improves participation by students from underrepresented groups by active mentoring at the academic and industry partner locations.