Dependable optical multistage interconnection networks

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Multistage Interconnection Networks (MINs) are used in multiprocessor systems to connect processors with other processors or memory modules.  These networks provide a compromise between networks of low latency and high cost such as the crossbar, and networks of high latency and low cost such as the shared bus.  Moreover, MINs can be pipelined to provide a bandwidth that is comparable to that of the crossbar for specific traffic patterns.  A MIN with electro-optic switch elements (SEs) offers a higher channel bandwidth and lower communication latency than the electronic MIN.  A large body of work has been conducted on the structure, operation, and performance of Optical multistage interconnection networks OMINs.  However, two paths, sharing a switch in an OMIN can experience some undesirable coupling from one path to another within the switch. This is called optical crosstalk.  Due to crosstalk, traditional routing and scheduling algorithms that are used for MIN implemented by electronic switching are not applicable for OMIN.       In this research, we will consider how to schedule and route messages through an OMIN efficiently. We would also try to come up with new OMIN designs that are better than previously proposed designs. We will extend our investigation to other communication patterns in OMINs such as multicasting, broadcasting, all-to-all personalized exchange, and gossiping.  We will also look at the fault-tolerant aspect of OMIN.  That is to try to investigate different OMIN designs that have built-in redundancy to tolerate switching element faults and processor faults, and to come up with dependable communication algorithms and dependable OMIN that can tolerate faults.