INTERCONNECTION

NETWORKS

Prof. Varsha Poddar

Department of CSE
Requirement of interconnection structures

• Connection of CPUs , IOPs to input-output

devices and memory modules.

• Connection between components having

distinct physical configurations.

• Several different forms of interconnects.

Few examples of interconnections

• Time-shared common bus

• Multiport memory
• Crossbar switch
• Multistage switching network
• Hypercube system
Time-Shared Common Bus
Time-Shared Common Bus(Contd.)

• Multiple number of processors connected through a

common path to a memory unit.

• Only one processor can communicate with memory

or with any other processor at a given time slot.

• A processor wishing to initiate a transfer, first

needs to determine whether the transfer bus is free
or not. Else it has to wait.
Time-Shared Common Bus(Contd.)

• The processor issues a command to inform the

destination unit, what task is to be performed.

• The receiver recognizes the address in the bus and

responds to the control signal from sender, after which
the transfer is initiated.

• Problem – 1. Transfer conflicts.

Solution – Bus controller that
introduces priorities among the
requesting units.
• Problem – 2. restricted to only one transfer
at a time (overall transfer rate is reduced)
Solution – Local buses are introduced for
internal system transfer & communication.
Multiport Memory System
Employs separate bus system between each
memory module and each processor.
Multiport Memory System(Contd.)
• Each processor bus-
– Is connected to each memory module.
– Has address, data and control lines for
communication with memory module.

• Each memory module has 4 ports – each

accommodates one processor bus.
Multiport Memory System(Contd.)

• Memory access conflicts resolved by assigning

priorities fixed to each memory port.

• Priority is assigned with physical positioning of

each processor , e.g.
CPU1 > CPU2 > CPU3 > CPU4
Multiport Memory System(Contd.)

Advantage:
1. High transfer rate as multiple path between
processors & memory modules.

Disadvantage:
1. Expensive memory control logic.
2. Large number of cables & connectors.
 Crossbar Switch
A number of cross-points that are placed at the intersection
of processor bus and memory module paths.
Crossbar Switch(Contd.)

• Each cross-point has a switch that determines

the path from a processor to a memory module.

• Each switch has a control logic to set up a

transfer path between a processor and a
memory.

• Examines the address placed in the bus to

determine its perticular memory being
addressed.
Crossbar Switch(Contd.)
Resolves multiple requests for access to the same
memory module – on a predetermined priority
basis.
Crossbar Switch(Contd.)
Working principle :
• Cross-point switch = multiplexer + arbitration logic
• Arbitration logic => priority encoder

• Each processor generates REQ to arbitration module, the

P.E. selects the processor with highest priority.
• Arbitration module returns ACK signal to selected
processor.
• Processor initiates memory operation(REQ) after receiving
ACK.
• MUX is used to select one processor out of multiple
processors, based on select combination generated by
arbitration module.
Detailed version of a crossbar switch
Crossbar Switch(Contd.)

• Advantage:
Simultaneous transfer from all memory
modules as there is separate path
associated with each module.

• Disadvantage:
The hardware required to implement one
switch becomes quite large & complicated.
THANK YOU