Explanation of Performance Degradation in Turn Model

Abstract

The Turn model routing algorithms for mesh interconnection network achieve partial adaptivity without any virtual channels. However, the routing performance measured by simulations is worse than with the simple deterministic routing algorithm. Authors have explained these results simply by uneven dynamic load through the network. However, this phenomenon has not been studied further. This paper investigates performance degradation with Turn model and drawbacks of partially adaptive routing in comparison with the deterministic routing, and it introduces some new concepts. Our simulations deal with individual channels and results are presented by 3D graphs, rather than by commonly used averages. An additional parameter--channel occupation, which is consistent with queuing theory commonly used in many proposed analytical models, is introduced. We also propose a new structure, the Channel Directions Dependency Graph (CDDG). It provides a new approach in analysis, helps in understanding of dynamic routing behaviour, and it can be generalized in other routing algorithms.