Self-restructuring of Mesh-Connected Processor Arrays with Spares Assigned on Rotated Orthogonal Side

Abstract

AbstractWe propose a new restructuring method for mesh-connected processor arrays (PAs) using single track shift with spare processing elements (PEs) on the orthogonal two or four sides. First, a method called “ROT method” for mesh-connected PAs with spare PEs on the orthogonal sides is described. Next, the method is applied to mesh-conected PAs with spare PEs on the four sides. The effect of the method is evaluated by computer simulation and it is shown that ROT method makes array reliabilites fairly higher than those of the existing methods for mesh-connected PAs with the same number of spare PEs and the same network structure. The hardware realization of ROT method is also discussed and it is seen that the method can be realized as a simple built-in circuit. The circuit can be embedded in a target PA to reconstruct the PA with faulty PEs very quickly. This implies that the proposed method is especially effective in enhancing the run-time reliability of a PA in mission critical systems where first self-reconfiguration is required without an external host computer or manual maintenance operations.KeywordsFault-toleranceMesh arraySingle track shiftSelf-restructuringBuilt-in circuit