Hierarchical optical ring interconnection (HORN): scalable interconnection network for multiprocessors and multicomputers

Abstract

A new interconnection network for massively parallel computing is introduced. This network is called a hierarchal optical ring interconnection (HORN). The HORN consists of a single-hop, scalable, constant-degree, strictly nonblocking, fault-tolerant interconnection topology that uses wavelength-division multiple access to provide better utilization of the terahertz bandwidth offered by optics. The proposed optical network integrates the attractive features of hierarchical ring interconnections, e.g., a simple node interface, a constant node degree, better support for the locality of reference, and fault tolerance, with the advantages of optics. The HORN topology is presented, its architectural properties are analyzed, and an optical design methodology for it is described. Furthermore, a brief feasibility study of the HORN is conducted. The study shows that the topology is highly amenable to optical implementation with commercially available optical elements.

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“…Moreover using the hierarchical networks to decrease the diameters and average distances is worth to study topics, especially the networks exceed the thousand nodes. The hierarchical ring network architectures can decrease the network diameters [2][3][4].…”

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