Simple Hardware for Fast Interprocessor Communication

Abstract:

This paper presents a new approach for implementing point-to-point communication in multiprocessors: STARI, Self-Timed At Receiver's Input. STARI is a hybrid approach combining techniques from self-timed and synchronous designs. STARI designs are immune from clock-skew related problems and can operate faster than either purely synchronous or purely self-timed designs. Using a generic 2.0-mu CMOS process, transmission rates in excess of 250 Mbits/sec can be achieved for each wire connecting communicating processors.