Power-aware NoC router using central forecasting-based dynamic virtual channel allocation

In this paper, we propose a high performance central dynamic virtual channel allocation mechanism for on-chip routers. This central management unit devotes each input port a number of virtual channels (VC) among a shared VC bank based on a traffic forecasting technique. The forecasting technique exploits the link and VC utilizations in predicting the traffic. Based on the predicted traffic, for each input port, the number of active virtual channels may be increased, decreased, or kept unchanged. The clock-gating power management technique is used to activate/deactivate the VCs. Simulation results using uniform and Negative Exponential Distribution (NED) traffic profiles show that a considerable power savings in the virtual channels and overall router power consumption may be achieved especially in low traffic loads. The area overhead of the technique is negligible.