The benefits of 3D networks-on-chip as shown with LDPC decoding

In this work we describe our network-on-chip (NoC) simulator, which fills the gap between architectural level and circuit level NoC simulation. The core is a fast, high level transaction-based NoC simulator, which accesses carefully compiled power, timing, and area models for basic NoC components built from detailed circuit simulation. It makes use of the architectural evaluator, which performs a detailed global interconnect analysis within the framework of industry-standard design tools. Using low density parity check decoding as a test vehicle, the NoC simulator is used in an NoC design study comparing 2D and 3D integrated circuits, and shows a method by which on-chip networks can be optimized.