Support for high-priority traffic in VLSI communication switches

The design of small n×n switches that can be used to construct communication networks that provide low-latency communication for high-priority traffic, which is required for both multistage interconnection networks used in multiprocessors and direct networks used in multicomputers. The focus is on the design of the internal buffers, specifically on the design of buffers that provide non-FIFO handling of messages. Alternative designs and configurations are evaluated in the context of a multistage interconnection network. Simulation shows that a slightly modified version of the recently introduced dynamically allocated multiqueue buffer can provide superior support for high-priority traffic