A broad strategy to detect crosstalk faults in network-on-chip interconnects

In this paper, we propose a method to detect crosstalk faults within and among channels of mesh NoCs, using a global test strategy that is based on a particular set of test paths and test packet. All test paths must be activated simultaneously without resource conflict. The test packet is built using Maximal Aggressor Fault (MAF) vectors. The test strategy is capable of detecting 100% of the considered faults. The test application time grows quadratically with the NoC increase, but can be drastically improved by means of two alternative approaches also proposed in the paper. Those local approaches are based on simultaneously testing multiple victims or NoC regions unlikely to aggress each other. The test time then grows linearly and shows a very modest derivative.