Novel Benes Network Routing Algorithm and Hardware Implementation

Benes/Clos networks constitute a particularly important part of interconnection networks and have been used in numerous areas, such as multi-processor systems, data centers and on-chip networks. They have also attracted great interest in the field of optical communications due to the increasing popularity of optical switches based on these architectures. There are numerous algorithms
aimed at routing these types of networks, with varying degrees of utility. Linear algorithms, such as Sun Tsu and Opferman, were historically the first attempt to standardize the routing procedure of this types of networks. They require matrix-based calculations, which are very demanding in terms of resources and in some cases involve backtracking, which impairs their efficiency. Parallel solutions, such as Lee’s algorithm, were introduced later and provide a different answer that satisfy the requirements of high-performance networks. They are, however, extremely complex and demand even more resources. In both cases, hardware implementations reflect their algorithmic characteristics.
In this paper, we attempt to design an algorithm that is simple enough to be implemented on a small field programmable gate array board while simultaneously efficient enough to be used in practical scenarios. The design itself is of a generic nature; therefore, its behavior across different sizes (8 x 8, 16 x 16, 32 x 32, 64 x 64) is examined. The platform of implementation is a medium range FPGA specifically selected to represent the average hardware prototyping device. In the end, an overview of the algorithm’s imprint on the device is presented alongside other approaches, which include both hard and soft computing techniques.