Automating parallel simulation using parallel time streams
ACM Transactions on Modeling and Computer Simulation (TOMACS)
| Hi-index | 0.00 |
Parallel use of multiple channels in WDM star networks requiresthat either each station is equipped with one receiver per channelor we have to deal with destination conflicts whenever a station isreached by more packets than it is able to receive. Earlierproposed networks resolved destination conflicts either after theyoccur (applying the detect-and-retransmit-if-lost principle) orbefore packets are transmitted (applying therequest-schedule-then-transmit principle). This paper introducesnetworks in which such conflicts are resolved whilst packets are enroute to their destinations, using a central arbiter station (CA)located at the star coupler. CA detects destination conflicts,buffers packets which would otherwise be lost, and forwards them totheir destinations as soon as their destinations are free toreceive them. Buffer operations at CA are streamlined, allowingeither electronic implementation or a simple optical delay-lineimplementation. Their performance is evaluated by studying theirdelay and throughput characteristics, protocol computationalcomplexity, E/O conversion overhead, and hardware demands.