Reliability and Fail-Softness Analysis of Multistage Interconnection Networks

This paper presents a method for reliability analysis of multistage interconnection networks implemented with crossbar switching elements. Analytic estimates for the network reliability are derived, and the existence of a switching element with optimal fanout ensuring maximal network reliability is shown. A general quantitative measure for fail-softness evaluation of multistage interconnection networks is introduced. Under a single-fault assumption, the fail-softness improves with an Increase In network size.