Mapping a Pipelined Data Path onto a Network-on-Chip

During the last years, networks-on-chip (NoCs) have become a true alternative for the design of complex integrated systems-on-chip (SoC). Much effort has been spent for research on functionalities, mechanisms, and quality-of-service (QoS) features in NoCs. Hence, a broad and multi-faceted design space exists but leaves open, which mechanisms and design paradigms actually tip the scales for the chosen application domain. In this paper, we discuss the level of QoS needed in a specific NoC for a packet processing application. This is done in the light of preliminary investigations for the redesign of an existing packet processing system because that system's current architecture exhibits drawbacks regarding performance and further scalability. Therefore, we considered to take advantage of an NoC communication architecture. A simple NoC was developed, which knowingly omits sophisticated QoS mechanisms. Relying on the lessons, which have learned from the history and development of the Internet, we argue that a simple and plain NoC suffices for applications as the one discussed.