The network calculator for NoC buffer space evaluation

In this paper we discuss the problem of choosing the buffer size in the Network-on-Chip routers. This problem is closely related to other problems that arise in NoC's design - choosing of interconnection structure between nodes and data paths in the system. It is a complex multicriteria problem. The design space exploration approach is widely used to solve such problems. In this approach each possible system configuration corresponds to a point in the Design Space. For each point, the user evaluates whether it satisfies its requirements and determine the future direction of motion in Design Space. The network calculators are used to calculate values of the NoC's parameters at each point. We consider the existing methods of buffer sizes calculation, their capabilities and limitations. We suggest the method of buffer space calculation for NoC with arbitrary topology and the algorithm of the corresponding network calculator.