A Survey of fault models and fault tolerance methods for 2D bus-based multi-core systems and TSV based 3D NOC many-core systems

TL;DR

This survey comprehensively reviews fault models, failure mechanisms, and fault tolerance techniques across 2D bus-based multi-core and 3D TSV-based NOC many-core systems, highlighting recent advances and challenges.

Contribution

It provides an integrated overview of fault tolerance methods from logic to hardware levels for both 2D and 3D multi-core architectures, including novel insights into TSV-based 3D NOC systems.

Findings

Analysis of fault models and failure mechanisms in multi-core systems

Evaluation of fault mitigation techniques at various system layers

Discussion on defect tolerance and diagnosis methods for 3D NOC systems

Abstract

Reliability has taken centre stage in the development of high-performance computing processors. A Surge of interest is noticeable in recent times in formulating fault and failure models, understanding failure mechanism and strategizing fault mitigation methods for improving the reliability of the system. The article presents a congregation of concepts illustrated one after the other for a better understanding of damages caused by radiation, relevant fault models, and effects of faults. We examine the state of art fault mitigation techniques at the logical layer for digital CMOS based design and SRAM based FPGA. CMOS SRAM structure is the same for both digital CMOS and FPGA. Understanding of resilient SRAM based FPGA is necessary for developing resilient prototypes and it facilitates a faster integration of digital CMOS designs. At the micro-architectural and architectural layer, error detection and recovery methods are discussed for bus-based multi-core systems. The Through silicon via based 3D Network on chip is the prospective solution for integrating many cores on single die. A suitable interconnection approach for petascale computing on many-core systems. The article presents an elaborate discussion on fault models, failure mechanisms, resilient 3D routers, defect tolerance methods for the TSV based 3D NOC many-core systems. Core redundancy, self-diagnosis and distributed diagnosis at the hardware level are examined for many-core systems. The article presents a gamut of fault tolerance solutions from logic level to processor core level in a multi-core and many-core scenario.