On-chip local area network

Abstract

A computer chip having on-chip internetworked modules and implementing a network protocol for on-chip and, also preferably, off-chip data transfers. The modules on chip are interconnected through a plurality of on-chip packet-switched local area networks or LANs. The familiar Internet topology may be implemented on-chip with each module being treated as a “host.” A plurality of network interconnect (e.g. routers, gateways, etc.) may also be provided to interconnect the plurality of LANs. The computer chip implements a network protocol for on-chip data transfer. The network protocol may be TCP/IP. In that case, the computer chip itself may be treated as an Internet. This flexible chip architecture in that the computer chip may have modules clustered conveniently according to functionality, and the various modules may interact with one another without overburdening the chip packing density. An addressing scheme based on a modified TCP/IP protocol and involving an internetworked-chip module address (ICMA) is disclosed. Intermodule and internetwork data communication on the chip may be easily accomplished using internetworked-chip module addresses.