Modelling and analysis of pipelined circuit switching in interconnection networks with bursty traffic and hot-spot destinations

Pipelined circuit switching (PCS) that combines the advantages of both circuit switching and wormhole switching is an efficient method for passing messages in interconnection networks. Analytical modelling is a cost-effective tool and plays an important role in achieving a clear understanding of the network performance. However, most of the existing models for PCS are unable to capture the realistic nature of message behaviours generated by real-world applications, which have a significant impact on the design and performance of communication networks. This paper presents a new analytical model for PCS in interconnection networks in the presence of bursty and correlated message arrivals coupled with hot-spot destinations, which can capture the bursty message arrival process and non-uniform distribution of message destinations. Such a traffic pattern has been found in many practical communication environments. The accuracy of the proposed analytical model is validated through extensive simulation experiments. The model is then applied to investigate the effects of the bursty message arrivals and hot-spot destinations on the performance of interconnection networks with PCS.

► This study presents the modelling of PCS in interconnection networks under bursty traffic and hot-spot destinations.
► The impact of bursty traffic and hot-spot destinations on network performance is investigated.
► This study reveals the virtual channel flow control can reconcile the negative effects caused by such traffic patterns.