Fault-tolerant multistage interconnection network

In this paper, a new fault-tolerant Banyan (FTB) network design is proposed . The rules to add extra hardware and links to the regular Banyan network i n order to get the new FTB; network are presented. The work includes a modu lar design for a new 2 x 2 switch element that can be configured in differe nt well-defined modes. In case an error occurs in the function of a switch in the FTB network, the switch can be bypassed and other switch in the netw ork replaces its role. The most attractive feature of the new design is tha t it can maintain the original (regular) Banyan topology in the presence of faults. Consequently, the system performance will not be affected due to t he occurrence of tolerable faults in the interconnection network. This feat ure makes our design different from all fault-tolerant designs. Moreover, m ultiple faults can be tolerated in the proposed FTB; network. The FTB netwo rk will be very powerful in safety critical systems and applications where error can lead to catastrophic events.