Networked System on a Chip for C4ISR

The overall goal of the Reconfigurable Networked Smart System on Chip (ReNSS) is to provide a network-oriented C4ISR chip. This will include designing (1) energy-efficient, intelligent sensor processing and fusion modules, (2) reconfigurable hardware for reliable communication and processing capabilities, (3) routing algorithms for a self-organizing network, and (4) an innovative fabrication method to combine these technologies onto a single energy-conservative VLSI chip. To advance the networking and C4ISR system capabilities further, this innovation can provide self-configuring, self-healing, fault-tolerant communications that also communicate with the fixed, wired network infrastructure. This hybrid network architecture enables sensors or C2 reporting and messaging functions to collect and process data both independently and cooperatively, as opposed to the centralized HOST data processing approach. The proposed solution focuses on reducing the latency of Network Reconfiguration in a distributed control infrastructure for component-level-based automation systems. It also will allow the creation of self-forming networks that can expand and contract on demand, extend into damaged areas with unknown infrastructures, and communicate between ad hoc elements as needed. Finally, the proposed effort will consider emerging automated tools for specification, design, implementation, testing, and verification for the chip design and development process.