Multiple level minimum logic network

A method of transmitting a message from a node N to a target destination in a first, a second and a third dimension of three dimensions in an interconnect structure arranged as a plurality of nodes in a topology of the three dimensions, the method comprising the steps of:

• determining whether a node en route to the target destination in the first and second dimensions and advancing one level toward the destination level of the third dimension is blocked by another message;
• advancing the message one level toward the destination level of the third dimension when the en route node is not blocked;
• and
• moving the message in the first and second dimensions along a constant level in the third dimension otherwise.

A communication interconnect structure for transmitting messages, comprising:

• a plurality of nodes arranged in a structure including:
• a hierarchy of levels from a source level to a destination level;
• a plurality of nodes spanning a cross-section of a level;
• and
• a plurality of nodes in a cross-section span;
• a plurality of interconnect lines coupling the nodes in the structure including for a node N on a level L:
• a message input interconnect line coupled to a node on a previous level L+1;
• a message input interconnect line coupled to a node on the level L;
• a message output interconnect line coupled to a node on a subsequent level L−1;
• and
• a message output interconnect line coupled to a node on a subsequent level L−1.

A method of communicating messages in an interconnect structure comprising the steps of:

• arranging a plurality of nodes in a structure including a plurality of hierarchical levels from a source level to a destination level, a plurality of nodes spanning a cross-section of a level and a plurality of nodes in a cross-section span, the nodes having an input connection on the same level, an input connection on a previous level, an output connection on the same level and an output connection on a subsequent level;
• specifying a destination node in the destination level for receiving a message;
• originating the message at a node in the source level;
• communicating a message from node to node including the steps of:
• determining at a node whether a node on a subsequent level is directed toward the destination node;
• determining at a node whether the node on the subsequent level is blocked by another message;
• advancing the message to the node on the subsequent level when the node is directed toward the destination node and a node is unblocked;
• and
• otherwise traversing the message to a node on the same level.

A communication interconnect structure comprising:

• a plurality of nodes;
• and
• a plurality of interconnect lines coupling the nodes, a node X of the plurality of nodes having:
• a message input interconnect line coupled to a node A;
• and
• a message input interconnect line coupled to a node B, the node X accepting a message input from the node A and a message input from the node B with a control interconnect line being coupled between the node A and the node B for communicating a control signal determining a priority between conflicting messages.