Patent ID: 7444424

Claim:
An apparatus for routing data between integrated circuit devices, comprising: an two-dimensional grid of integrated circuit devices; a plurality of communication networks coupling the two-dimensional grid of integrated circuit devices, wherein the plurality of communication networks includes: a first separate communication network configured to move data unidirectionally in a North direction and an East direction along communication lines used by only the first communication network; a second separate communication network configured to move data unidirectionally in the North direction and a West direction along communication lines used by only the second communication network; a third separate communication network configured to move data unidirectionally in a South direction and the East direction along communication lines used by only the third communication network; and a fourth separate communication network configured to move data unidirectionally in the South direction and the West direction along communication lines used by only the fourth communication network; and a routing mechanism configured to route data across the plurality of communication networks as well as into, out of, and through a given integrated circuit within the two-dimensional grid of integrated circuits; whereby a process of routing data across a given communication network only creates a deadlock free cycle within the given communication network; and whereby the process of routing data yields a shortest path between source and destination.