Conquering MPSoC complexity with principles of a self-aware information processing factory

We introduce the idea of an Information Processing Factory as a step towards autonomous many-core platforms in Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and the Internet of Things (IoT). It represents a paradigm shift in platform design moving long term, with robust and independent platform operation in the focus of platform-centric design rather than existing semiconductor device or software technology, as mostly seen today. Such a refocus is not only needed to prepare for the time when technology scaling comes to an end, but is a necessity to manage complexity when networked IT systems not only by far outnumber humans but when their complexity by far exceeds that of human societies. While such applications complexity growth is visible to large parts of the society, and is publicly discussed, it is important to note that the complexity growth equally affects the platforms (computers, communication, storage, etc.) which enable such growing applications. This challenge is partly addressed by the new areas of Cyber-Physical Systems and the Internet-of-Things, but the changing challenges to the operation of complex microelectronic systems is mostly left to computer and software architects, and to semiconductor technology. This perspective paper motivates the necessity for a paradigm shift in IT system design and its application to autonomous systems as a main application.