Express virtual channels in a packet-switched on-chip connection network

摘要

A method comprising: receiving an express flow control unit from a source node of a packet switched network over an express virtual channel; and forwarding the express flow control unit directly to an output link to send to a sink node based on a comparison of a starvation counter and a starvation threshold, wherein the starvation counter is updated each time a normal flow control unit is connected to the express flow control unit is directed to buffering one or more intermediate router nodes along one or more predefined paths between pairs of nodes without the express flow control unit being buffered and routed through a router pipeline each router node, and wherein the express flow control unit is preferably treated over other non-express flow control units in the packet switched network, the express flow control unit being transmitted on the express virtual channel.