Patent ID: 10855609

Abstract:
An interconnect is provided that has a plurality of nodes, and a ring network to which each of the nodes is connected to allow packets to be transmitted between nodes. For an ordered sequence of packets one of the nodes is arranged as a source node to add each packet of the ordered sequence on to the ring network, and another of the nodes is arranged as a destination node to remove each packet of the ordered sequence from the ring network. The source node is enabled to add a packet of the ordered sequence on to the ring network without waiting for a previously added packet of the ordered sequence to be removed from the ring network by the destination node. When the destination node is unable to accept a given packet of the ordered sequence that is currently being presented to the destination node by the ring network, that given packet remains on the ring network and continues to be transmitted around the ring network such that after a respin period that given packet will be presented again to the destination node. The destination node is then arranged to prevent acceptance of at least any other packets of the ordered sequence subsequently presented to the destination node by the ring network until the destination node has accepted the given packet following at least one respin period. This can improve the efficiency of the ring network in the handling of ordered sequences of packets, whilst still ensuring the ordering constraints are met.