Abstract: A data processing circuit on an integrated circuit and an associated method of processing data in the data processing circuit is provided, the data processing circuit comprising a network operable in successive time-slots; a plurality of data processing units interconnected by the network, and arranged to send streams of messages concurrently through the network, each stream comprising messages that occupy shareable resources in the network in a periodically repeating selection of successive time-slots, a period of repetition (P) being the same for all the streams; node circuits in the network arranged to forward the messages along multi-node paths through the network, each particular stream being assigned a respective stream specific path along which the node circuits forward all messages of the particular stream, the node circuits being arranged to decide whether to forward or discard each message dependent on a measure of seniority of the message in its particular stream.

Abstract: Data is processed in a circuit that contains a plurality of data processing units interconnected by a network of node circuits. The node circuits use resources on a time slot multiplexing basis. Stream are started between source data processing units and destination data processing units. Each stream contains messages that occupy the resources in a periodically repeating selection of time-slots. The period of repetition is a network period, which is the same for all the streams. The node circuits forward all the messages of a particular stream through the network along the nodes in a stream specific path assigned to the particular stream. The node circuits decide whether to forward or discard to forward each message dependent on a measure of seniority of the message in its particular stream. A node circuit prevents forwarding of a more junior message for which insufficient resources are left by forwarding of more senior messages from the particular node circuit.