System and method for controlling a number of outstanding data transactions within an integrated circuit

An integrated circuit comprising:

• a plurality of components, wherein each of the components is configured to assert a read request to read data stored externally to the integrated circuit;
• one or more interfaces coupled to the plurality of components, wherein each interface is configured to output the read request asserted by one of the plurality of components and to receive data in response to outputting the request;
• an interconnect coupled to perform one or more data transactions to transmit the data from one of the one or more interfaces to one or more of the plurality of components;
• a controller coupled to the plurality of components and the one or more interfaces, wherein in response to the read request asserted by one of the plurality of components, the controller is configured to inhibit performance of a read transaction initiated by the read request dependent upon a comparison of a total number of outstanding data transactions to a maximum allowable number of outstanding data transactions.