System to improve data packet routing in a data processing device and associated methods

A method to improve data packet routing in a data processing device, the method comprising:

• connecting a plurality of functional modules via communication buses;
• assigning each command packet that traverses the communication buses its own channel with its own pool of credits;
• routing data packets on the communication buses from one of the plurality of functional modules to any other of the plurality of functional modules based upon the credits;
• and
• requesting a route test by any of the plurality of functional modules without credits to send the data packets on a particular channel.

A computer program product embodied in a tangible media comprising:

• computer readable program codes coupled to the tangible media to improve data packet routing in a data processing device, the computer readable program codes configured to cause the program to:
• connect a plurality of functional modules via communication buses;
• assign each command packet that traverses the communication buses its own channel with its own pool of credits;
• routing data packets on the communication buses from one of the plurality of functional modules to any other of the plurality of functional modules based upon the credits;
• and
• requesting a route test by any of the plurality of functional modules without credits to send the data packets on a particular channel.