DISTRIBUTED ARBITRATION FOR SHARED DATA PATH

Passage of data packets on a data pipeline is arbitrated in a distributed manner along the pipeline. Multiple data arbiters each operate to merge data from a respective data source to the data pipeline at a distinct point in the pipeline. At each stage, a multiplexer selectively passes, to the data pipeline, an upstream data packet or a local data packet from the respective data source. A register stores an indication of data packets passed by the multiplexer based on the respective data source originating the data packet. A controller controls the multiplexer to select the upstream data packet or the local data packet based on the indication of data packets passed by the multiplexer.