Systems and methods relate to a network on chip (NoC) which includes one or more channels configured to carry data packets in a first direction, the first direction having an upstream end and a downstream end. A tunnel is configured between an upstream element at the upstream end and a downstream element at the downstream end. The tunnel includes common wires which are shared by the one or more channels. The tunnel is configured to transmit data packets of two or more formats on the common wires based on common signals. common signals comprise data signals to transmit one or more of data, control, or debug information belonging to the data packets on the common wires, and framing signals to control transmission of the data signals on the common wires.