Patent ID: 6791990
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: H04L,H04Q

Abstract:
A priority selector for data switching apparatus, the priority selector comprising a plurality of buffers operable to receive control information relating to data to be transmitted through the data switching apparatus, each buffer being arranged to store control information having a respective one of a predetermined number of priority levels and each buffer being arranged to deliver an overflow signal when its contents reach a first predetermined level, storage operable to store digital priority symbols representative of the different priority levels denoted by control information received by the buffers, a random number generator operable to generate a succession of numbers each of which selects a corresponding priority symbol from the storage, a gate responsive to the receipt of the overflow signal from any one of the buffers and operable with a predetermined probability of changing the priority symbol generated by the storage to that designating the buffer giving rise to the overflow signal to change the priority symbol generated by the storage, and a selector responsive to the output of the gate to select an output from that buffer designated by that output.