A buffer arbitration communication system, said system including: a first buffer, wherein said first buffer is configured to receive a first packet, wherein said first packet includes at least one first packet word, wherein said first buffer is associated with a first buffer real rank; a second buffer, wherein said second buffer is configured to receive a second packet, wherein said second packet includes at least one second packet word, wherein said second buffer is associated with a second buffer real rank; a data sink, wherein said data sink is configured to receive data words from either said first buffer or said second buffer; a buffer rank calculator, wherein said buffer rank calculator is configured to store said first buffer real rank and said second buffer real rank, wherein said first buffer real rank is increased according to a first stored decay equation for each first packet word transmitted by said first buffer to said sink, wherein said first buffer real rank is decreased according to a first stored recovery equation for each sink transmission cycle during which said first buffer does not transmit a first packet word to said sink, down to a minimum of a predetermined minimum rank for said first buffer, wherein said second buffer real rank is increased according to a second stored decay equation for each second packet word transmitted by said second buffer to said sink, wherein said second buffer real rank is decreased according to a second stored recovery equation for each sink transmission cycle during which said second buffer does not transmit a second packet word to said sink, down to a minimum of a predetermined minimum rank for said second buffer wherein said buffer rank calculator is configured to determine a first buffer absolute rank by rounding said first buffer real rank down to the next whole integer, wherein said buffer rank calculator is configured to determine a second buffer absolute rank by rounding said second buffer real rank down to the next whole integer; and a buffer selector wherein said buffer selector is configured to select which of said first buffer and said second buffer to allow to transmit words to said sink, wherein said buffer selector is configured to select said first buffer when said first buffer absolute rank is less than said second buffer absolute rank and is configured to select said second buffer when said second buffer absolute rank is less than said first buffer absolute rank; and wherein said first stored decay equation differs from said second stored decay equation. a first buffer, wherein said first buffer is configured to receive a first packet, wherein said first packet includes at least one first packet word, wherein said first buffer is associated with a first buffer real rank; a second buffer, wherein said second buffer is configured to receive a second packet, wherein said second packet includes at least one second packet word, wherein said second buffer is associated with a second buffer real rank; a data sink, wherein said data sink is configured to receive data words from either said first buffer or said second buffer; a buffer rank calculator, wherein said buffer rank calculator is configured to store said first buffer real rank and said second buffer real rank, wherein said first buffer real rank is increased according to a first stored decay equation for each first packet word transmitted by said first buffer to said sink, wherein said first buffer real rank is decreased according to a first stored recovery equation for each sink transmission cycle during which said first buffer does not transmit a first packet word to said sink, down to a minimum of a predetermined minimum rank for said first buffer, wherein said second buffer real rank is increased according to a second stored decay equation for each second packet word transmitted by said second buffer to said sink, wherein said second buffer real rank is decreased according to a second stored recovery equation for each sink transmission cycle during which said second buffer does not transmit a second packet word to said sink, down to a minimum of a predetermined minimum rank for said second buffer wherein said buffer rank calculator is configured to determine a first buffer absolute rank by rounding said first buffer real rank down to the next whole integer, wherein said buffer rank calculator is configured to determine a second buffer absolute rank by rounding said second buffer real rank down to the next whole integer; and a buffer selector wherein said buffer selector is configured to select which of said first buffer and said second buffer to allow to transmit words to said sink, wherein said buffer selector is configured to select said first buffer when said first buffer absolute rank is less than said second buffer absolute rank and is configured to select said second buffer when said second buffer absolute rank is less than said first buffer absolute rank; and wherein said first stored decay equation differs from said second stored decay equation.