Abstract: A system for scheduling the attribution of hardware output resources to data packets handled by different service providers is provided. The system includes an extraction device which extracts a Quality of Service parameter included in a packet header; a random value generator; a programmable key attribution device attributing a priority key to a packet depending on the Quality of Service parameter and on the generated random value, according to programmable rules; a scheduling device that includes a command generator generating packet switching commands in an order depending on the value of the priority key attributed to each packet header; and a switching device routing the packets towards hardware output resources in the order of the generated packet switching commands.

Abstract: A data switching system for a satellite in a satellite data transmission system which relays from a terrestrial sending area to a terrestrial receiving area via the satellite data including payload data and associated control data which constitutes respective switching requests and provides data on the switching of the payload data. The system analyzes data on the basis of a signal conveying the control data and switches the payload data as a function of the result of the analysis of the associated control data to at least one of a plurality of sending ports for sending it to the receiving area. Only the control data is analyzed. The payload data is not analyzed.

Abstract: System (1) for scheduling the attribution of hardware output resources to data packets (P) handled by different service providers, comprising: an extraction device (2) extracting a Quality of Service parameter included in a packet header (PH); a random value generator (34); a programmable key attribution device (3) attributing a priority key ( ) to a packet depending on the Quality of Service parameter and on the generated random value, according to programmable rules; a scheduling device (4) comprising a command generator generating packet switching commands in an order depending on the value of the priority key attributed to each packet header; a switching device (6) routing the packets towards hardware output resources in the order of the generated packet switching commands.

Abstract: A scheduling system and method operable with a burst switching element wherein control information is provided to the switching element via a separate Burst Header that precedes data bursts on ingress data channels. In one embodiment, a series of scheduling determinations are made in a select order such that packet treatment (i.e., processing for transmission, buffering, or packet dropping) is optimized with respect to packet loss and available buffer space. In another embodiment, control information received in the Burst Headers is utilized to reserve output data channel bandwidth to future incoming data packets in a forward-looking scheduling mechanism.

Abstract: A scheduling system and method operable with a burst switching element wherein control information is provided to the switching element via a separate Burst Header that precedes data bursts on ingress data channels. In one embodiment, a series of scheduling determinations are made in a select order such that packet treatment (i.e., processing for transmission, buffering, or packet dropping) is optimized with respect to packet loss and available buffer space. In another embodiment, control information received in the Burst Headers is utilized to reserve output data channel bandwidth to future incoming data packets in a forward-looking scheduling mechanism.

Abstract: A data switching system for a satellite in a satellite data transmission system which relays from a terrestrial sending area to a terrestrial receiving area via the satellite data including payload data and associated control data which constitutes respective switching requests and provides data on the switching of the payload data. The system analyzes data on the basis of a signal conveying the control data and switches the payload data as a function of the result of the analysis of the associated control data to at least one of a plurality of sending ports for sending it to the receiving area. Only the control data is analyzed. The payload data is not analyzed.