BIASED ROUTING ARBITRATION OF MESSAGE TRAFFIC IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

摘要

A data communicating device, having a number of inputs whereat data is received for communication from one of a number of outputs of the device, includes apparatus for selecting one of the inputs based upon a comparison of accumulated bias values that can change over time when an input is kept waiting. Each input is provided an assigned bias value from which is developed the accumulated bias value that is compared with that of other inputs arbitrating for access to an output. The output selects one of the inputs, based upon the comparison, and the accumulated bias value of the selected input is diminished by the sum of the assigned bias values of the inputs participating in the arbitration, but not selected, while the accumulated bias values of the other participants are each increased by their corresponding assigned bias values. Thereby, numbers of inputs having data destined for the same output will have their chance of gaining access to the output increased the longer they wait; conversely, inputs which do gain access have their chances for immediate subsequent access decreased in favor of allowing other inputs access.