Enhanced integrated rate based available bit rate scheduler

Abstract

An available bit rate scheduler for asynchronous transfer mode communication of a plurality of cells over a communication network in which each cell is characterized by a virtual circuit communication channel and in which each virtual circuit is characterized by one or more profiles. Each profile has a group of sub-profiles, with each sub-profile having a unique bandwidth allocation component. The scheduler incorporates a profile queue buffer for receiving, pairing and storing the profiles and sub-profiles and, a link list processor coupled to the profile queue buffer to receive the profile, sub-profile pairs. The link list processor detects null profile, sub-profile pairs in the buffer and, over-write them with a selected one of the virtual circuit profile, sub-profile pairs. A valid pending register of length p bits, and a memory are coupled to the link list processor. The memory stores pointers to link lists of virtual circuits associated with each of the profile, sub-profile pairs received by the link list processor. The pointers comprise, for each of the link lists, a head pointer to a first entry in the link list and a next pointer to a virtual circuit in the link list last associated by the link list processor with one of the profile, sub-profile pairs.