Abstract: Packets of real-time media streams are processed at a network node such within a desired maximum latency less than the frame interval of the streams. The media streams have respective packet rates all substantially equal to a nominal packet rate and respective packet arrival times that are generally non-deterministic. The streams are assigned to digital signal processors (DSPs), each capable of processing up to a predetermined maximum number of the streams within real-time constraints. The number of streams assigned to each DSP is less than the predetermined maximum number and no greater than the quotient of a desired maximum processing latency less than the frame interval and the DSP processing latency for a single packet. For example, if the desired maximum processing latency is 5 ms. and the processing latency for one packet is 1.6 ms., then only three streams are assigned to a DSP (5/1.6˜3), even if the DSP can process many more than 3 streams in real time.

Abstract: Call progress analysis is performed in a telephone system employing different in-band signaling plans are used. From address information for a call destination in a call initiation message, it is determined which type of in-band signaling plans is utilized by equipment associated with the call destination, for example by examining country codes in a dialed telephone number. Based upon the determined signaling plan type, a corresponding type of call progress analysis resource is selected and allocated for use with the call. The analysis resource may include a digital signal processor (DSP) programmed with an analysis routine tailored to the determined signaling plan. The DSP may be pre-programmed with such a routine or may be loaded at call time with analysis parameters appropriate to the signaling plan. The telephone system may employ a packet network and packet-based telephony transmission, a media gateway controller or a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) proxy server, an a media server.