Abstract: A method of scheduling the handling of communication channels by a processor assigned to handle a plurality of channels. The method includes determining for each channel, handled by the processor, a target time by which time it should receive processing, selecting one or more of the assigned channels whose data is to be handled next, based on the target times of the channels and when more than one channel is selected, choosing for handling before other channels, at least one of the selected channels based on a consideration directed at minimizing the average processing time of the channels.

Abstract: A method of transmitting signals between a source modem and a destination modem. The method includes transmitting the signals from the source modem, over a first switched network path, to a first interface, encapsulating the at least some of the signals received by the first interface into packets, transmitting the packets from the first interface over a packet-based network to a second interface, removing the encapsulation of the signals at the second interface; and transmitting the data signals from the second interface over a second switched network path to the destination modem.