Abstract: A method of grouping interrupts from a time-dependent data storage means in accordance with the types of the interrupts, the method comprising the steps of providing each part of the data storage means with an indicator of an event associated with the part, generating interrupts upon the occurrence of events in different parts of the data storage means, allocating interrupts associated with substantially the same part of the data storage means to a same processing means.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a datum from a time-dependent data storage means, the datum being that most recently acquired before the occurrence of an allocated transmission slot; the method comprising the steps of: writing a first acquired datum to a first side of the data storage means; transferring the first datum to a second side of the data storage means; and writing a next datum, acquired before the occurrence of the next allocated transmission slot, to the first side of the data storage means; wherein the method further comprises the step of: replacing the first acquired datum in the second side of the data storage means with the next acquired datum; and transmitting the next acquired datum from the data storage means at the next allocated transmission slot.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a datum from a time-dependent data storage means, the datum being that most recently acquired before the occurrence of an allocated transmission slot; the method comprising the steps of: writing a first acquired datum to a first side of the data storage means; transferring the first datum to a second side of the data storage means; and writing a next datum, acquired before the occurrence of the next allocated transmission slot, to the first side of the data storage means; wherein the method further comprises the step of: replacing the first acquired datum in the second side of the data storage means with the next acquired datum; and transmitting the next acquired datum from the data storage means at the next allocated transmission slot.

Abstract: A method of grouping interrupts from a time-dependent data storage means in accordance with the types of the interrupts, the method comprising the steps of providing each part of the data storage means with an indicator of an event associated with the part, generating interrupts upon the occurrence of events in different parts of the data storage means, allocating interrupts associated with substantially the same part of the data storage means to a same processing means.

Abstract: A data communication unit comprises a host processor operably coupled to a communication controller having a plurality of buffers comprising a plurality of data elements. The plurality of data elements comprise a lock data element for access by the host processor to acquire sole use of a respective buffer of the plurality of buffers and a commit data element for access by the host processor once sole use of the respective buffer has been acquired wherein use of the lock data element enables the host processor to un-commit a transmit buffer that has previously been committed for transmission by the communication controller.