Abstract: A Parallel Round-Robin Arbiter (PRRA) system and method for arbitrating among N requesters. A plurality of leaf nodes that correspond to the N requesters form a directed ring of a hierarchical decision tree, wherein the leaf nodes are operable to propagate requests from the requesters. Each leaf node is provided with status logic operable to transmit its priority status for resolution of requests by the decision tree. Logic associated with the decision tree's nodes is operable to hierarchically resolve the requests propagated by the leaf nodes, wherein each leaf node is operable to transmit its grant to one of its immediate leaf node neighbors coupled to it via the directed ring for influencing the neighboring leaf node's priority status logic.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing channel scheduling algorithms in an optical router wherein a scheduler operates pursuant to an algorithm and is capable of determining the availability of outbound data channels capable of carrying a data packet of duration B. The scheduler is further capable of selecting one channel from available data channels and assigning the data packet to the selected channel. The scheduler then updates state information of the selected data channel, but if no data channel is available to carry the data packet the data packet is dropped.