Time multiplexed SONET line processing

An apparatus for processing n number of SONET STS streams, where n is an integer greater than two, comprising:

• a multi-stream processing apparatus which includes
• n number of serial to parallel converters having outputs outputting n number of byte wide data streams, said data streams having an aggregate data rate;
• n number of buffers, each coupled to a respective output of a serial to parallel converter, said buffers having outputs outputting n number of buffered data streams;
• a multiplexer coupled to said outputs of said n number of buffers, said multiplexer having an output outputting byte wide multiplexed data;
• a byte-wide parallel data bus coupled to the output of said multiplexer;
• a pipeline of processing circuits coupled to said data bus;
• a time wheel clock generator having a frequency greater than the aggregate data rate, said clock wheel generator coupled to said pipeline of processing circuits.