Method of processing bus data

A method for operating communication apparatus disposed between a device comprising a processor and a bus, said method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of types of data packets via said bus, said types comprising at least one type of data packets having a high priority determined by timing criticality and at least one type of other data packets having lower priority;
• processing received data packets before making available said received data packets to said processor, said processing of received data packets comprising:
• evaluating each said received data packet in accordance with predetermined criteria;
• rejecting any of said received data packets that fails to meet said predetermined criteria;
• identifying said received data packets having said high priority;
• identifying said other received data packets having said lower priority;
• providing a high priority communication channel to said processor for said high priority received data packets;
• providing at least one additional communication channel to said processor for said other received data packets;
• providing said high priority received data packets to said processor at said high priority communication channel;
• and
• providing said other received data packets to said processor at one of said at least one additional communication channel;