Fast arbiter having easy scaling for large numbers of requesters, large numbers of resource types with multiple instances of each type, and selectable queing disciplines

An arbitration mechanism for controlling a coupling order between a plurality of resources and a plurality of requesters, comprising:

• a) a plurality of request processing units, one associated with each one of said plurality of requesters, for receiving a resource type request signal from said associated requester;
• b) a plurality of grant processing units, one associated with each one of said plurality of resources, for monitoring a busy status signal from said associated resource;
• c) a common broadcast medium coupled to said plurality of request processing units and said plurality of grant processing units;
• and
• d) an arbiter for granting access to said common broadcast medium to one of said request processing units and grant processing units;
• said plurality of request processing units and said plurality of grant processing units using said common broadcast medium to control the coupling order between the plurality of requesters and the plurality of resources in a first come, first served manner.