Batch-wise handling of signals in a processing system

A method of handling job signals of different priority levels in a processing system having multiple processing units for parallel processing of job signals, and a job scheduler comprising a plurality of job buffers that store the job signals and insert the job signals into the processing units in descending order of priority level, said method comprising the steps of:

• delaying the job signals prior to the scheduler in a plurality of delay queues until a batch of job signals is received in each delay queue, wherein the step of delaying the job signals is performed on a priority basis such that job signals of different priority levels are input into different delay queues;
• extracting the job signals from each delay queue as a batch, and inserting the batched job signals into a job buffer in the job scheduler having a corresponding priority level;
• and
• scheduling the job signals for processing by the processing units in order of the priority level of the job signals, said scheduling step including:
• storing each received batch of job signals in a job buffer in the job scheduler having a priority level corresponding to the priority level of the received batch of job signals;
• and
• passing the batches of job signals to the processing units in descending order of the priority levels;
• whereby the multiple processing units are enabled to operate at a higher load level, and the number of changes between different priority levels of job signals in the processing units is minimized.

A scheduler for scheduling process signals for processing in a processing system having multiple processes that execute the process signals in order of descending priority level, said scheduler comprising:

• a process handler for directing the process signals to corresponding processes and for scheduling the processes to execute the process signals in descending order of priority level;
• at least one delay queue for temporarily delaying the process signals prior to the process handler until a batch of process signals is accumulated in the delay queue;
• and
• means for inserting the temporarily delayed process signals into the process handler as a batch,
• whereby the multiple processing units are enabled to operate at a higher load level, and the number of changes between different priority levels of process signals in the processes is minimized.