Method and apparatus for scheduling and interleaving items using quantum and deficit values including but not limited to systems using multiple active sets of items or mini-quantum values

An apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of queues for buffering a plurality of packets;
• and
• a scheduler to perform scheduling of the sending of packets of the plurality of packets, the scheduler including:
• control logic;
• and
• one or more memory devices configured to maintain a plurality of sets of indications of queues of the plurality of queues requiring processing to be performed;
• wherein said scheduling includes:
• identifying a current set of the plurality of sets of indications;
• and
• processing queues corresponding to the one or more indications of queues in the current set, said processing including:
• identifying a particular indication of a particular queue of the plurality of queues in the current set;
• adding a quantum to a deficit of the particular indication;
• sending a packet from the particular queue corresponding to the particular indication;
• decreasing the deficit by a value;
• determining if the deficit allows the particular queue to be further processed;
• and
• moving the particular indication from the current set to another of the plurality of sets of indications of queues after said determining if deficit allows the particular queue to be further processed.

An apparatus comprising:

• means for maintaining a plurality of sets of items requiring processing to be performed;
• means for identifying a current set of the plurality of sets of items;
• and
• means for processing each of the items in the current set, said means for processing each of the items including:
• means for identifying a particular item in the current set;
• means for adding a quantum to a deficit of the particular item;
• means for processing an entity corresponding to the particular item;
• means for decreasing the deficit of the particular item by a value;
• and
• means for determining if the deficit allows the particular item to be further processed;
• and
• means for moving the particular item from the current set to another of the plurality of sets of items after said determining if deficit allows the particular item to be further processed.