Method for merging a plurality of data streams into a single data stream

A method of merging a first data stream with a second data stream to generate a third data stream, comprising:

• a) receiving a first packet from the first data stream, the first packet containing a first packet ID and a first data payload;
• b) receiving a second packet from the second data stream, the second packet containing a second packet ID and a second data payload;
• c) storing a first data in a plurality of packet ID arrival registers, a first portion of the first data indicating that the first packet ID is equal to an ID associated with a first of the plurality of the packet ID arrival registers, a second portion of the first data indicating that the first packet ID is not equal to the ID associated with a second of the plurality of the packet ID arrival registers;
• d) storing a second data in the plurality of packet ID arrival registers, a first portion of the second data indicating that the second packet ID is equal to the ID associated with the second of the plurality of the packet ID arrival registers, a second portion of the second data indicating that the second packet ID is not equal to the ID associated with the first of the plurality of the packet ID arrival registers;
• e) calculating a first autocorrelation vector that is indicative of the arrival rate of incoming packets in the first data stream;
• f) calculating a second autocorrelation vector that is indicative of the arrival rate of incoming packets in the second data stream;
• and
• g) based at least in part upon a comparison of a magnitude of the first autocorrelation vector and a magnitude of the second auto correlation vector, including the first packet in the third data stream.