Method and apparatus for burst scheduling

A burst-switched router having a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, comprising:

• circuitry for switching data bursts between the input ports and the output ports;
• circuitry for transmitting control information associated with data bursts, where the control information is transmitted in payload envelopes over one or more control channels, said circuitry for transmitting control information including:
• circuitry for defining a plurality of sets of contiguous payload envelopes;
• circuitry for determining a current set in which a selected control packet can be sent based on a current time and a set index;
• circuitry for storing in memory scheduling information for the current set and the next set thereafter;
• circuitry for determining an available gap to accommodate said control packet in one of either the current set or the next set based on said scheduling information;
• and
• circuitry for maintaining a scheduling calendar associated with each payload envelope of said current and next sets, indicating positions of previously scheduled control information.