A data processing module having a central processing unit and a task management
control method and apparatus is disclosed which may comprise: a plurality of task
identifiers adapted to identify a task requesting service by the central processing
unit; an arbitration system external to the central processing unit adapted to
select a task identifier from one of the plurality of task identifiers and to provide
to the central processing unit the location of data or at least one instruction,
which location is determined by the identity of the task identifier and to provide
to the central processing unit the location of at least one instruction to initiate
processing of the task, comprising: arbitration value determination logic adapted
to determine at least one arbitration value of each task identifier requesting
service; arbitration logic adapted to select a task identifier requesting service
based upon the at least one arbitration value for each task identifier requesting service.
