A system that indicates which frame should next be removed by a scheduler
from flow queues within a network device, such as a router, network
processor, and like devices is disclosed. The system includes a search
engine that searches a set of calendars under the control of a Finite
State Machine (FSM), a current pointer, and input signals from an array
and a clock line providing current time. Also included is a decision
block that determines which of the searches are critical and which,
during peak calendar search periods, can be postponed with minimal impact
to the system. The postponed searches are then conducted at a time when
there is available calendar search capacity.