Programmable throttle circuit for each control device of a processing system

A processing system comprises: a shared system resource; a plurality of control devices, each assignable with a task having a predetermined maximum time to complete, the control devices time sharing the system resource in the process of performing their assigned tasks in accordance with a predetermined sequence; and an arbiter circuit for regulating access of said control devices to the system resource. Each control device includes a throttle circuit coupled to the arbiter circuit and individually programmable to control in cooperation with the arbiter circuit utilization of the system resource by the corresponding control device so that each control device may perform its task within the predetermined maximum completion time thereof.