Method and a device for scheduling and sending data packets from a common sender to a plurality of users sharing a common transmission channel

The invention, which applies to satellite digital communications systems in particular, relates to a device and a method of scheduling and sending data packets with a required level of protection from a common sender to a plurality of users sharing a common transmission channel. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a stream of input data packets; splitting the packets between a plurality of queues; extracting the leading packets therefrom using a first scheduling algorithm; storing each packet in a particular buffer as a function of the required level of protection; and extracting data blocks therefrom using a second scheduling algorithm. The packets are split between said queues in accordance with a geographical position criterion in respect of the user to whom each packet is addressed.