Method and apparatus for bit vector array

The present invention relates to the bi-directional transport of digital data between a digital network and devices in customer premises, either residence or business. More specifically, the present invention relates to the management of concurrent accesses to the cable TV digital network by multiple devices so that the devices can share the data transport medium, which is a mixture of optical fiber and coaxial cable media. A bit vector array apparatus provides a high speed method for processing network transmission controls. Complex data structures for controlling network access are represented in the simplest possible form as single bit vector elements. The bit vector elements are combined into bit vectors comprised of 32 single bit vector elements. The bit vectors are processed in parallel in the bit vector array apparatus, which is comprised of special-purpose bit manipulation functions to expedite the processing.