IEEE 802.1Qav defines the Credit-Based Shaper for the controlled transmission of time-sensitive data streams.

IEEE 802.1Qav defines the Credit-Based Shaper (CBS) for time-critical streams. In this mechanism, each queue operates with a credit account: credit increases while waiting and decreases during transmission, thereby limiting bandwidth and smoothing bursts. Qav is relevant when audio/video or other reserved streams need to be transported in a controlled manner and with predictable latency alongside best-effort traffic.