Abstract: A data processing system is described that employs data packets which include at least static and dynamic fields, the static fields containing information that often remains constant during a multi-packet communication interval and the dynamic fields containing information that changes for each packet. Many packets also include a user-data fields. A compression method is described which comprises: reformatting each data packet by associating its static fields with a first packet region and its dynamic fields with a second packet region. The process then assembles a static table that includes static information from at least an initial data packet's first packet region. It then identifies static field information in a subsequent data packet's first packet region that is common to the information in the static table. Such common information is encoded so as to reduce its data length.

Abstract: A system and method are described for bit rate detection in a serial data communication system, the system employing a data rate prompt of a pair of opposite value data bits which follow a series of idle bits. In a first embodiment a receiving port employs a clocked delay element and a set of data clock rates, each data clock rate being a multiple N of one of a set of established bit transmission rates, ranging from a highest expected bit rate to a lowest expected bit rate. The bit rate detection method comprises: clocking the delay element at the highest data clock rate, upon the sensing of one of the opposite value data rate prompt bits at the delay element, to step the value of the sensed bit into the delay element. After a predetermined number of data clock pulses have stepped the value of the sensed bit into the delay element, the system compares the bit value at an input to the delay element and the bit value in a bit position of the delay element.