Abstract: A rate policing algorithm for packet flows is based on counters and threshold checking. The rate policing algorithm utilizes a state machine having four links: (1) compliant state to compliant state; (2) transition from compliant state to non-compliant state; (3) non-compliant state to non-compliant state; and (4) transition from non-compliant state to compliant state. Depending on the values obtained from the counters and utilizing the threshold values, it is determined whether a flow rate for packets is compliant or non-compliant.

Abstract: The rate-based scheduling for a network application is used to control the bandwidth available to a flow while scheduling the transmission of the flow. The rate-based scheduling uses rate credits to represent the amount of data a flow is permitted to transmit and only permits a flow to transmit if the flow has rate credit available. A flow is permitted to transmit only if the peak packet rate for the scheduler has not been exceeded.

Abstract: Frames of data comprised of frameword bytes and a payload are processed by identifying a start of a first frame and a phase of the first frame concurrently based on the frameword bytes, and aligning data in a second frame, based on the phase of the first frame, to make a start of the second frame coincide with a start of a byte boundary.

Abstract: Transmission system comprising at least two links for connecting a transmitter and a receiver, and receiver suitable for such a system.Transmission system comprising at least two channels for connecting a transmitter and a receiver. The receiver comprises receiving circuits (20 and 31) for receiving the data coming from the channels, a coincidence providing circuit (30) for the data coming from said channels, formed by:detection circuit (66, 67) for detecting the shift between the data from the channels to produce shift information,a shifting circuit for shifting the data of at least one of said channels as a function of said shift information,a switching circuit (35) for connecting a user circuit to either of said channels.