Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently servicing isochronous streams (such as media data streams) associated with a network. In one embodiment, an Isochronous Cycle Manager (ICM), receives multiple independent streams of packets that include isochronous packets arriving according to different time bases (e.g., where each stream has a different time base). The packets are sorted by the ICM into a buffering mechanism according to their required presentation time. Additionally the ICM calculates a launch time for each packet. The NIC transmits the packets from the queue according to an access scheme, such as a time division multiplexed (TDM) scheme where each of a plurality of cycles is subdivided into time slots. During appropriate time slots, the NIC transmits the packets in chronological order, as read out of the buffering mechanism.

Abstract: Transportation of audio data is provided between a first network element and a second network element. The first network element divides multichannel audio data by channel into a plurality of individual channels. The first network element packages each of the plurality of individual channels together with a corresponding sampling set of audio data into a single packet. The first network element transmits to the second network element each packet that includes a channel having an active sampling set of audio data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for validating time between a local clock included in the slave node of a network with a master clock included in the master node of the network. The master node determines a propagation delay between the master node and the slave node, sends a synchronization message to the slave node at a first time, determines an expected receipt time of the synchronization message at the slave node based on the first time, the determined propagation delay between the master node and the slave node, and a rate ratio of the master clock to the local clock, and sends a follow up message to the slave node, the follow up message including the first time and the expected receipt time.

Abstract: Transportation of audio data is provided between a first network element and a second network element. The first network element divides multichannel audio data by channel into a plurality of individual channels. The first network element packages each of the plurality of individual channels together with a corresponding sampling set of audio data into a single packet. The first network element transmits to the second network element each packet that includes a channel having an active sampling set of audio data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for validating time between a local clock included in the slave node of a network with a master clock included in the master node of the network. The master node determines a propagation delay between the master node and the slave node, sends a synchronization message to the slave node at a first time, determines an expected receipt time of the synchronization message at the slave node based on the first time, the determined propagation delay between the master node and the slave node, and a rate ratio of the master clock to the local clock, and sends a follow up message to the slave node, the follow up message including the first time and the expected receipt time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing media signals. In one embodiment, a data processing device processes fixed and variable rate data using a first and second processing unit. The processing comprises real-time processing of audio/video signals by a graphics processing unit (GPU) and/or central processing unit (CPU). The processing units process data efficiently by establishing one processor as always processing variable rate data, and using one or more schemes for determining processor will process fixed rate data. A shared memory enables the processors to communicate with one another in order to determine which will process the fixed rate data. In one scheme for determining which of the processors will process the fixed rate data the second processor need merely be unlocked. In another embodiment, the second processor must be unlocked and immediately available.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently transporting data through network tunnels. In one embodiment, a tunneled device advertises certain capabilities to peer devices of a network, and discovers capabilities of peer devices of the network. In a second embodiment, each device of a tunneled network derives a network parameter from a transit protocol parameter for use in data networking.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently servicing isochronous streams (such as media data streams) associated with a network. In one embodiment, an Isochronous Cycle Manager (ICM), receives multiple independent streams of packets that include isochronous packets arriving according to different time bases (e.g., where each stream has a different time base). The packets are sorted by the ICM into a buffering mechanism according to their required presentation time. Additionally the ICM calculates a launch time for each packet. The NIC transmits the packets from the queue according to an access scheme, such as a time division multiplexed (TDM) scheme where each of a plurality of cycles is subdivided into time slots. During appropriate time slots, the NIC transmits the packets in chronological order, as read out of the buffering mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing media signals. In one embodiment, a data processing device processes fixed and variable rate data using a first and second processing unit. The processing comprises real-time processing of audio/video signals by a graphics processing unit (GPU) and/or central processing unit (CPU). The processing units process data efficiently by establishing one processor as always processing variable rate data, and using one or more schemes for determining processor will process fixed rate data. A shared memory enables the processors to communicate with one another in order to determine which will process the fixed rate data. In one scheme for determining which of the processors will process the fixed rate data the second processor need merely be unlocked. In another embodiment, the second processor must be unlocked and immediately available.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently transporting data through network tunnels. In one embodiment, a tunneled device advertises certain capabilities to peer devices of a network, and discovers capabilities of peer devices of the network. In a second embodiment, each device of a tunneled network derives a network parameter from a transit protocol parameter for use in data networking.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently servicing isochronous streams (such as media data streams) associated with a network. In one embodiment, an Isochronous Cycle Manager (ICM), receives multiple independent streams of packets that include isochronous packets arriving according to different time bases (e.g., where each stream has a different time base). The packets are sorted by the ICM into a buffering mechanism according to their required presentation time. Additionally the ICM calculates a launch time for each packet. The NIC transmits the packets from the queue according to an access scheme, such as a time division multiplexed (TDM) scheme where each of a plurality of cycles is subdivided into time slots. During appropriate time slots, the NIC transmits the packets in chronological order, as read out of the buffering mechanism.