Abstract: A system for transmitting data packets includes a sending node. The sending node includes means for forming the data packets using two or more communications protocols. A first protocol includes means to associate with a data load a first header having one or more fields. A second protocol includes means to associate with the data load a second header having one or more fields. The sending node includes compression means for removing one or more fields of the first header. A value of a removed field is predictable by reference to values of one or more fields of the second protocol. A predefined template is used to remove the one or more fields of the first header for compression and to replace the removed field for decompression. The predefined template is identified by a template number included in an added header.

Abstract: A communications processor includes a first upper layer module to execute one or more upper layer protocols and a data link layer module to execute a data link layer protocol. A host processor includes a second upper layer module to execute the one or more upper layer protocols. A switching module causes the communications processor to operate in a first state or a second state. The communications processor executes only the data link layer protocol and none of the one or more upper layer protocols when the communications processor operates in the first state, and executes the data link layer protocol and the one or more upper layer protocols when the communications processor operates in the second state. The power saving module prevents the host processor from executing the one or more upper layer protocols executed by the communications processor when the communications processor operates in the second state.