Abstract: A system and method are provided for converting multichannel serial data streams into packets. The method accepts a plurality of serial data streams in a corresponding plurality of channels. In a time domain multiplexed (TDM) fashion, groups with an undetermined number of data bits are packed from each data stream, into an associated channel segment queue, where each segment includes a predetermined number of bits. In a TDM fashion, segments are loaded into an associated channel payload queue, where each payload includes a predetermined number of segments. Once a payload is filled, an associated pointer is created in a pointer queue. The method selects a pointer from the pointer queue, creates a packet from the payload associated with the selected pointer, and transmits the packet via a packet interface. The packet overhead may include information stored in the pointer, a packet header, or a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) checksum.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for providing packet and time division multiplex (TDM) services in a data communication interface. The method accepts packets at a first rate over a packet interface, and transfers time-sensitive data in the packets as packet data units (PDUs) having a smaller number of bits than a packet and a second rate, faster than the first rate. The method transforms the PDUs into frames in a first TDM protocol. Typically, the PDUs are transformed into units having a smaller number of bits than the PDU and a third rate, faster than the second rate. Then, the TDM frames are transmitted over a line interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for renting a peripheral storage entity to a remote client. From the service provider's vantage, one method transceives negotiation signals between a remote first client (the user) and a service provider, via a network link. Using the negotiation signals, the service provider agrees to rent a peripheral storage entity to the first client, and sends digital content from the peripheral storage entity via the network link to the remote first client. The peripheral storage entity may be located with the service provider or with a remote second client. System and methods are also provided from the perspective of remote clients that are either receiving or supplying peripheral storage entity content.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for efficiently switching a loop bandwidth using stored values in a digital filter of a phase-locked loop system. In a first timeslice, an input signal is digitally filtered using base coefficients multiplied by stored filter output and input values from previous timeslices. The filter output value is used to acquire the input signal frequency in a first bandwidth. In response to changes in the input signal frequency, the input signal is digitally filtered in a predetermined number of first intermediate period timeslices using transient coefficients multiplied by stored filter output and input values from previous timeslices. As a result, the first filter output value is maintained within a predetermined range. In a second timeslice, the input signal is digitally filtered using base coefficients multiplied by stored filter output and input values from previous timeslices to acquire the input signal frequency in a second bandwidth.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for providing packet and time division multiplex (TDM) services in a data communication interface. The method accepts packets at a first rate over a packet interface, and transfers time-sensitive data in the packets as packet data units (PDUs) having a smaller number of bits than a packet and a second rate, faster than the first rate. The method transforms the PDUs into frames in a first TDM protocol. Typically, the PDUs are transformed into units having a smaller number of bits than the PDU and a third rate, faster than the second rate. Then, the TDM frames are transmitted over a line interface.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for mapping information into Synchronous Payload Envelopes (SPEs). The method provides information bytes at a nominal system clock-based data rate, which is about equal to a system clock, but may be adjusted. An external clock has a rate approximately equal to the system clock rate. The method generates SPEs with identically-positioned information bytes, regardless of differences between the system and external clock rates. The SPEs are combined with Transport Overhead (TOH) and transmitted as a message frame at the external clock rate. SPEs are generated maintaining the positions of the information bytes within each SPE, without pointer adjustments, despite differences between the system and external clock rates. Expressed another way, message frames are generated with payload and TOH sections, and the information bytes are located exclusively in the payload sections. As a result, constant pointer values (e.g., H1/H2 or V1/V2) are maintained for all the SPEs.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for converting multichannel serial data streams into packets. The method accepts a plurality of serial data streams in a corresponding plurality of channels. In a time domain multiplexed (TDM) fashion, groups with an undetermined number of data bits are packed from each data stream, into an associated channel segment queue, where each segment includes a predetermined number of bits. In a TDM fashion, segments are loaded into an associated channel payload queue, where each payload includes a predetermined number of segments. Once a payload is filled, an associated pointer is created in a pointer queue. The method selects a pointer from the pointer queue, creates a packet from the payload associated with the selected pointer, and transmits the packet via a packet interface. The packet overhead may include information stored in the pointer, a packet header, or a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) checksum.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for mapping information into Synchronous Payload Envelopes (SPEs). The method provides information bytes at a nominal system clock-based data rate, which is about equal to a system clock, but may be adjusted. An external clock has a rate approximately equal to the system clock rate. The method generates SPEs with identically-positioned information bytes, regardless of differences between the system and external clock rates. The SPEs are combined with Transport Overhead (TOH) and transmitted as a message frame at the external clock rate. SPEs are generated maintaining the positions of the information bytes within each SPE, without pointer adjustments, despite differences between the system and external clock rates. Expressed another way, message frames are generated with payload and TOH sections, and the information bytes are located exclusively in the payload sections. As a result, constant pointer values (e.g., H1/H2 or V1/V2) are maintained for all the SPEs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for renting a peripheral storage entity to a remote client. From the service provider's vantage, one method transceives negotiation signals between a remote first client (the user) and a service provider, via a network link. Using the negotiation signals, the service provider agrees to rent a peripheral storage entity to the first client, and sends digital content from the peripheral storage entity via the network link to the remote first client. The peripheral storage entity may be located with the service provider or with a remote second client. System and methods are also provided from the perspective of remote clients that are either receiving or supplying peripheral storage entity content.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a sampled accumulation method that maps information into Synchronous Payload Envelopes (SPEs). The method buffers data from a plurality of tributaries, and sequentially stores buffer-fill information for each tributary in a first memory, at a rate of up to one tributary per system clock (Fsys) cycle. A stored accumulation of buffer-fill information for each tributary is updated at a sample rate frequency (Fsample), where Fsample?Fsys. The stored accumulation of buffer-fill information is used to calculate stuff bit opportunities for each tributary. As a result, the rate of data being mapped into outgoing tributaries is regulated, and the outgoing mapped tributaries are combined in a SPE.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for converting multichannel serial data streams into packets. The method accepts a plurality of serial data streams in a corresponding plurality of channels. In a time domain multiplexed (TDM) fashion, groups with an undetermined number of data bits are packed from each data stream, into an associated channel segment queue, where each segment includes a predetermined number of bits. In a TDM fashion, segments are loaded into an associated channel payload queue, where each payload includes a predetermined number of segments. Once a payload is filled, an associated pointer is created in a pointer queue. The method selects a pointer from the pointer queue, creates a packet from the payload associated with the selected pointer, and transmits the packet via a packet interface. The packet overhead may include information stored in the pointer, a packet header, or a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) checksum.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for efficiently switching a loop bandwidth using stored values in a digital filter of a phase-locked loop system. In a first timeslice, an input signal is digitally filtered using base coefficients multiplied by stored filter output and input values from previous timeslices. The filter output value is used to acquire the input signal frequency in a first bandwidth. In response to changes in the input signal frequency, the input signal is digitally filtered in a predetermined number of first intermediate period timeslices using transient coefficients multiplied by stored filter output and input values from previous timeslices. As a result, the first filter output value is maintained within a predetermined range. In a second timeslice, the input signal is digitally filtered using base coefficients multiplied by stored filter output and input values from previous timeslices to acquire the input signal frequency in a second bandwidth.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for providing packet and time division multiplex (TDM) services in a data communication interface. The method accepts packets at a first rate over a packet interface, and transfers time-sensitive data in the packets as packet data units (PDUs) having a smaller number of bits than a packet and a second rate, faster than the first rate. The method transforms the PDUs into frames in a first TDM protocol. Typically, the PDUs are transformed into units having a smaller number of bits than the PDU and a third rate, faster than the second rate. Then, the TDM frames are transmitted over a line interface.

Abstract: A timeshared data tributary mapping system and method are provided for mapping information into Synchronous Payload Envelopes (SPEs). The method buffers data from a plurality of tributaries and stores current buffer-fill information at a rate of about one tributary per Fsys clock cycle. An accumulation of buffer-fill information for the plurality of tributaries is updated with current buffer-fill information every Fsys clock cycle. The accumulation of buffer-fill information for the plurality of tributaries is sampled at a sample rate frequency (Fsample), where Fsample<Fsys. The sampled buffer-fill information is used to calculate a data rate control word for each of the plurality of tributaries, and stuff bit opportunities are serially calculated responsive to the control word. The rate of data being mapped into outgoing tributaries is regulated, and the outgoing mapped tributaries are combined in a SPE.

Abstract: A system and modulation method are provided for reducing jitter in the mapping of information into Synchronous Payload Envelopes (SPEs), in a data tributary mapping system. The method comprises buffering data from a plurality of tributaries, and generating buffer-fill information responsive to the buffered data being written and read. The buffer-fill information is filtered, producing rate control information. The rate control information is modulated, and the modulated rate control information is used in controlling the mapping of buffered tributaries into a SPE. The rate control information can be modulated with periodic signals, such as a sine or square wave, and pseudorandom signals with an average value of about zero.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a sampled accumulation method that maps information into Synchronous Payload Envelopes (SPEs). The method buffers data from a plurality of tributaries, and sequentially stores buffer-fill information for each tributary in a first memory, at a rate of up to one tributary per system clock (Fsys) cycle. A stored accumulation of buffer-fill information for each tributary is updated at a sample rate frequency (Fsample), where Fsample?Fsys. The stored accumulation of buffer-fill information is used to calculate stuff bit opportunities for each tributary. As a result, the rate of data being mapped into outgoing tributaries is regulated, and the outgoing mapped tributaries are combined in a SPE.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for mapping information into Synchronous Payload Envelopes (SPEs). The method provides information bytes at a nominal system clock-based data rate, which is about equal to a system clock, but may be adjusted. An external clock has a rate approximately equal to the system clock rate. The method generates SPEs with identically-positioned information bytes, regardless of differences between the system and external clock rates. The SPEs are combined with Transport Overhead (TOH) and transmitted as a message frame at the external clock rate. SPEs are generated maintaining the positions of the information bytes within each SPE, without pointer adjustments, despite differences between the system and external clock rates. Expressed another way, message frames are generated with payload and TOH sections, and the information bytes are located exclusively in the payload sections. As a result, constant pointer values (e.g., H1/H2 or V1/V2) are maintained for all the SPEs.

Abstract: A system and modulation method are provided for reducing jitter in the mapping of information into Synchronous Payload Envelopes (SPEs), in a data tributary mapping system. The method comprises buffering data from a plurality of tributaries, and generating buffer-fill information responsive to the buffered data being written and read. The buffer-fill information is filtered, producing rate control information. The rate control information is modulated, and the modulated rate control information is used in controlling the mapping of buffered tributaries into a SPE. The rate control information can be modulated with periodic signals, such as a sine or square wave, and pseudorandom signals with an average value of about zero.

Abstract: The present invention is for an apparatus that receives input data at a non-uniform first data rate carried by a system clock, and provides output data at a substantially uniform second data rate that is nominally equal to the first data rate and is also carried by the system clock. The system clock is faster than the first or second data rates and accordingly, a write enable signal controls the input data that is written into a saturating elastic store and a read enable signal controls the reading and output of data from the saturating elastic store. The saturating elastic store includes a plurality of storage locations and provides a storage fill level indicative of the amount of storage locations currently holding data. A digital filter receives the storage fill level and filters the storage fill level to provide a control word to a digitally controlled read enable signal generator.

Abstract: A timeshared data tributary mapping system and method are provided for mapping information into Synchronous Payload Envelopes (SPEs). The method buffers data from a plurality of tributaries and stores current buffer-fill information at a rate of about one tributary per Fsys clock cycle. An accumulation of buffer-fill information for the plurality of tributaries is updated with current buffer-fill information every Fsys clock cycle. The accumulation of buffer-fill information for the plurality of tributaries is sampled at a sample rate frequency (Fsample), where Fsample<Fsys. The sampled buffer-fill information is used to calculate a data rate control word for each of the plurality of tributaries, and stuff bit opportunities are serially calculated responsive to the control word. The rate of data being mapped into outgoing tributaries is regulated, and the outgoing mapped tributaries are combined in a SPE.