Method and apparatus for providing bit count integrity and synchronous data transfer over a channel that does not preserve synchronization

摘要

"METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE SUPPLY OF BIT COUNT INTEGRITY AND SYNCHRONOUS DATA TRANSFER ON A CHANNEL THAT DOES NOT PRESERVE SYNCHRONIZATION". The integrity of the synchronization and bit count of a synchronous data stream is preserved from end to end even as it is transmitted via a medium that does not preserve the synchronous nature of the synchronous data stream. A terminal equipment unit (100) produces a constant rate bit stream, which is supplied to a communication unit (110). The communication unit (100) produces a first data frame comprising a first set of bits from the constant rate bit stream and a first length field value. A second data frame is produced, which comprises a second set of bits from the constant rate bit stream and a second length field. A third data frame is produced, which comprises a third set of bits from the constant rate bit stream and a third length field value. The first, second and third data frames are transmitted to a base unit (118) which places the first set of bits from the first frame forming a row (150). A set of fill bits equal to the maximum number of bits contained in any frame is then placed in the queue (150). The base unit (118) then determines the number of bits in the second set of bits in the third data frame, based on the first length field value and the third length field value. The base unit (118) overwrites the bits overfilling in the queue (150) with the third set of bits. The number of overfill bits is equivalent to the difference between the maximum possible number of bits that can be contained in any frame and the number of bits in the second set of bits.