Patent ID: 6813734
Filing Date: 2004-11-02
Classification: H04J,H04L

Abstract:
A data alignment apparatus, comprising:an input for receiving an input temporal series of parallel-formatted input groups of digital data units; a data aligner coupled to said input and responsive to said input series for producing an output temporal series of parallel-formatted output groups of said digital data units; an output coupled to said data aligner for outputting said output series; said data aligner including a buffer coupled to said input for storing data units of a first said input group while a second said input group is received at said input, and a combiner coupled to said buffer and said input for producing a temporary parallel-formatted group of data units received in said input series by combining in parallel format all of said data units stored in said buffer and all of said data units of said second input group, said data aligner operable for using said temporary group to produce one of said output groups; said data aligner including a further buffer for storing said temporary group while a third said input group is received at said input, and a data path coupled to said combiner and said further buffer for permitting said temporary group to be transferred to said further buffer without being stored in said first-mentioned buffer; and said combiner coupled to an output of said further buffer for permitting re-use of said combiner to produce a further parallel-formatted group of data units received in said input series by combining in parallel format all of said data units stored in said further buffer and selected data units of said third input group.