Patent ID: 6810046
Filing Date: 2004-10-26
Classification: H04J

Abstract:
A method of communicating data in communication systems (300), each system including at least one channel (10) comprising transmitting means (20), receiving means (40) and data conveying means (30) for conveying data from the transmitting means (20) to the receiving means (40), the method comprising the steps of:(a) combining payload data and overhead data at the transmitting means (20) to form aggregate data (600) thereat for transmission to the receiving means (40), the aggregate data (600) being partitioned into frame-like structures in which the number of overhead data bits is in a fixed ratio relative to the number of payload data bits; (b) transmitting the aggregate data (600) from the transmitting means (20) to the receiving means (40) through the conveying means (30); (c) receiving the aggregate data (600) at the receiving means (40), decoding the aggregate data to isolate the overhead data from the payload data thereat, and interpreting the overhead data for controlling and managing the payload data within the system (300), and operating the transmitting means (20) to generate the aggregate data (600) at a rate which is greater than the rate of receipt of the payload data thereat by substantially a fraction (Rp+Ro)/(Rp), where Rp is the rate of receipt of the payload data at the transmitting means (20) and Ro is the rate at which the overhead data is added at the transmitting means (20) to generate the aggregate data (600).