Patent ID: 7751411
Filing Date: 2010-07-06
Classification: H04J,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of interfacing for the transfer of data in variable length packets and cells, and control information, wherein the transfer takes place between a first layer device and a second layer device over a first physical path and a second physical path, and wherein the control information comprises a plurality of control words, said method comprising the steps of: Step (a) dividing the control information into an in-band portion and an out-of-band portion; Step (b) transmitting the in-band portion of the control information and the data along the first physical path from one of the first and second layer devices to the other of the first and second layer devices, wherein the in-band portion control information controls data bus lanes and not data, and wherein the in-band portion of the control information comprises: Step (c) inserting a control of data signal into the first physical path of Step (b), wherein the data signal identifies when the path contains the control information and when it contains the data; Step (d) transmitting the out-of-band portion of the control information of Step (a) along the second physical path, wherein the out-of-band portion comprises credit-based first-in-first-out (FIFO) status flow information; and, Step (e) granting a number of credits to one or more ports, wherein the number of credits granted depends on a state of a corresponding port status; wherein transmission occurs independently in both transmit and receive directions, whereby re-encoding of data and insertion of control information upon pre-determined intervals is avoided.