Patent ID: 6535525
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method of sending multiple streams of digital data, at a single average bit rate, from a transmitting module to respective receiving modules; said method including the steps of:partitioning all of said digital data streams, within said transmitting module, into frames of at least two different lengths, where the length of each frame in any one data stream equals a respective integer for said one data stream multiplied by a minimum frame length that is the same for all said data streams; writing each frame into a series of several full and partial cells, such that each full cell holds the same number of said data bits while each partial cell holds fewer data bits and other overhead bits which together equal said same number; sending said full cells and partial cells of all of said frames, from said transmitting module to said receiving modules at a single cell rate, independent of said different frame lengths; and, limiting said different frame lengths to those where said respective integer for any one particular stream, divided by the number of full and partial cells in each frame of said one particular stream, is a ratio that is the same for all of said streams.