Patent ID: 7292603

Claim:
A method of processing overhead data bytes from SONET data frames, comprising: receiving during a predetermined period of time a data frame having a first data format, said data frame comprising a plurality of groups of overhead data bytes, each said group carrying overhead information associated only with a respectively corresponding one of a plurality of SONET data frames; converting, while said data frame is received, said plurality of groups of overhead data bytes from said first data format into a second data format; and said converting step including, for one of said groups, storing a predetermined number of said overhead data bytes thereof respectively into a plurality of storage locations equal in number to said predetermined number at a first data rate; said converting step further including obtaining, at a second data rate, said predetermined number of said overhead data bytes from said plurality of storage locations; and said converting step further including storing a further said predetermined number of said overhead data bytes of said one group respectively into said plurality of storage locations at said first data rate, wherein said first and second data rates are determined such that said overhead data bytes of said one of said groups are concurrently stored into and obtained from said plurality of storage locations during said predetermined period of time.