Patent ID: 7200768

Claim:
A data transmission link for transmitting time-sensitive data, comprising: a first node connected to a plurality of end nodes by a broadband packet-switched network, wherein each end node is connected to at least one end terminal, each of said end nodes including: timing generation circuitry adapted to generate an output timing signal that is phase locked to a received reference timing signal originating at said first node; means for receiving data structure information from said first node and identifying a data structure format from said information for transmitting time-sensitive data between said end nodes and said end terminals; a delay signal generator for generating a delay signal in response to delay information received from said first node; and, data conversion means communicating with said delay signal generating means, said data structure receiving means and said timing generation circuitry, said data conversion means adapted to receive payload data from said first node and retransmit payload data identified as time-sensitive data in a synchronous manner to said end terminal, wherein the timing of said payload data transmission is adjusted in each end node on the basis of said received timing signal, said received data structure format and said received delay signal, such that all end nodes transmit said payload data substantially simultaneously.