Patent ID: 6937624

Claim:
A unit for receiving and re-transmitting data signals comprising multi-word packets separated by multi-word inter-packet gaps, and including: a FIFO store, a first, write, state machine for controlling the writing of packets into the FIFO; a second, read, state machine for controlling read-out of packets from the FIFO, wherein: said first and second state machines are controlled by clock signals which are of similar frequency; said first state machine is operative in a writing sequence to write into the FIFO the words of each received packet in successive locations and thereafter to cause the writing into the FIFO of a succession of words representing a selected inter-packet gap; and said second state machine is operative in response to maintain a reading sequence in arrears of the writing sequence by a selected number of said locations; means for recovering from said packets the clock signal for the first state machine and a local system clock for providing the clock signal for the second state machine; a multiplexer for selecting for transmission between packets from said FIFO and packets from a source thereof; and a third state machine for providing the packets from said source with an inter-packet gap selectably greater than that constituted by said succession of words.