Patent ID: 7248587

Claim:
A variable-length packet transmitter comprising: a transmit re-try buffer for storing packet data received from a first host system serviced by the variable-length packet transmitter; a write pointer for the transmit re-try buffer, the write pointer indicting a writing location within the transmit re-try buffer to write new packet data received from the first host system, the writing location being advanced as additional packet data is received from the first host system; a read pointer for the transmit re-try buffer, the read pointer indicting a reading location within the transmit re-try buffer to read packet data from for transmission to a remote receiver; a serial link to the remote receiver for sending packet data read from the transmit re-try buffer to the remote receiver; a de-allocation pointer for the transmit re-try buffer, the de-allocation pointer indicting an over-writing location within the transmit re-try buffer wherein the write pointer is prevented from advancing past the de-allocation pointer; and a reverse channel from the remote receiver for receiving pointer updates from the remote receiver, the pointer updates causing the de-allocation pointer to advance to provide additional space within the transmit re-try buffer for writing packet data from the first host system, whereby pointer updates from the remote receiver update the de-allocation pointer and the over-writing location in the transmit re-try buffer.