Systems and methods for bonding multiple data links with differential delay

A method comprising:

• receiving a data packet;
• generating a plurality of fragments for the data packet, wherein each fragment includes a sequence identifier that allows the data packet to be reconstructed from the plurality of fragments;
• associating each fragment with one of a plurality of data links;
• providing a first subset of the plurality of fragments to a first transmitter comprising a first buffer, wherein the first transmitter is associated with a first data link of the plurality of data links;
• storing the first subset of fragments in the first buffer of the first transmitter;
• providing a second subset of the plurality of fragments to a second transmitter comprising a second buffer, wherein the second transmitter is associated with a second data link of the plurality of data links;
• storing the second subset of fragments in the second buffer of the second transmitter;
• identifying a noise event associated with the first data link;
• and
• transferring the first subset of fragments from the first buffer to the second buffer based on the identification of the noise event.

An access multiplexer system comprising:

• a switch module;
• and
• a plurality of line cards, each of the plurality of line cards comprising:
• (a) a bonding engine configured to receive, from the switch module, a data packet and to generate a plurality of fragments from the data packet, wherein each fragment is associated with a respective one of a plurality of data links;
• and
• (b) one or more transmitters, respectively associated with a data link of the plurality of data links, in a 1:1 correspondence, wherein each transmitter includes a respective buffer configured to store a respective subset of the plurality of fragments,
• wherein a first line card of the plurality of line cards has a first transmitter associated with a first data link, the first transmitter having a first buffer that stores a first subset of fragments,
• wherein a second line card of the plurality of line cards has a second transmitter associated with a second data link, the second data link being different than the first data link, and the second transmitter having a second buffer that stores a second subset of fragments, and
• wherein, in response to the identification of a noise event associated with the first data link, the bonding engine of the first line card transfers the first subset of fragments from the first buffer of the first line card to the second buffer of the second line card.

A method comprising:

• receiving a data packet;
• generating a plurality of fragments for the data packet, wherein each fragment includes a sequence identifier that allows the data packet to be reconstructed from the plurality of fragments;
• transmitting a first subset of the plurality of fragments to a first transceiver unit having a first buffer for buffering fragments to be transmitted by the first transceiver unit across a first data link coupled to the first transceiver unit;
• storing the first subset of fragments in the first buffer;
• transmitting a second subset of the plurality of fragments to a second transceiver unit having a second buffer for buffering fragments to be transmitted by the second transceiver unit across a second data link coupled to and terminated by the second transceiver unit;
• storing the second subset of fragments in the second buffer;
• identifying a noise event associated with the first data link;
• and
• transferring the first subset of fragments from the first buffer to the second buffer based on the identification of the noise event.