Apparatus and method for handling an incoming communication data frame

A method of handling an incoming communication data frame containing a plurality of bits, the method comprising:

• comparing, in each of a plurality of data matchers, a subset of the plurality of bits of the communication data frame with a predetermined data pattern of a plurality of data patterns;
• providing, from each of the plurality of data matchers, a data matcher output to indicate the result of the comparison;
• comparing, in a plurality of selectors, a subset of the data matcher outputs of the plurality of data matchers with a predetermined selection pattern of a plurality of selection patterns;
• providing, from each of the plurality of selectors, a selector output to indicate the result of the selector comparison;
• comparing, in a frame filter, the selector outputs of the plurality of selectors to a predetermined filter pattern;
• providing, from the frame filter, a frame filter output to indicate the result of the frame filter comparison;
• and
• only if the frame filter output indicates that the selector outputs of the plurality of selectors matches the predetermined filter pattern:
• transferring the incoming communication data frame to application logic;
• and
• transferring the selector outputs of the plurality of selectors to the application logic.