Method for Maintaining Timing Across Discontinuous Activity Gaps for a Non-Real Time Data Interface

A method for maintaining timing across discontinuous activity gaps for a non-real time data interface, in a radio frequency (RF) IC, the method comprising:

• starting a first receive mode in the RF IC in response to receiving a first command from a base band (BB) IC;
• converting analog RF signals received by the first receive mode into a first stream of digital data samples at a defined sample rate;
• collecting the first stream of digital data samples in a first buffer;
• transmitting samples from the first buffer over the non-real time data interface to the BB IC at a first rate different from the defined sample rate as a transport mechanism is available;
• stopping the first receive mode in response to receiving a second command from the BB IC;
• placing dummy data samples in the first buffer, after the first stream of digital data samples, wherein the dummy data samples are placed at the defined sample rate;
• continuing to transmit the samples from the first buffer to the BB IC at the first rate as the transport mechanism is available;
• re-starting the first receive mode in response to receiving a third command from the BB IC;
• converting analog RF signals received by the first receive mode into a second stream of digital data samples at the defined sample rate;
• discontinuing placing the dummy data samples in the first buffer;
• starting to place the second stream of digital data samples in the first buffer after the dummy data samples;
• and
• continuing to transmit the samples from the first buffer to the BB IC at a second rate different from the defined sample rate as the transport mechanism is available.