Isochronous interface apparatus

Abstract

Isochronous interface apparatus for transferring data from a source over a clocked channel to a destination. A channel input interface is interposed between the source and the channel. The channel input interface includes a data compressor adapted to compress the data with a compression ratio responsive to a signal. A first elastic buffer is coupled between the data compressor and the channel, having a first variable stack and providing a first signal representing the depth of the first variable stack. The first elastic buffer has an input coupled to the data compressor and has an output clocked by the channel and provides a signal representing the depth of the variable stack. The first signal is feedback to the data compressor for controlling the compression ratio of the data compressor. A channel output interface is interposed between the clocked channel and the destination. The channel output interface includes a data expander coupled to the channel. A second elastic buffer is coupled between the data expander and the destination, and has a second variable stack and provides a second signal representing the depth of the second variable stack. A variable clock is responsive to the second signal and is adapted to maintain the second variable stack at a constant depth.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.