Delay control for frame-based transmission of data

Apparatus usable for transmitting first information from a data source associated with a first data station to a first data destination associated with a second data station, said apparatus coupled to said first data station by physical media, wherein the data source outputs said first information in a plurality of data packets, the beginning times for output of said data packets from said data source defining a plurality of packet-start times, the apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter configured to initiate transmission of the information contained in a first of said packets of said first information over said physical media beginning at a transmission-start time;
• a timer coupled to said transmitter and configured to determine a value related to the length of time from said packet-start time of said first packet until said transmission-start time;
• said transmitter also configured to transmit said first value to said second data station;
• and
• a data delay device in said second data station configured to delay the initiation of transfer of said information contained in said first packet to said first data destination for a delay period based on said first value.

Apparatus for transmitting first information from a data source in a first data station to a first data destination in a second data station, said second data station coupled to said first data station by physical media, wherein the data source outputs said first information in a plurality of data packets, the beginning times for output of said data packets from said data source defining a plurality of packet-start times, the apparatus comprising:

• means for initiating transmission of the information contained in a first of said packets of said first information over said physical media beginning at a transmission-start time;
• a timer for determining a first value related to the length of time from said packet-start time of said first packet until said transmission-start time;
• means for communicating said first value to said second data station;
• means, in said second data station, for delaying the initiation of the transfer of said information contained in said first packet to said first data destination for a delay period based on said first value.

A method for transmitting both data from a packet source and data from an isochronous source onto a physical medium comprising:

• transmitting signals onto said physical medium during a first time frame, said frame comprising a predetermined number of time slots, according to a first frame structure defining first and second pluralities of time slots wherein
• said first plurality of said time slots is used for
• transmission of a first plurality of symbols in response
• to said isochronous data source, each of said first
• plurality of symbols comprising a plurality of bit-groups, each for conveying a first predetermined number of data bits, and
• said second plurality of said time slots being used for transmission of a second plurality of symbols in response to said packet source, said second plurality of symbols comprising a first bit-group for transmission in response to a period of non-output of a packet from said packet source and a plurality of bit-groups, different from said first bit-group, each for conveying a first predetermined number of data bits in response to output of a packet from said packet source,
• repeating said step of transmitting, during subsequent time frames, at regular time intervals, according to said first frame structure;
• and
• retiming said second plurality of symbols to place said second plurality of symbols in a packet form.