Method and system for matching packet size for efficient transmission over a serial bus

Abstract

A computer system that is able to specify a packet size transmission rate is disclosed. The computer system has a plurality of nodes, each node being serially connected on a P1394 bus to at least one other node in the computer system. The nodes communicate one to another by transmitting communication packets having variable byte sizes over the P1394 bus. The packet size transmission rate is specified by first establishing an average transmission of bytes per packet. Next, the system determines an approximate value of the average transmission rate and, based on this value, determines a periodic change on the average transmission rate for transmitting communication packets of length l or length l+1. Once the periodic change is understood, the system selects a repeating pattern for generating a sequence of packets representing this approximate value. This sequence allows for an even transmission distribution of l and l+1 packets. The system bases its selection on checking the repeating pattern to determine whether the transmission rate should change from l to l+1 or vice versa and changing the transmission rate upon indication that a change is necessary.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.