Method and apparatus for controlling data retransmission

A method for receiving data frames in a transceiver, said method comprising the steps of:

• detecting that a first at least one frame has not been received in a sequence of a second at least one frame transmitted to the transceiver;
• transmitting a first at least one retransmission request from the transceiver, each said first at least one retransmission request associated with a separate frame of said first at least one frame;
• starting at least one timer in response to transmitting said first at least one retransmission request, each said at least one timer associated with a separate retransmission request of said first at least one retransmission request;
• receiving a third at least one frame at the transceiver and buffering said third at least one frame in a buffer;
• setting a pointer that indicates the highest sequence number of any frame in said buffer received as a result of a retransmission request;
• receiving a fourth at least one frame at the transceiver, placing said fourth at least one frame in said buffer and updating said pointer;
• and
• determining whether an expiration action should be taken on each said at least one timer, based on said pointer.

An apparatus for retransmitting data frames, said apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter for transmitting a retransmission request for a first frame;
• a buffer for buffering a plurality of second frames;
• a receiver for receiving a third frame;
• a timer;
• and
• a controller, said controller coupled to said receiver, said buffer, said transmitter, and said timer, said controller for starting said timer upon transmission of said retransmission request for said first frame from said transmitter, buffering said plurality of second frames in said buffer and setting a pointer in said memory to indicate the highest sequence number of any of said plurality of second frames in said buffer received as the result of other retransmission requests from said transmitter, said controller further for determining, in response to receiving said third frame at said receiver, if an expiration action on said timer should be taken based on said pointer.

An apparatus for retransmitting data frames, said apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter for transmitting at least one retransmission request, each said at least one retransmission request associated with one of a first at least one frame;
• a buffer for buffering a second at least one frame;
• a receiver for receiving a third at least one frame;
• at least one timer;
• and
• a controller, said controller coupled to said receiver, said transmitter, and said timer, wherein said controller starts said at least one timer upon transmission of each of said at least one retransmission request, wherein each said at least one timer is associated with a separate retransmission request of said first at least one retransmission request, said controller further buffering said second at least one frame in said buffer and setting a pointer to indicate the highest sequence number of any of said second at least one frame in said buffer received as the result of a retransmission request, said controller further for determining, in response to receiving said third at least one frame at said receiver, if an expiration action on said at least one timer should be taken based on said pointer.