Data processing system having a fifo buffer with variable threshold value based on input and output data rates and data block size

A data processing system, comprising:

• a processing unit for executing instructions;
• and
• a first-in, first-out buffer comprising:
• a plurality of entries, each of the plurality of entries for temporarily storing at least a portion of a data block and a variable threshold value;
• a write counter for providing a write pointer value for determining a current entry of the plurality of entries in which to write data and the variable threshold value;
• a read counter for providing a read pointer value for determining a current entry of the plurality of entries from which to read data and the variable threshold value;
• and
• a read comparator for determining that a difference between the read pointer value and the write pointer value is greater than or equal to the variable threshold value, and in response, causing the at least a portion of the data block to be read from the plurality of entries, wherein the variable threshold value is based on a difference between an input data rate and an output data rate of the first-in, first-out buffer, and a size of the data block to be transmitted through the first-in, first-out buffer.

A data processing system, comprising:

• a central processing unit for executing instructions;
• and
• a first-in, first-out buffer for transmitting data blocks of variable size and at variable data rates from the data processing system to a data consumer that is external to the data processing system, wherein a fullness of the first-in, first-out buffer is controlled by a variable threshold value, and the variable threshold value is automatically determined to allow a data block to be transmitted through the first-in, first-out buffer as a continuous data stream without interruption, the first-in, first-out buffer comprising:
• a plurality of entries, each of the plurality of entries for temporarily storing at least a portion of the data block and a corresponding variable threshold value;
• a write counter for providing a write pointer value for determining a current entry of the plurality of entries in which to write data and the variable threshold value;
• a read counter for providing a read pointer value for determining a current entry of the plurality of entries from which to read data and the variable threshold value, wherein read operations from, and write operations to, the first-in, first-out buffer overlap;
• a write comparator for determining a difference between the read pointer value and the write pointer value and in response, indicating an available entry of the plurality of entries;
• and
• a read comparator for determining that a difference between the read pointer value and the write pointer value is greater than or equal to the variable threshold value, and in response, causing the at least a portion of the data block to be read from the plurality of entries, wherein the variable threshold value is determined using a difference between an input data rate and an output data rate of the first-in, first-out buffer, and a size of the data block to be transmitted through the first-in, first-out buffer.