Self-adjusting elasticity data buffer with preload value

A buffer for allowing the influx and outflow of a number of data units forming a data stream, said buffer for use in a system having a write clock and a read clock, said buffer comprising:

• a plurality of sequentially numbered storage cells located within the buffer;
• a write pointer for writing data in accordance with a frequency of the write clock;
• a read pointer for reading data in accordance with a frequency of the read clock;
• and
• a preload value for delaying the start of the read pointer relative to the write pointer, wherein the preload value is based upon a number of transactions needed to empty the numbered storage cells.

A method of processing a plurality of data packets, each having a number of data units, through a buffer in accordance with a write clock and a read clock, the buffer having a plurality of sequentially numbered storage cells, said method comprising the steps of:

• selecting an initial preload value;
• writing the data units into the storage cells using a write pointer operating in accordance with the write clock
• reading data units from the storage cells using a read pointer operating in accordance with the read clock;
• and
• determining relative frequencies of the write and read clocks based upon a number of transactions needed to empty the storage cells.

A method of processing a plurality of data packets, each having a number of data units, through a buffer in accordance with a write clock and a read clock, the buffer having a plurality of sequentially numbered storage cells, said method comprising the steps of:

• selecting an initial preload value;
• writing the data units into the storage cells using a write pointer operating in accordance with the write clock;
• when the storage cell of the buffer having the number equal to the preload value has been written to, reading data units from the storage cells using a read pointer operating in accordance with the read clock;
• determining the relative frequencies of the write and read clocks;
• and
• for subsequent data packets, inversely adjusting the preload value based upon the relative frequency to compensate for differences between the write frequency and the read frequency.