Point to point protocol multiplexing/demultiplexing method and apparatus

A method of communicating information over a communication link comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a plurality of original user datagram protocol (UDP) packets for communication over the communication link;
• compressing header data of the UDP packets;
• creating a frame containing at least multiplexed PPP packets from the plurality of UDP packets, PPP multiplexed identification data and PPP packet delimitation data;
• evaluating PPP packet delimitation data from the frame containing at least multiplexed PPP packets, PPP multiplexed identification data and PPP packet delimitation data;
• and
• demultiplexing the frame based on the PPP packet delimitation data to obtain separate compressed UDP packets.

A point to point protocol packet communication apparatus comprising:

• a point to point protocol packet header compressor having an input and an output, the input being operatively coupled to receive a plurality of point to point protocol (PPP) packets for communication over a communication link;
• a PPP packet multiplexer operatively coupled to the output of the PPP packet header compressor, and operative to create a frame containing at least;
• multiplexed PPP packets from the plurality of PPP packets, PPP multiplexed identification data and PPP packet delimitation data;
• a PPP packet demultiplexer operatively responsive to frames containing at least the multiplexed PPP packets from the plurality of PPP packets, PPP multiplexed identification date and PPP packet delimitation data;
• and
• a point to point protocol packet header de-compressor having an input and an output, the input being operatively coupled to receive a plurality of demultiplexed packets from the PPP packet demultiplexer, the output providing decompressed PPP packets.