Frame status encoding for communication networks
First Claim
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1. A method of encoding additional status information in a frame status field for use in a packet to be transmitted over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
- examining a count subfield of the frame status field to determine how many bit positions of a status subfield are being used;
encoding as many additional status bits into the status subfield as will fit in unused bit positions; and
if not all desired additional status bits can be encoded in the status subfield, encoding at least one additional status bit into a bit position of the count subfield that is not being used for particular count values stored in the subfield.
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Abstract
A method and corresponding apparatus for encoding and decoding additional status bits into an existing frame status byte transmitted as part of a packet of information in a communication network. The described scheme provides for the encoding and decoding of two additional status bits, without having to modify the packet format. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, the additional status bits are used to convey information to a node processor concerning decryption processing of a received information packets.
55 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of encoding additional status information in a frame status field for use in a packet to be transmitted over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
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examining a count subfield of the frame status field to determine how many bit positions of a status subfield are being used; encoding as many additional status bits into the status subfield as will fit in unused bit positions; and if not all desired additional status bits can be encoded in the status subfield, encoding at least one additional status bit into a bit position of the count subfield that is not being used for particular count values stored in the subfield. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of decoding additional status information from a frame status field in a packet transmitted over a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:
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examining a count subfield of the frame status field to determine how many bit positions of a status subfield are being used; decoding as many additional status bits as are encoded into unused bit positions of the status subfield; and decoding at least one additional status bit from a bit position of the count subfield that is not being used for particular count values stored in the subfield. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. Apparatus for encoding additional status information in a frame status field for use in a packet to be transmitted over a communication network, the apparatus comprising:
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means for examining a count subfield of the frame status field to determine how many bit positions of a status subfield are being used; means for encoding as many additional status bits into the status subfield as will fit in unused bit positions; and means operative if not all desired additional status bits can be encoded in the status subfield, for encoding at least one additional status bit into a bit position of the count subfield that is not being used for particular count values stored in the subfield. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for decoding additional status information from a frame status field in a packet transmitted over a communication network, the apparatus comprising:
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means for examining a count subfield of the frame status field to determine how many bit positions of a status subfield are being used; means for decoding as many additional status bits as are encoded into unused bit positions of the status subfield; and means for decoding at least one additional status bit from a bit position of the count subfield that is not being used for particular count values stored in the subfield. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of encoding additional status information in a frame status field for use in a pipeline processing sytem in which there is a need to pass additional status from a processor in an intermediate stage of the pipeline, the method comprising the steps of:
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examining a count subfield of the frame status field to determine how many bit positions of a status subfield are being used; encoding as many additional status bits into the status subfield as will fit in unused bit positions; and if not all desired additional status bits can be encoded in the status subfield, encoding at least one additional status bit into a bit position of the count subfield that is not being used for particular count values stored in the subfield. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method of decoding additional status information from a frame status field for use in a pipeline processing sytem in which there is a need to pass additional status from a processor in an intermediate stage of the pipeline, the method comprising the steps of:
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examining a count subfield of the frame status field to determine how many bit positions of a status subfield are being used; decoding as many additional status bits as are encoded into unused bit positions of the status subfield; and decoding at least one additional status bit from a bit position of the count subfield that is not being used for particular count values stored in the subfield. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification