Packet information field data format

Abstract

A packet information field format is disclosed which facilitates packet buffer memory overflow control. Generation of the information field is such that like bits from samples representing a corresponding communication channel from a plurality of frames are grouped together. In a specific embodiment, the bits from the communication channel samples are arranged in groups including the most significant bits to the least significant bits. The packet header also includes a field which can have an indication therein of whether bits can be dropped from the packet and an indication of whether bits have already been dropped from the packet. Consequently, dropping of bits from the packet is readily achieved by first dropping the group including the least significant bits, then dropping the group including the next to least significant bits, if necessary, and so on until it is determined that the entire packet should be dropped, if necessary.