Method and circuit for transporting data based on the content of ingress data words and egress data words

Abstract

A method and apparatus for transporting data include processing that begins by receiving a bit stream of data at a rate of at least a bit per input interval. The bit stream of data corresponds to ingress packetized data that has been packetized based on one of a plurality of data packetizing protocols (e.g., HDLC encapsulated data, frame relay, PPP, and/or SMDS). As the bit stream is received, the data is extracted from the bit stream to produce extracted data, which is stored in ingress local memory. When a sufficient amount of extracted data is stored in the ingress local memory (i.e., an ingress data word is stored), it is transported to a non-local memory, where the transporting is based, at least in part, on content of the ingress data word. The processing also includes transporting stored egress data words from a non-local memory to an egress local memory based, at least in part, on content of the egress data words. The egress data words are then packetized based on a data packetizing protocol to produce egress packetized data. The egress packetized data is then outputted in a serial manner at the rate of at least one bit per output interval. The input and output intervals are based on time slot synchronization information, which, in turn, is based on at least one of a clock signal, the ingress data transport protocol, the egress data transport protocol.