Data processing system having a fifo buffer with variable threshold value based on input and output data rates and data block size

Abstract

A data processor ( ) includes a first-in, first-out (FIFO) buffer ( ) having a variable threshold. The FIFO buffer ( ) has a plurality of entries ( ) for storing at least a portion of a data block that is to be transmitted through the FIFO buffer ( ). To allow data blocks of varying size to be transmitted at different data rates, a variable threshold value for determining a maximum fullness of the FIFO buffer ( ) is automatically calculated by the data processor ( ) for each data block. This allows the data block to be transmitted through the FIFO buffer ( ) as a continuous data stream, without interruption, from the data processor ( ) to a data consumer. The variable threshold value is appended to a first entry of the data block along with start bits to indicate a beginning of the data block. The FIFO buffer ( ) may include read and write counters ( ) and a comparator ( ) for comparing a difference between read and write pointers and the variable threshold value.