System and method for router data aggregation and delivery

Abstract

A chunk format for a large-scale, high data throughput router includes a preamble that allows each individual chunk to have clock and data recovery performed before the chunk data is retrieved. The format includes a chunk header that contains information specific to the entire chunk. A chunk according to the present format can contain multiple packet segments, with each segment having its own packet header for packet-specific information. The format provides for a scrambler seed which allows scrambling the data to achieve a favorable zero and one balance as well as minimal run lengths. There are forward error correction (FEC) bytes as well as a chunk cyclical redundancy check (CRC) to detect and/or correct any errors and also to insure a high degree of data and control integrity. Advantageously, a framing symbol inserted into the chunk format itself allows the receiving circuitry to identify or locate a particular chunk format. 'Break Bytes' and 'Make Bytes' fields located at the beginning of a chunk preamble precondition an optical receiver to a proper state before the actual chunk arrives at the receiver.