Communication System And Method For Minimum Burst Duration

Abstract

A system and method for providing a minimum burst duration in accordance with a regional standard and/or requirement. One embodiment comprises a first interface ( 204 ) configured to receive data to be communicated, a memory ( 208 ) configured to store a value corresponding to a regional minimum duration, a processor ( 202 ) configured to generate a frame, configured to compare a duration of the generated frame with the regional minimum duration, configured to add at least one padding symbol to the generated frame to generate a second frame, the second frame having a duration at least equal to the regional minimum duration, and a second interface ( 206 ) configured to communicate the second frame onto a communication channel.

1 . A method for extending the duration of a communicated frame, the method comprising:
 generating a frame;   comparing a duration of the generated frame with a specified minimum duration;   adding at least one padding symbol to the generated frame such that a duration of a second frame is increased at least to a predetermined duration corresponding to at least the specified minimum duration; and communicating the second frame.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding a last sequence of symbols, the sequence indicating an end of the second frame. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adding the padding symbols further comprises varying the number of symbols added to the generated frame. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining a duration difference between the duration of the generated frame and the minimum duration. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising determining the number of padding symbols, wherein the determined number of padding symbols corresponds to the determined duration difference. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising specifying the minimum duration. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising changing the specified minimum duration to a second minimum duration, wherein the number of padding symbols corresponds to the second minimum duration. 
     
     
         8 . A system which extends the duration of a frame to be communicated, comprising:
 a first interface configured to receive data to be communicated;   a memory configured to store a value corresponding to a specified minimum duration;   a processor configured to generate a frame to be communicated, configured to compare a duration of the generated frame with the minimum duration, configured to add at least one padding symbol to the generated frame to generate a second frame, the second frame having a duration at least equal to the minimum duration; and   a second interface configured to communicate the second frame onto a communication. channel.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the memory further comprises a specified minimum duration corresponding to the specified minimum duration. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the memory further comprises a regional padding symbol value corresponding to the specified regional minimum duration. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the System comprises at least one selected from a group consisting of a computer terminal  116 , a digital telephone device, an Internet television device, an audio device, a multimedia device, a facsimile (fax) device, a graphic device, a high-speed Internet device, a high-speed local access network (LAN) device, an Internet telephone device, a stereo/audio device, a digital television device, a digital video cassette recorder device, a utility meter device, a home management device and a security device. 
     
     
         12 . A system which extends the duration of a frame to be communicated, comprising:
 means for receiving data to be communicated;   means for generating a frame;   means for comparing a burst duration of the generated frame with a specified minimum burst duration;   means for adding at least one padding symbol to the generated frame such that a burst duration of a second frame is increased at least to a predetermined burst duration corresponding to at least the specified minimum burst duration; and   means for communicating the second frame.   
     
     
         13 . A computer-readable medium having a program for extending the duration of a communicated frame, the program comprising logic configured to perform the steps of:
 receiving a data to be communicated;   generating a frame;   comparing a duration of the generated frame with a specified minimum duration;   adding at least one padding symbol to the generated frame such that a duration of a second frame is increased at least to a predetermined duration corresponding to at least the specified minimum duration; and   communicating the second frame.