FIBRE LINK SUPERFRAME FORMAT

摘要

A serial optical link for transmission of payload data is utilised so as to permit transmission of information facility data unrelated to the payload data. A superframe is constructed at the transmission facility made up of a serial series of data frames. Each data frame consists of serially arranged words including a numb er of payload data words and a non-payload word. One non-payload word of the superframe ha s information facility data which provides a communication channel from the transmitting facility to the receiving facility for information unrelated to the communication of payload data. Another non-payload word has alarm and status facility data. The information facility data is stored in a FIFO buffer when received. If the FIFO buffer i s within two words of being full, a full signal is incorporated in the next alarm and status facility data word which causes the receiving end to suspend sending information facility data words.