Method for quick identification of special data packets

摘要

In packetized data communication, certain special data packets must be identified quickly without the variable overhead of processing through the data protocol stack. A common example of such packets is those used for triggering events: immediate action must be taken on their arrival. This disclosure concerns a method for identifying such packets through the use of the error checking codes which are usually included in packet transmission protocols. By adding appropriate bits to a special data packet before transmission, the error checking code can be forced to a specific, predetermined sequence which will be recognized by error checking hardware at a receiver. If the specific sequence is all ones (or all zeros), the recognition hardware can be simplified.