Importance

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Abstract

A communication system which includes more efficient packet conversion and routing for improved performance and simplified operation. The present invention includes an improved method for converting data packets between a plurality of different packet formats using a pre-defined generic packet format for simplified conversions. In order to perform a packet conversion, the method first converts a data packet having a first packet format to a the pre-defined generic packet format. The method then converts the data packet having the predefined generic packet format to a desired second different packet format. The method is thus operable to convert a data packet having any of a plurality of possible packet format types to the pre-defined generic packet format, and to convert a data packet having the pre-defined generic packet format to a data packet having any of the plurality of possible packet format types. The present invention also includes a system comprising a plurality of processors which operate to exchange packets in a common format, such as the generic format described above. In this embodiment, the system includes an instruction field comprising instructions within each of the data packets to produce instruction encoded packets. Each of the plurality of processors operate to exchange the instruction encoded packets in the common format. Each of the plurality of processors are operable to include instructions in an instruction field of a packet and to execute instructions from the instruction field comprised in the instruction encoded packets. The instructions may direct a processor to perform operations on data comprised in the instruction encoded packets or perform routing operations on the instruction encoded packets.

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First Claim