SCHNITTSTELLE FUER EINE DIGITALE VERBINDUNGSLEITUNG HOHER GESCHWINDIGKEIT UND ANZUWENDENDE METHODE

A digital trunk interface utilizing a first protocol handler (106) to signal the start of a packet and a second protocol handler (102) responsive to the packet delayed to initiate the storage of the packet internally to the digital trunk interface (120). The digital trunk interface comprises a microprocessor (101). The protocol handlers are also universal synchronous asynchronous receiver transmitter (USART) circuits. One USART (106) is directly connected to the incoming digital trunk and is utilized to inform the microprocessor (101) when a packet is first received. The second USART (102) receives the packet delayed by a predefined amount of time from the digital trunk. The delay is determined by a delay circuit (103). The microprocessor is responsive to the signal from the first USART (106) that a packet has been received to perform the necessary administrative functions for receipt of the packet by the second USART (102).