
System-Level Design 133
However, how big a buffer will be needed to handle the data? Well, the
packet size is 10 bytes, so a packet requires 10 bytes of storage. Given that
the average rate at which a packet can be received is 2 per second, then
the system will have to process 20 characters a second. And the minimum
storage would have to be 20 CHARs, 10 for the current packet, plus 10
more to hold the accumulating data in the second packet.
OK, the system needs a minimum of 20 CHARs to buffer the in-
coming data. However, what happens if the peak rate is five packets per
second? Now we need more storage; a minimal 20 CHAR buffer will be
overrun. ...