def receive_transmission(min_length=0)
      data = receive_transmission_data
      # Check the nature of the received data variable:
      if data
        # Sometimes the incoming transmission may be broken up into smaller pieces:
        # Unless a short answer is expected, we will continue to listen if the first answer was too short:
        unless min_length == 0
          if data.length < min_length
            addition = receive_transmission_data
            data = data + addition if addition
          end
        end
      else
        # It seems there was no incoming message and the operation timed out.
        # Convert the variable to an empty string.
        data = ""
      end
      data
    end
def receive_transmission(min_length=0)
      data = receive_transmission_data
      # Check the nature of the received data variable:
      if data
        # Sometimes the incoming transmission may be broken up into smaller pieces:
        # Unless a short answer is expected, we will continue to listen if the first answer was too short:
        unless min_length == 0
          if data.length < min_length
            addition = receive_transmission_data
            data = data + addition if addition
          end
        end
      else
        # It seems there was no incoming message and the operation timed out.
        # Convert the variable to an empty string.
        data = ""
      end
      data
    end
Handles an incoming network transmission.
 Returns the binary string data received.

 === Notes

 If a minimum length has been specified, and a message is received which is shorter than this length,
 the method will keep listening for more incoming network packets to append.

 === Parameters

 * <tt>min_length</tt> -- Integer. The minimum possible length of a valid incoming transmission.