Abstract:
A communication device in a network may receive a stream of frames from the network, in which each frame includes one or more beacon packets. A communication protocol being used by the network may be identified by tracking a preselected field within a sequence of beacon packets, in which the preselected field varies in a first known manner for a first protocol and in a second known manner for a second protocol. The communication device may then join to the network using the identified communication protocol to transmit and receive data.
Abstract:
A band of interest is divided into band segments. A scan frame is sent by a transmitter at a transmitting PLC node across each band segment. A receiver at a receiving node scans the band segments, listening for the scan frame. Upon detecting a scan frame, the receiving node measures the signal quality of each OFDM subcarrier modulated with symbols from the scan frame. The subcarrier signal quality values are stored in a table. Upon completion of the scan process, the table contains a signal quality value for each subcarrier within the band of interest. The table is then analyzed to find an operating band consisting of subcarriers with a highest average signal quality or a band that results in greater than a pre-determined minimum signal quality. The invented methods and embodiments may operate periodically to readjust the operating band configuration in the presence of electromagnetic interference including time-variant interference.
Abstract:
A communication system and method includes receiving payload data of first and second media access control (MAC) frames. A MAC-level protocol is identified in response to the indication of the selected network for each of the first and second MAC frames. The payload data of the first and second MAC frames is transmitted and/or received across respective networks transmitted using, for example, power line communications signals over a common communications medium. The common communications medium is operable for carrying signals of a plurality of networks.
Abstract:
A network system comprising a first network element and a second network element. The first network element is programmed to provide the step of first, communicating to the second network element a plurality of configuration parameter sets. Each configuration parameter set corresponds to a respective frame fragment and comprises a parameter value that differs in value from the parameter value in another configuration parameter set in the plurality of configuration parameter sets. The first network element also is programmed to provide the step of second, communicating a frame, to the second network element, in a plurality of frame fragments, wherein each frame fragment in the plurality of frame fragments is communicated according to a respective parameter value in the plurality of configuration parameter sets.
Abstract:
Disclosed embodiments include a network device having a split network stack that includes a physical (PHY) layer associated with first and second media access control (MAC) protocol sublayers, a processing device, and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to select a route through the split network stack that includes one of the first and second MAC protocol sublayers but not the other one of the first and second MAC protocol sublayers.
Abstract:
Disclosed embodiments include a network device having a split network stack that includes a physical (PHY) layer associated with first and second media access control (MAC) protocol sublayers, a processing device, and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to select a route through the split network stack that includes one of the first and second MAC protocol sublayers but not the other one of the first and second MAC protocol sublayers.
Abstract:
A network system comprising a first network element and a second network element. The first network element is programmed to provide the step of first, communicating to the second network element a plurality of configuration parameter sets. Each configuration parameter set corresponds to a respective frame fragment and comprises a parameter value that differs in value from the parameter value in another configuration parameter set in the plurality of configuration parameter sets. The first network element also is programmed to provide the step of second, communicating a frame, to the second network element, in a plurality of frame fragments, wherein each frame fragment in the plurality of frame fragments is communicated according to a respective parameter value in the plurality of configuration parameter sets.
Abstract:
Methods and circuitry for transmitting data between a first network operating in a first frequency band and a second network operating in a second frequency are disclosed. An example of a method includes receiving a first data frame transmitted in the first network in the first frequency band. A transmitter is switched to transmit in the second frequency band, A second data frame is transmitted in the second frequency band, wherein the second data frame includes a payload section, and wherein at least a portion of the first data frame is in the payload section of the second data frame.
Abstract:
A band of interest is divided into band segments. A scan frame is sent by a transmitter at a transmitting PLC node across each band segment. A receiver at a receiving node scans the band segments, listening for the scan frame. Upon detecting a scan frame, the receiving node measures the signal quality of each OFDM subcarrier modulated with symbols from the scan frame. The subcarrier signal quality values are stored in a table. Upon completion of the scan process, the table contains a signal quality value for each subcarrier within the band of interest. The table is then analyzed to find an operating band consisting of subcarriers with a highest average signal quality or a band that results in greater than a pre-determined minimum signal quality. The invented methods and embodiments may operate periodically to readjust the operating band configuration in the presence of electromagnetic interference including time-variant interference.
Abstract:
A method of operating a communication system is disclosed. The method includes forming a data frame having plural orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) symbols. A first set of preamble subcarriers is allocated to at least one of the OFDM symbols. A second set of data subcarriers is allocated to said at least one of the OFDM symbols.