Abstract:
Apparatus and method for providing fine timing assistance to global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) via wireless local area network (WLAN). In one embodiment, a method for synchronizing a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver includes receiving, by a wireless device, via a wireless local area network (WLAN), fine time assistance information transmitted by an assisting device connected to the WLAN. A time value of a GNSS clock of the wireless device is adjusted based on the fine time assistance information. Based on the adjusted time value, GNSS codes of a GNSS positioning signal are acquired by the wireless device.
Abstract:
A method of powerline communications including a first node and at least a second node on a powerline communications (PLC) channel in a PLC network. The first node sends a physical layer (PHY) data frame on the PLC channel including a preamble, a PHY header, a MAC header and a MAC payload. The MAC header includes a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) field (MH-CRC field). The second node receives the data frame, parses the MAC header to reach the MH-CRC field, and performs CRC verification using the MH-CRC field to verify the MAC header. If the CRC verification is successful, (i) the second node parses another portion of the MAC header to identify a destination address of the data frame and (ii) to determine whether the data frame is intended for the second node from the destination address.
Abstract:
A wireless combination device includes a first wireless transceiver configured for communication via a first wireless network over a first band, and a second wireless transceiver configured for communication via a second wireless network over a second band that overlaps the second band. The combination device includes a medium allocation scheduler coupled to the first wireless transceiver and second wireless transceiver for implementing spaced-mode operation that intentionally inserts idle gaps in transmissions via the second wireless network when triggered by the presence of at least one spaced-mode triggering condition. The idle gaps allow wireless transmissions via the first wireless network to be received by the combination device with higher probability, and without the need for clear to send (C2S) protection.
Abstract:
A system and method for reducing power consumption of a wireless device operating as a soft access point. In one embodiment, a wireless device includes a soft access point controller that configures the wireless device to operate as a group owner in a peer-to-peer wireless local area network. The soft access point controller includes a beacon controller. The beacon controller is configured to transmit beacon frames at a first periodic interval. The beacon controller is also configured to extend a discovery interval of a wireless station by transmitting acknowledgement packets at a second periodic interval. The second periodic interval is shorter than the first periodic interval and shorter than a minimum discovery scan timeout of the wireless station.
Abstract:
An algorithm for the promotion of terminal nodes to switch nodes in a PLC network reduces overall network overhead and collisions, while ensuring the appropriate selection of a switch node and minimizing the number of levels in a PLC network. It also ensures that the terminal nodes with appropriate signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are promoted. It is desirable to have a network with fewer levels. The disclosed approach favors the nodes that are closer to the DC to promote them as switch nodes. This is achieved by waiting for a smaller number of PNPDUs for a node that is closer to the DC in comparison to a node that is farther away from the DC.
Abstract:
A method of communications in a network having plurality of nodes including a base node (BN) and a plurality of levels (i) each including at least one service node (SN). The number (Ni(t)) of SNs registered in each of a plurality of i are determined. The current Keep Alive timer out (KA_TO) value for a KA timer at the BN is dynamically adjusted to an updated KA_TO value based on Ni(t) and i. Dynamically adjusting KA_TO values reduces the KA message overhead the network compared to known KA_TO value implementations.
Abstract:
A method for reducing interference on a shared powerline communications (PLC) channel in a PLC network including a first node using a multi-carrier modulation communication standard operating at a first and second carrier frequency and a second node using a single-carrier modulation communication standard operating based on a single-carrier frequency. (i) Non-overlapping transmission times are determined for transmissions by the first node relative to second node transmission times for transmissions from the second node or (ii) non-overlapping frequencies are selected for the first carrier frequency and second carrier frequency which do not overlap with the single-carrier frequency or frequencies based on the single-carrier frequency. The second node transmits using the single-carrier modulation communication standard at the second node transmission times. The first node transmits using the multi-carrier modulation communication standard at the non-overlapping transmission times or non-overlapping frequencies.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing superframe coordination in beacon-enabled networks are described. In various implementations, these systems and methods may be applicable to Power Line Communications (PLC). For example, a method may include implementing a Media Access Control (MAC) superframe using a communication device. The MAC superframe may include a plurality of beacon slots, a plurality of Contention Access Period (CAP) slots following the plurality of beacon slots, a Contention Free Period (CFP) poll access slot following the plurality of CAP slots, a CFP slot following the CFP poll access slot, an inactivity period following the CFP slot, a beacon region following the inactivity period, and a communication slot following the beacon region. The method may also include communicating with another communication device using the MAC superframe.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing beacon-enabled communications for variable payload transfers are described. In various embodiments, these systems and methods may be applicable to power line communications (PLC). For example, a method may include implementing a superframe having a plurality of beacon slots, a plurality of intermediate slots following the beacon slots, and a poll-based Contention Free Period (CFP) slot following the intermediate slots. Each of the beacon slots and each of the intermediate slots may correspond to a respective one of a plurality of frequency subbands, and the poll-based CFP slot may correspond to a combination of the plurality of frequency subbands. The method may also include receiving a poll request over a first of the plurality of frequency subbands during the poll-based CFP slot, and then transmitting a data packet over a second of the plurality of frequency subbands during the poll-based CFP slot.
Abstract:
A wireless device comprises a first wireless transceiver, a second wireless transceiver, and control logic. The control logic is coupled to the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver. The control logic is configured to determine whether to transmit protection frames (e.g., clear-to-send 2 self frames) based upon sequence numbers in frames received from another device.