Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110117967 | INTER-CELL INTERFERENCE COORDINATION - A system and method for coordinating interference in cellular systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a cellular base station interference coordinator includes an interference estimator. The interference estimator estimates a level of interference caused by transmissions controlled by a host base station for each of a plurality of radio resources, and provides interference estimates corresponding to the radio resources to a target base station. Each interference estimate is based on transmit power and channel strength to the target base station for each transmission controlled by the host base station for a radio resource. | 05-19-2011 |
20110222409 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE OF RESERVED MEDIUM IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - A system and method for using reserved resources in coexisting wireless networks. In one embodiment, a wireless apparatus includes a receiver, a network activity monitor, and a network access scheduler. The receiver is configured to identify a received network reservation message that inhibits access to a first wireless network for an interval defined in the reservation message. The network activity monitor is configured to monitor wireless activity on the first wireless network during the interval. The network access scheduler is configured to determine whether the reservation message prevents conflict of the first wireless network with a coexisting wireless network during the interval, and to schedule, based on a determination that the reservation message prevents conflict with the coexisting wireless network, the wireless apparatus to transmit on the first wireless network during the interval to a wireless device other than a wireless device identified in the reservation message. | 09-15-2011 |
20110225305 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING GROUP OWNER INTENT - A system comprising a first wireless device which comprises a first group owner intent determination unit. The first group owner intent determination unit is configured to determine a group owner intent value of the first wireless device based on: whether the first wireless device is configured to access a coexisting wireless network, the power remaining in the first wireless device at the time the group owner intent value determination is made, whether the first wireless device is a group owner in another peer to peer group, a received signal strength indication of the first wireless device, and/or whether the first wireless device is required to perform a cross-connection between an infrastructure basic service set and a peer to peer group. | 09-15-2011 |
20110310826 | INTENTIONAL IDLE GAPS IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - 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. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310859 | BASIC SERVICE SET SCHEDULING BASED ON MEDIA ACCESS CONTROLLER STATES - Apparatus and methods for controlling a wireless device concurrently operating in more than one basic service set (BSS). In one embodiment, a wireless device includes a first medium access controller (MAC), a second MAC, and a BSS scheduler. The first MAC is configured to communicate in a first BSS via a first wireless network. The second MAC is configured to communicate in a second BSS via a second wireless network. The BSS scheduler is configured to time multiplex medium access by the first and second MACs. Each of the first and second MACs is configured to provide a response to the BSS scheduler and to relinquish medium access when a request to relinquish medium access is received by the MAC, the timing of the response and relinquishment based on an activity state of the MAC when the request is received. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310869 | ENHANCING PACKET AGGREGATION PERFORMANCE IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - A method of communications for a coexisting wireless network including a wireless combination (combo) device communicating via a first wireless network and second wireless network, and a first wireless device on the first network. During an activity interval for the second network (i) a transmit (Tx) time interval is longer in duration than a Tx packet duration and/or (ii) a receive (Rx) time interval is longer in duration than a Rx packet duration to provide remaining time. A frame aggregated packet is used on the first network that includes a plurality of data packets and a dummy packet or spoofing so that the frame aggregated packet is extended in time or indicates an extension sufficient to overlap the Tx time interval or Rx time interval. The combo device transmits or receives an acknowledgement (ACK) on the first network during the activity interval for the second wireless network. | 12-22-2011 |
20110317719 | DATA LINK LAYER HEADERS - A system for communicating protocol layer processing information is disclosed herein. A transmitter includes a protocol layer header generator that generators a header for a first protocol data unit. The header generator provides a first header comprising a first sequence number field that determines the order in which a receiving entity present the first data unit to higher protocol layer. The sequence number field varies in length. A receiver includes a protocol layer header parser that parses a header of a first protocol data unit. The header parser parses a first header comprising a first sequence number field that determines the order in which the first data unit is presented to a higher protocol layer. The sequence number field varies in length. | 12-29-2011 |
20120020266 | POWER STATE AND MEDIUM ACCESS COORDINATION IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - Apparatus and method for improving throughput in a wireless device accessing coexisting networks. In one embodiment, a wireless device includes first and second wireless transceivers, a power state controller, and an access controller. The first wireless transceiver is configured to access a first wireless network. The second wireless transceiver is configured to access a second wireless network. The power state controller is configured to switch the first wireless transceiver between an active state and a sleep state. The power consumed by the first wireless transceiver while in the sleep state is reduced relative to the active state. The access controller is configured to alternately allocate a wireless medium to the first wireless transceiver and the second wireless transceiver. The power state controller and the medium access controller are configured to coordinate power state switching of the first wireless transceiver and wireless medium access by the second wireless transceiver. | 01-26-2012 |
20120106381 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOFT ACCESS POINT POWER REDUCTION - 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. | 05-03-2012 |
20120106418 | CLIENT' DEVICE POWER REDUCTION IN WIRELESS NETWORKS HAVING NETWORK-COMPUTED CLIENT' LOCATION - A method of reducing client power consumption in a wireless network including a network server which provides computed client' locations, at least one access point (AP), and a plurality of wireless stations (STAs) including a first wireless station (STA1). The AP periodically sends beacon frames that span a beacon period, wherein at least a first beacon frame is sent during the beacon period. The STA1 sends a location request frame to the AP requesting a STA1 location. During the beacon period the STA1 wakes up from a powersave (PS) mode or a sleep mode and sends a PSPoll frame to the AP. Responsive to the PSPoll frame, the AP replies with a priority response being a data frame including a location response packet including the STA1 location or a Null frame if the STA1 location is not available. | 05-03-2012 |
20120106528 | UNIFIED PROTOCOL STACK FOR COLOCATED WIRELESS TRANSCEIVERS - A system and method for accessing a wireless network via unified protocol stack. In one embodiment a wireless networking system includes a wireless device. The wireless device includes a first wireless transceiver, a second wireless transceiver, a processor, and a unified protocol stack. The first wireless transceiver is configured for communication via a first wireless network. The second wireless transceiver is configured for communication via a second wireless network. The unified protocol stack includes first protocols defined for accessing the first wireless network and second protocols defined for accessing the second wireless network. The unified protocol stack includes instructions that cause the processor to access the first wireless network via the first wireless transceiver using one of the second protocols. | 05-03-2012 |
20120127903 | POWER EFFICIENT TUNNELED DIRECT LINK SETUP APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein operate to provide wireless communication between personal mobile communication (PMC) devices. An emulated wireless access point (AP) at a first PMC device (PMC | 05-24-2012 |
20120129456 | Systems and Methods for Silencing Wireless Devices - Embodiments provide systems and methods to optimize the time when to receive transmissions from dissimilar wireless networks, and hence, improve the overall network throughput and avoid access point transmission rate fall-back mechanism having an avalanche effect during coexistence of dissimilar wireless network technologies. A receiver comprises at least two dissimilar network technology subsystems and is able to receive transmissions from dissimilar wireless network technology subsystems during a predetermined reception window. | 05-24-2012 |
20120163261 | TIMING MEASUREMENTS BETWEEN WIRELESS STATIONS WITH REDUCED POWER CONSUMPTION - A method of obtaining timing parameters between wireless station peers using reduced power. A timing measurement protocol is executed a including a plurality of Timing Measurement Action (TMA) frames between a first wireless station (STA | 06-28-2012 |
20120182979 | PERFORMANCE IN A DUAL BSS ENVIRONMENT - An integrated circuit includes logic configured to adjust an original service time of a first Wi-Fi Basic Service Set connection (“BSS”), out of a plurality of BSSs configured to be associated with a communication device, to an adjusted service time based on an unsuccessful acknowledgement transmission or reception in a previous service time on the first BSS. At least one of the plurality of BSSs is supportive of a peer-to-peer connection. | 07-19-2012 |
20120184330 | SELECTIVE PROTECTION BASED ON SEQUENCE NUMBERS IN COEXISTING NETWORKS - 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. | 07-19-2012 |
20120195227 | ADVERTIZED POWER-SAVE MODES FOR DIFFERENT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS - In at least some embodiments, a wireless communication device includes a transceiver having control logic to detect traffic conditions for a communication group and to enter different power-save modes for different traffic conditions. The control logic is configured to advertize a first power-save mode to the communication group in response to a first detected traffic condition, to advertize a second power-save mode to the communication group in response to a second detected traffic condition, and to advertize a third power-save mode to the communication group in response to a third detected traffic condition. | 08-02-2012 |
20120229334 | FINE TIME ASSISTANCE FOR GLOBAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEMS - 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. | 09-13-2012 |
20120263189 | Beacon-Enabled Communications for Variable Payload Transfers - 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. | 10-18-2012 |
20120275326 | Non-Beacon Network Communications Using Frequency Subbands - Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing non-beacon network communications using frequency subbands are described. In various implementations, these systems and methods may be applicable to Power Line Communications (PLC). For example, a method may include transmitting a beacon request message over a given one of a plurality of frequency subbands, receiving a plurality of beacons in response to having transmitted the beacon request message, each of the plurality of beacons received over a respective one of the plurality of frequency subbands, and calculating a downlink quality report based, at least in part, upon the received beacons. The method may also include transmitting the downlink quality report over each of the plurality of frequency subbands and receiving a subband allocation command in response to having transmitted the downlink quality report, the subband allocation command indicating a downlink subband assignment and an uplink subband assignment. | 11-01-2012 |
20120281533 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TIME OPTIMIZATION FOR SILENCING WIRELESS DEVICES IN COEXISTENCE NETWORKS - In at least some embodiments, a communication device includes a transceiver with at least two dissimilar wireless network technology subsystems. The communication device also includes a silencing frame controller to monitor access point rate drop behavior and to adjust a level of silencing frame operations for the communication device based on the monitored access point drop behavior. | 11-08-2012 |
20120281716 | Hybrid Communication Networks - Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing hybrid communication networks are described. In various embodiments, these systems and methods may be applicable to power line communications (PLC). For example, one or more of the techniques disclosed herein may include methods to coordinate medium-to-low voltage (MV-LV) and low-to-low voltage (LV-LV) PLC networks when the MV-LV network operates in a frequency subband mode and the LV-LV network operates in wideband mode (i.e., hybrid communications). In some cases, MV routers and LV routers may have different profiles. For instance, MV-LV communications may be performed using MAC superframe structures, and first-level LV to lower-level LV communications may take place using a beacon mode. Lower layer LV nodes may communicate using non-beacon modes. Also, initial scanning procedures may encourage first-to-second -level LV device communications rather than MV-to-first-level LV connections. | 11-08-2012 |
20120281717 | Superframe Coordination in Beacon-Enabled Networks - 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. | 11-08-2012 |
20120282948 | WIRELESS-BASED POSITIONING WITHOUT ASSOCIATION - A wireless location assist device (WLAD) comprises control logic and a wireless radio coupled to the control logic. The control logic causes the radio to perform at least one of wireless local area network (WLAN) beacon transmission and WLAN probe request receipt and response. The control logic never permits the WLAD to associate with a wireless station. | 11-08-2012 |
20120294377 | Beacon Selection in Communication Networks - Systems and methods for beacon selection in communication networks are described. In various implementations, these systems and methods may be applicable to Power Line Communications (PLC). For example, a method may include performing, using a terminal device deployed in a communications network, receiving a beacon transmitted by a switch device within the communications network and, in response to the terminal device having had a previous connection with the switch device, determining a connection time of the previous connection. The method may also include performing at least one of: adding the switch device to a blacklist in response to the connection time being smaller than a first threshold value, or selecting the switch device for subsequent communication in response to the connection time being greater than a second threshold value. | 11-22-2012 |
20120300700 | EVENT-BASED KEEP ALIVE TIMES IN COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A method of communicating in a network having a plurality of nodes including a base node (BN), and a plurality of service nodes (SNs) having at least one switch node (SW) and at least one terminal node (TN). The method includes at least one of a) a first SN from the plurality of SNs receiving (i) a data/ALV_B/ACK frame from the BN or (ii) a beacon from the BN or SW, and restarting a first KA timer at the first SN upon (i) or (ii), and b) restarting an ALV_S timer at the BN for the first SN upon receiving a data/ALV_S/ACK frame from the first SN. | 11-29-2012 |
20120314744 | PHY PAYLOAD OVER MULTIPLE TONE MASKS USING SINGLE TONE MASK PHY HEADER INFORMATION - A method of powerline communications (PLC) includes compiling a data frame for physical layer (PHY) by a first communications device at a first communications node on a powerline of a PLC network. The data frame includes a single tone PHY header portion and a data payload portion in a set of tones including at least one tone having a frequency different from a frequency of the single tone. The PHY header portion includes tone mask identification information identifying the set of tones. The first communications device transmits the data frame over the powerline to a second communications device at a second communications node on the powerline. The second communications device receives the data frame, and decodes the data payload using the tone mask identification information in the PHY header portion. | 12-13-2012 |
20120320931 | DYNAMIC SELECTION OF MAC INTERFRAME PARAMETERS IN PLC NETWORKS - A method of powerline communications (PLC) in a PLC network having a plurality of nodes including a first node and a second node. A first node receives a PLC signal from the second node. The first node decodes a media access control (MAC) frame of the PLC signal to determine a frame size of the MAC frame. Based on the frame size, dynamic selection of a Response Inter-Frame Space (RIFS) value from at least two candidate RIFS values and a Contention Inter-frame Space (CIFS) value from at least two candidate CIFS values is provided. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320932 | DATA FRAME FOR PLC HAVING DESTINATION ADDRESS IN THE PHY HEADER - A method of powerline communications including a first node and at least a second node on a PLC channel in a PLC network. The first node sends a physical layer (PHY) data frame on the PLC channel including a preamble, PHY header, a MAC header and a MAC payload. The PHY header includes a destination address field having a destination address therein. The second node receives the data frame. The second node compares its network address to the destination address before decoding the MAC header and MAC payload, providing power savings by allowing the second node to not decode the MAC header or MAC payload if its network address does not match the destination address in the PHY header of the data frame. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320995 | CO-EXISTENCE OF MULTI-CARRIER AND SINGLE CARRIER COMMUNICATION STANDARDS ON SHARED PLC CHANNEL - 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. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320996 | PREAMBLE SEQUENCE EXTENSION - A method of powerline communications between a plurality of nodes on a powerline communications (PLC) channel including a first node and a second node. At least one communication quality measure is determined for the PLC channel. Based on the communication quality measure, a preamble of a data frame is dynamically switched between a reference preamble having a reference symbol length including a reference number of syncP symbols and a reference number of syncM symbols and at least a first extended preamble having an extended symbol length that is greater than (>) the reference symbol length. The data frame is then transmitted on the PLC channel. | 12-20-2012 |
20120324322 | POWERLINE COMMUNICATION FRAMES HAVING CRC WITHIN HEADER - 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. | 12-20-2012 |
20120327770 | FLOW CONTROL FOR POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS - A method of powerline communications in a powerline communications (PLC) network including a first node and at least a second node. The first node transmits a data frame to the second node over a PLC channel. The second node has a data buffer for storing received information. The second node runs a flow control algorithm which determines a current congestion condition or a projected congestion condition of the data buffer based on at least one congestion parameter. The current congestion condition and projected congestion condition include nearly congested and fully congested. When the current or projected congestion condition is either nearly congested or fully congested, the second node transmits a BUSY including frame over the PLC channel to at least the first node. The first node defers transmitting of any frames to the second node for a congestion clearing wait time. | 12-27-2012 |
20130028156 | ACCESS CATEGORY-BASED POWER-SAVE FOR WI-FI DIRECT GROUP OWNER - A wireless device includes a peer-to-peer group owner processor that handles peer-to-peer transactions, a memory coupled to the peer-to-peer group owner processor, and a power state controller. The power state controller determines an access category of a communication received from a peer-to-peer client and determines a quality of service constraint for the access category. The power state controller also determines a power-save mechanism for the wireless device based on the quality of service constraint and implements the determined power-save mechanism. | 01-31-2013 |
20130028159 | SILENT POWER-SAVE MODE FOR A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE - In at least some embodiments, a wireless communication device includes a transceiver having control logic with a traffic learning mode and a silent power-save mode. During the traffic learning mode, the control logic is configured to determine a minimum periodicity value and a maximum periodicity value for all traffic flows served by the transceiver. During the silent power-save mode, the control logic is configured to toggle between a dozing period set to the minimum periodicity value and an active period set to a difference between the maximum periodicity value and the minimum periodicity value. | 01-31-2013 |
20130034110 | BROADCAST TRANSMISSION FOR MULTI-TONE MASK MODE OPERATION - A method of Multi-Tone Mask (MTM) mode communications in a PLC network including a first router associated with a plurality of nodes. A super-frame spanning a time period is received within the subnetwork. The super-frame includes beacon frames in beacon slots within a beacon period, with each beacon frame in one of N TMs, a contention access period (CAP) including a plurality of CAP slots provided for each TM, and a poll-based contention-free period (CFP). The beacon frames provide time assignments within the super-frame including time assignments for the CAP slots and for the CFP, and TM assignments for the TMs in the CAP slots. One of nodes, another router in the subnetwork, or a router in another subnetwork transmits a broadcast frame on the PLC channel. The first router forwards the broadcast frame on the PLC channel in each of the N TMs within the time period. | 02-07-2013 |
20130070781 | PROBABILISTIC CONTENTION WINDOW MANAGEMENT - Method and apparatus for communicating via a network. In one embodiment, a device for communicating via a network includes a medium access controller (MAC). The MAC is configured to apply a contention window for collision avoidance on the network, and to determine whether the network is free for use on expiration of a time value of the contention window. The MAC is also configured to initiate a transmission based on a determination that the network is free for use. The MAC is further configured to increase, in accordance with a predetermined probability value, the time value of the contention window based on: the transmission being successful; and the time value of the contention window being a minimum contention window time value. The probability value establishes the likelihood of the MAC increasing the time value of the contention window with respect to successful transmissions with the minimum contention window time value. | 03-21-2013 |
20130070790 | SUPERFRAME FORMAT FOR MV-LV COMMUNICATION IN MULTI TONE-MASK PLC NETWORKS - A method for multi-tone mask communication including generating, by a power line communication router, a superframe to include a plurality of beacons corresponding to a plurality of tone masks. Each beacon also defining a plurality of tone masks, a contention access region, a contention free period, an inter router communication slot. The superframe also includes at least one of the beacons also defining an idle time during which nodes receiving the superframe are to transition to a low power mode. Transmitting the superframe to a power line communication node. | 03-21-2013 |
20130094459 | Beacon Slot Allocation in Prime - Systems and methods for efficiently allocating beacon slot among multiple nodes on multiple levels within a power line communication network are described. In various implementations, these systems and methods may be applicable to Power Line Communications (PLC). For example, a method may include performing, by a communications device, assigning beacon transmission times to nodes within the communication device's network. The assigned beacon transmission times comprise a beacon slot and frame pattern. The beacon slot and frame pattern ensure that each node does not transmit a beacon in a beacon slot that is adjacent to a beacon slot assigned to a parent or child node. A beacon transmission slot is reserved for a base node in every frame. The frames may be organized into thirty-two-frame superframes, wherein each frame comprises a base node beacon slot and four switch node beacon slots. | 04-18-2013 |
20130094552 | Communication on a Pilot Wire - Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating on a pilot wire between Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) and an Electric Vehicle (EV). In an example embodiment, a modem is coupled to the pilot wire that couples the EVSE and the EV. The modem transmits both pulse width modulation (PWM) command signals and power line communication (PLC) signals to a remote device via the pilot wire. The modem interleaves the PWM and PLC signals on the pilot wire so that latency requirements for the PWM signals are maintained. The modem supports parallel protocol stacks in which PLC signals are processed in a first path and PWM signals are processed in a second path that bypasses the first path and provides the PWM signals directly to a MAC layer. The modem may create a modified frame for the PLC signals to maintain the latency requirements. | 04-18-2013 |
20130094597 | Joining Process for G3 Networks - Systems and methods for routing protocols for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method performed by a PLC device, such as a PLC meter, may include identifying at least one bootstrapping agent and a personal area network (PAN) identifier for one or more networks that are operating within a personal operating space of the PLC device. The device selects a target bootstrapping agent to use for the join process with a target network. The target bootstrapping agent may be selected from a list of bootstrapping agents associated with the target PAN identifier. If the attempt to join the target network fails, then the device further determines if other bootstrapping agents are associated with the target PAN identifier. The device selects an alternate target bootstrapping agent from the other bootstrapping agents that are associated with the target PAN identifier and reattempts the join process. | 04-18-2013 |
20130101003 | Relative Phase Detection in Power Line Communications Networks - Systems and methods for relative phase detection and zero crossing detection for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, both transmit and receive PLC devices detect a zero crossing on an AC mains phase. The devices start a phase detection counter (PDC) by generating a zero crossing pulse within 5% of the actual zero crossing time. When a frame is transmitted, the transmitting device includes a PDC value in the frame control header (FCH). The PDC value corresponds to the start time of the FCH. When the frame is received at the receive PLC device, the receive PLC device measures a local PDC value between the zero crossing and the start of the FCH. The receive device compares the local PDC value to the PDC value in the FCH of the received frame and determines if the devices are on the same phase. | 04-25-2013 |
20130104117 | Data Concentrator Initiated Multicast Firmware Upgrade - Systems and methods for implementing data concentrated initiated multicast firmware upgrade in power line communications (PLC) are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a method performed by a PLC device may include forming a group of PLC devices to receive a transmission of a data set, the group being organized according to a hierarchical structure, transmitting the data set to the group of PLC devices, determining whether a PLC device in the lowest level of the hierarchical structure is missing one or more portions of the data set, and retransmitting at least the missing portions of the data set until the lowest level of PLC devices each have the full data set. | 04-25-2013 |
20130121425 | Coexistence Method by Requesting Access to the Channel - Systems and methods for implementing coexistence by requesting access to a channel in power line communications (PLC) are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a method performed by a PLC device, such as a PLC meter, may include detecting a communication from foreign PLC device on a PLC network in response to a foreign preamble received by the PLC device, determining whether a threshold back-off duration has been reached, and transmitting a channel access request in response to a determination that the threshold back-off duration has been reached. | 05-16-2013 |
20130148746 | Scheduling for Charger and Electric Vehicle Communication in Power Line Communication System - Systems and methods for establishing scheduling for charger and electric vehicle communication in a PLC system are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a method performed by a PLC device. In a further embodiment, the PLC device may be configured to operate according to a narrow-band PLC communication protocol. In a further embodiment, the narrow-band PLC communications between PLC devices in the charger and the electric vehicle are conducted over a pilot wire coupling the charger to the electric vehicle. In still a further embodiment, the pilot wire may be one of a standard set of existing wires in a standard cable used for connecting the charger to the electric vehicle. | 06-13-2013 |
20130182686 | OPTIMIZATION OF DUAL BSS SCHEDULING - An integrated circuit includes logic configured to determine a communication schedule of a device configured to perform Wi-Fi communications in a first Basic Service Set (BSS) network and in a second BSS network. The logic determines the communication schedule based at least in part on a first BSS network communication load of the device and on a second BSS network communication load of the device. The communication schedule defines the service time allocation of the device in the first BSS network and the service time allocation of the device in the second BSS network. At least one of the first and the second BSS networks is supportive of a peer-to-peer connection. | 07-18-2013 |
20130182719 | Adaptive Sub-Band Algorithm for Point-To-Point Communication in PLC Networks - Embodiments of methods and systems for adaptive sub-band point-to-point communication are presented. In one embodiment a method includes performing functions using a power line communication (PLC) transmitter device. The method may include generating a first data packet having a first adaptive sub-band information set, the first sub-band information set comprising information to be used by a PLC receiver for determining a sub-band hopping pattern. The method may also include transmitting the first data packet on a first PLC sub-band. Additionally, the method may include hopping to a second PLC sub-band, and generating a second data packet having a second adaptive sub-band information set, the second sub-band information set comprising information to be used by the PLC receiver for determine the sub-band hopping pattern. The method may further include transmitting the second data packet on the second PLC sub-band. | 07-18-2013 |
20130194965 | KEEP ALIVE MESSAGE OVERHEAD REDUCTION FOR COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - 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. | 08-01-2013 |
20130194975 | Switch Table Update using Demotion Command in PRIME - Embodiments of methods and systems for switch table update using demotion command in PRIME are presented. In one embodiment, the method is performed by a power line communication (PLC) device. For example, the PLC device may be a data concentrator. In such an embodiment, the method may include receiving a request for registration from a node in a PLC network. The method may also include determining whether the node was previously included in the network according to an alternate network topology configuration. Additionally, the method may include issuing a notification to a group of switch nodes in the network instructing the switch nodes to update respective switch tables in response to a determination that the node was previously included in the network according to an alternate network topology configuration. | 08-01-2013 |
20130215885 | Transmission of Segmented Frames in Power Line Communication - Segmented frames of data may be transmitted from a transmitting device using conflict free slots (CFS) within a carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) protocol on a noisy media. At a receiver, a segmented frame of data is received. The data is represented by a plurality of tones. If requested by the transmitter, a tone map response command is prepared that specifies a set of optimized tone map parameters by analyzing the received frame of data. Any previously determined tone map response commands to the transmitting device are deleted. A sequence of frame segments may be received in conflict free slots, but only one tone map response is transmitted to the transmitting device after receiving the entire sequence of frame segments. | 08-22-2013 |
20130254615 | Network Throughput Using Multiple Reed-Solomon Blocks - Embodiments of methods and systems are presented for generating PHY frames with multiple Reed-Solomon encoded blocks in PLC networks. In one embodiment, a MAC layer divides a data frame from a higher level into data blocks. The MAC layer may add a MAC header and/or an error-detection code to each data block. The MAC layer then passes the data blocks to a PHY layer to be individually Reed-Solomon encoded and combined into a single PHY frame for transmission on a PLC network. In other embodiments, the MAC layer passes a single data frame to the PHY layer, which divides the MAC data frame into segments to be individually Reed-Solomon encoded. The individual Reed-Solomon encoded segments are combined into a single PHY frame for transmission on a PLC network. | 09-26-2013 |
20130266081 | Support for Multiple Systems Using Different Modulation Schemes in PLC Networks - Embodiments of methods and systems for using both new and older modulation schemes in PLC networks—thereby supporting legacy systems—are disclosed. In one embodiment, common frames that need to be understood by all nodes to support the network will be sent two or more times using different modulation techniques. For example, all broadcast frames, such as beacon requests, beacons, and route requests may be transmitted once with differential modulation and once with coherent modulation. In one configuration, the beacons with differential modulation may be transmitted in one beacon period, and the beacons with coherent modulation may be transmitted in another beacon period. In another configuration, the differential and coherent beacons for a particular tone mask are transmitted one after the other and before any other tone mask beacon is transmitted. | 10-10-2013 |
20130279515 | Overlapping Priority Contention Windows for G3 Power Line Communications Networks - Embodiments of methods and systems for overlapping priority contention windows in G3-PLC networks are presented. In one embodiment, a Normal Priority Contention Window (NPCW) is allowed to overlap with a High Priority Contention Window (HPCW). The minimum contention window for the normal priority frames (i.e., NPCW) is equal to or longer than the contention window for high priority frames (i.e., HPCW). By making the NPCW longer than the HPCW, the high priority frames will have a better chance than normal priority frames to get access to the channel on transmission reattempts. | 10-24-2013 |
20130294531 | Enabling Co-Existence among Power Line Communication (PLC) Technologies - Systems and methods for enabling co-existence among power line communications (PLC) technologies are described. In some embodiments, a method performed by a PLC device, such as a PLC gateway, may include detecting a communication from foreign PLC device on a PLC network in response to a foreign preamble received by the PLC device, terminating transmissions to the PLC network for a network-specific co-existence Extended Interframe Space (cEIFS) time period in response to the foreign preamble, and resuming transmissions to the PLC network after expiration of the network-specific time period. | 11-07-2013 |
20130301649 | CSMA/CA for Channels in Power Line Communication (PLC) Networks - Embodiments of methods and systems for Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) with a random backoff time on a Power Line Communication (PLC) network are disclosed. The CSMA/CA method is independent of the algorithm used to update a contention window, so any contention window algorithm is supported. The PLC node runs an energy detection process first and then uses preamble detection only after energy detection is positive, or the node may run both energy detection and preamble detection simultaneously. Upon detection of a possible transmission on a PLC line due to energy detection, the PLC node will freeze a backoff counter decrementing process and will then wait for preamble detection to complete. If no energy is detected on the line, or if no preamble is detected after energy is sensed on the line, then the node will transmit is allowed by the contention window value. | 11-14-2013 |
20130322554 | Long Preamble and Duty Cycle Based Coexistence Mechanism for Power Line Communication (PLC) Networks - Embodiments of methods and systems for supporting coexistence of multiple technologies in a Power Line Communication (PLC) network are disclosed. A long coexistence preamble sequence may be transmitted by a device that has been forced to back off the PLC channel multiple times. The long coexistence sequence provides a way for the device to request channel access from devices on the channel using other technology. The device may transmit a data packet after transmitting the long coexistence preamble sequence. A network duty cycle time may also be defined as a maximum allowed duration for nodes of the same network to access the channel. When the network duty cycle time occurs, all nodes will back off the channel for a duty cycle extended inter frame space before transmitting again. The long coexistence preamble sequence and the network duty cycle time may be used together. | 12-05-2013 |
20130343403 | Retransmission Mechanism for Segmented Frames in Power Line Communication (PLC) Networks - Embodiments of methods and systems for transmitting and receiving segmented frames in a Power Line Communication (PLC) network are disclosed. A transmitter sends a first segment using CSMA/CA based on the priority of frame. All the other segments are transmitted using the CFS slot. When an ACK is received, transmitter sends the next segment after CFS. When a NACK is received, the transmitter sends just the last segment after CFS. If no ACK/NACK is received, the transmitter sends the last segment using CSMA/CA. If a NO_EARLIER_SEGMENTS delimiter is received, the transmitter sends the frame starting from the first segment using CSMA/CA. A receiver may send the NO_EARLIER_SEGMENTS delimiter when no earlier segments are in a receive buffer for reassembly. If the receiver is expecting to continue the reassembly of another frame when a segment is received, the receiver may transmit a BUSY_REASSEMBLY delimiter. | 12-26-2013 |
20130343404 | Coexitstence primitives in power line communication networks - Systems and methods for setting a Network Allocation Vector (NAV) in a PLC node are disclosed. In a PLC standard, coexistence is achieved by having the nodes detect a common preamble and backing off by a Coexistence InterFrame Space (cEIFS) time period to help the node to avoid interfering with the other technologies. In one embodiment, a PHY primitive is sent from the PHY to the MAC know that there has been a preamble detection. A two-level indication may be used—one indication after receiving the preamble and other indication after decoding the entire frame. The MAC sets NAV to EIFS if a native preamble is detected. The MAC sets NAV to cEIFS if only a coexistence preamble is detected or if a non-native preamble is detected. | 12-26-2013 |
20140029583 | Systems and Methods for Time Optimization for Silencing Wireless Devices in Coexistence Networks - Embodiments provide systems and methods to optimize the time when to transmit a silencing frame, and hence, improve the overall network throughput and avoid access point transmission rate fall-back mechanism having an avalanche effect during coexistence of dissimilar wireless network technologies. A device comprises at least two dissimilar network technology subsystems, at least one subsystem of which is lower priority than at least another of the dissimilar subsystems. In some embodiments, a device is able to transmit a silencing frame during a transmission window within a lower priority technology network interval. In other embodiments, a device calculates a transmission window, the transmission window to occur within a lower priority technology network interval, and transmits a silencing frame during the transmission window. In further embodiments, a device is able to calculate a transmission window to occur during a lower priority technology network interval, and transmit a silencing frame during the calculated transmission window. | 01-30-2014 |
20140056369 | Control Traffic Overhead Reduction during Network Setup in PLC Networks - A power line communication device connected to a power line communication network that includes a transceiver to transmit messages to a plurality of nodes on the network and to receive messages from the plurality of nodes on the network, and a processor coupled to the transceiver to evaluate received messages and generate messages to transmit. The processor, upon receiving a promotion needed message from an additional power line communication (PLC) device joining the network, is to determine whether data communication has already been established with a base node of the network, determine whether the device is already seeking promotion to be a switch node or has already been promoted to the switch node, and determine a signal quality of the received promotion needed message from the additional PLC device joining the network. Based on those determinations, the processor is to adjust a frequency at which to transmit a promotion request based on a number of promotion requests received from the plurality of other nodes on the network and a number of promotion needed messages received. | 02-27-2014 |
20140079142 | ADVANCED SWITCH NODE SELECTION FOR POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - 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. | 03-20-2014 |
20140126655 | Compatible Communication Between Devices using Different Communication Protocols - In a method for communicating with a plurality of devices using different communication protocols, a signal is received at a transceiver device from a neighbor device via a physical layer of a communication media. At a first time the signal contains a header frame from a first device conforming to a first communication protocol and at another time the signal contains a header frame from a second device conforming to a second communication protocol. The transceiver determines which of the different communication protocols is being used by each of the plurality of devices. The transceiver may then process inbound payload data using the indentified protocol type. Data frames are transmitted to the first device using the first communication protocol and data frames are transmitted to the second device using the second communication protocol. | 05-08-2014 |
20140146808 | POWER EFFICIENT TUNNELED DIRECT LINK SETUP APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein operate to provide wireless communication between personal mobile communication (PMC) devices. An emulated wireless access point (AP) at a first PMC device (PMC1) establishes a first tunneled direct link setup (TDLS) session between a first station module (STA1) incorporated into the PMC1 and a second station module (STA2) incorporated into a second PMC device (PMC2). Following establishment of the TDLS session, the wireless AP is allowed to sleep; and most infrastructure management duties are handled by the STA1 during the session. PMC device battery charge may be conserved as a result. The emulated wireless AP may also establish a second TDLS link to a third station module (STA3) incorporated into a third PMC device (PMC3). The STA1 may then bridge data traffic flow between the STA2 and the STA3. Such bridging operation may enable communication between two PMC devices otherwise unable to decode data received from the other. | 05-29-2014 |
20140169485 | ASYMMETRIC CHANNELS IN POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS - Apparatus (and related methods) for a power line communication network include a processor configured to receive beacons over a communication interface. The processor determines a link quality indicator (LQI) for each received beacon and ignores the beacons for at most a predetermined maximum number of beacon receptions when each LQI is below a threshold. The processor responds to a received beacon if the LQI for such received beacon exceeds the threshold or if a predetermined maximum number of beacons have been received with LQIs below the threshold. | 06-19-2014 |
20140293984 | ENHANCING PACKET AGGREGATION PERFORMANCE IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - A wireless combination (combo) device is coupled to an antenna for communicating via a first wireless network over a first band. A packet aggregator is coupled to the first wireless transceiver configures a frame aggregated packet for at least a portion of activities on the first wireless network. The frame aggregated packet includes a plurality of data packets and a dummy packet or spoofing so that said frame aggregated packet is extended in time or indicates an extension sufficient to overlap a Tx time interval or Rx time interval for communications occurring over a second wireless network. The first wireless network and said second wireless network are overlapping networks. | 10-02-2014 |
20140301409 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AVOIDING HIDDEN NODE COLLISIONS IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Method and apparatus for avoiding hidden node collisions in a communication network. A network communication device includes a packet transmitter. The packet transmitter is configured to subdivide a packet to be transmitted via a communication network into a plurality of segments based on the packet exceeding a predetermined maximum size, and to sequentially transmit the segments via the communication network. The packet transmitter is also configured to construct an acknowledgement packet responsive to reception of each segment of a packet received via the communication network. The acknowledgement packet includes a field indicating whether an additional segment of the packet is to be transmitted via the communication network. The packet transmitter is further configured to transmit the acknowledgement packet via the communication network. | 10-09-2014 |
20140307658 | Efficient Fairness Allocation in Powerline CSMA/CA Protocols - Transmission over a communication channel using carrier sense multiple access collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) may be performed by determining for each frame if the communication channel is busy after a backoff time proportional to a randomly generated number within a contention window (CW). When the channel is not busy, a frame of data may be transmitted. When the channel is busy, the device may periodically determine if the communication channel is busy after subsequent backoff times. The value of CW is adjusted for each subsequent backoff time using a fairness protocol, in which the value of CW is increased until the value of CW reaches a maximum CW value; and then the value of CW is held until a fairness number of backoff repetitions reaches a fairness threshold; then the value of CW is reduced incrementally until the value of CW reaches a minimum CW value. | 10-16-2014 |
20150016393 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SILENCING WIRELESS DEVICES - Embodiments provide systems and methods to optimize the time when to receive transmissions from dissimilar wireless networks, and hence, improve the overall network throughput and avoid access point transmission rate fall-back mechanism having an avalanche effect during coexistence of dissimilar wireless network technologies. A receiver comprises at least two dissimilar network technology subsystems and is able to receive transmissions from dissimilar wireless network technology subsystems during a predetermined reception window. | 01-15-2015 |
20150063285 | Non-Beacon Network Communications Using Frequency Subbands - Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing non-beacon network communications using frequency subbands are described. In various implementations, these systems and methods may be applicable to Power Line Communications (PLC). For example, a method may include transmitting a beacon request message over a given one of a plurality of frequency subbands, receiving a plurality of beacons in response to having transmitted the beacon request message, each of the plurality of beacons received over a respective one of the plurality of frequency subbands, and calculating a downlink quality report based, at least in part, upon the received beacons. The method may also include transmitting the downlink quality report over each of the plurality of frequency subbands and receiving a subband allocation command in response to having transmitted the downlink quality report, the subband allocation command indicating a downlink subband assignment and an uplink subband assignment. | 03-05-2015 |
20150071077 | FLOW CONTROL FOR POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS - A method of powerline communications in a powerline communications (PLC) network including a first PLC device and at least a second PLC device. The first PLC device transmits a data frame to the second node over a PLC channel. The second PLC device has a data buffer for storing received information. The second PLC device runs a flow control algorithm which determines a current congestion condition or a projected congestion condition of the data buffer based on at least one congestion parameter. The current congestion condition and projected congestion condition include nearly congested and fully congested. When the current or projected congestion condition is either nearly congested or fully congested, the second PLC device transmits a BUSY including frame over the PLC channel to at least the first PLC device. The first PLC device defers transmitting of any frames to the second PLC device for a congestion clearing wait time. | 03-12-2015 |
20150085881 | DATA FRAME FOR PLC HAVING DESTINATION ADDRESS IN THE PHY HEADER - A physical layer (PHY) data frame for use in conjunction with processor in a node, processor coupled to a program memory for storing a sequence of operating instructions. The frame has a preamble, PHY header, a MAC header and a MAC payload. The PHY header includes a destination address field having a destination address therein. The destination address is used by the processor to determine match with the node address. | 03-26-2015 |
20150085883 | Hybrid Communication Networks - Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing hybrid communication networks are described. In various embodiments, these systems and methods may be applicable to power line communications (PLC). For example, one or more of the techniques disclosed herein may include methods to coordinate medium-to-low voltage (MV-LV) and low-to-low voltage (LV-LV) PLC networks when the MV-LV network operates in a frequency subband mode and the LV-LV network operates in wideband mode (i.e., hybrid communications). In some cases, MV routers and LV routers may have different profiles. For instance, MV-LV communications may be performed using MAC superframe structures, and first-level LV to lower-level LV communications may take place using a beacon mode. Lower layer LV nodes may communicate using non-beacon modes. Also, initial scanning procedures may encourage first-to-second-level LV device communications rather than MV-to-first-level LV connections. | 03-26-2015 |
20150098569 | Power Line Communication (PLC) Network Nodes Using Cipher Then Segment Security - Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for a cipher then segment approach in a Power Line Communication (PLC). A node or device generates frames to be transmitted to a destination node in the PLC network. A processor in the node is configured to generate a data payload comprising data to be sent to the destination node. The processor divides the data payload into two or more payload segments and encrypts the payload segments. The processor creates a frame for each of the encrypted payload segments, wherein each frame comprises a message integrity code. The processor creates a segment identifier for each frame using the message integrity code and an authentication key that is shared with the destination PLC node. The segment identifier is added to each frame. | 04-09-2015 |
20150106519 | SELECTIVE MULTIPLE-MEDIA ACCESS CONTROL - 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. | 04-16-2015 |
20150110130 | DYNAMIC MEDIUM SWITCHING FOR HYBRID NETWORKS - A method and apparatus for dynamic medium switching in a hybrid network. A method for packet transmission by a combo device includes maintaining a wireless network confidence rating value that is indicative of packet transfer reliability of a wireless network accessed by the device. A wired network confidence rating value that is indicative of packet transfer reliability of a wired network accessed by the device is also maintained. One of the wireless network and the wired network to be used for initial transmission of the data packet is selected based on which of the wireless confidence rating value and the wired confidence rating value is indicative of a higher likelihood of the packet being successfully transmitted. The packet is routed to be transmitted via the selected network. | 04-23-2015 |
20150110163 | PHY PAYLOAD OVER MULTIPLE TONE MASKS USING SINGLE TONE MASK PHY HEADER INFORMATION - A method of communications includes compiling a data frame for physical layer (PHY) by a first communications device at a first communications node on a network. The data frame includes a single tone PHY header portion and a data payload portion in a set of tones including at least one tone having a frequency different from a frequency of the single tone. The PHY header portion includes tone mask identification information identifying the set of tones. The first communications device transmits the data frame over the powerline to a second communications device at a second communications node on the powerline. The second communications device receives the data frame, and decodes the data payload using the tone mask identification information in the PHY header portion. | 04-23-2015 |
20150180539 | Enabling Co-Existence among Power Line Communication (PLC) Technologies - Systems and methods for enabling co-existence among power line communications (PLC) technologies are described. In some embodiments, a method performed by a PLC device, such as a PLC gateway, may include detecting a communication from foreign PLC device on a PLC network in response to a foreign preamble received by the PLC device, terminating transmissions to the PLC network for a network-specific co-existence Extended Interframe Space (cEIFS) time period in response to the foreign preamble, and resuming transmissions to the PLC network after expiration of the network-specific time period. | 06-25-2015 |
20150180680 | OVERLAPPING PRIORITY CONTENTION WINDOWS POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS - Embodiments of a power line communication (PLC) transmitter device for overlapping priority contention windows are presented. A processor is configured to perform a physical channel sense operation to detect an idle channel on a PLC network. A transmitter transmits a normal priority data packet on the channel during a high priority contention window. In another embodiment, a Normal Priority Contention Window (NPCW) is allowed to overlap with a High Priority Contention Window (HPCW). The minimum contention window for the normal priority frames (i.e., NPCW) is equal to or longer than the contention window for high priority frames (i.e., HPCW). By making the NPCW longer than the HPCW, the high priority frames will have a better chance than normal priority frames to get access to the channel on transmission reattempts. | 06-25-2015 |
20150229458 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND SERVICE EQUIPMENT ON A PILOT WIRE - Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) and Electric Vehicle (EV) are disclosed n. In an example embodiment, a modem is coupled to the pilot wire that couples the EVSE and the EV. The modem transmits both pulse width modulation (PWM) command signals and power line communication (PLC) signals to a remote device via the pilot wire. The modem interleaves the PWM and PLC signals on the pilot wire so that latency requirements for the PWM signals are maintained. The modem supports parallel protocol stacks in which PLC signals are processed in a first path and PWM signals are processed in a second path that bypasses the first path and provides the PWM signals directly to a MAC layer. The modem may create a modified frame for the PLC signals to maintain the latency requirements. | 08-13-2015 |
20150236753 | Coexistence Method by Requesting Access to the Channel - Systems and methods for implementing coexistence by requesting access to a channel in power line communications (PLC) are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a method performed by a PLC device, such as a PLC meter, may include detecting a communication from foreign PLC device on a PLC network in response to a foreign preamble received by the PLC device, determining whether a threshold back-off duration has been reached, and transmitting a channel access request in response to a determination that the threshold back-off duration has been reached. | 08-20-2015 |
20150244541 | Enhanced Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) Protocols - Systems and methods for enhanced carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) protocols are described. In various implementations, these systems and methods may be applicable to Power Line Communications (PLC). For example, a method may include attempting to access a communications channel to transmit a frame after a backoff time proportional to a randomly generated number within a contention window (CW), the CW having an initial value carried over from a previous transmission of a different frame. Additionally or alternatively, some of techniques described herein may facilitate the spreading of the time over which devices attempt to transmit packets, thereby reducing the probability of collisions using, for example, Additive Decrease Multiplicative Increase (ADMI) mechanisms. | 08-27-2015 |
20150334728 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TIME OPTIMIZATION FOR SILENCING WIRELESS DEVICES IN COEXISTENCE NETWORKS - Embodiments provide a communication device. A device comprises at least two dissimilar network technology subsystems, at least one subsystem of which is lower priority than at least another of the dissimilar subsystems. In some embodiments, a device is able to transmit a silencing frame during a transmission window within a lower priority technology network interval. A transceiver is able to calculate a transmission window to end by at least a duration of time to complete transmission of the silencing frame prior to the beginning of next immediate string of at least one higher priority network technology subsystem interval, and transmit a silencing frame during a lower priority technology network interval during the transmission window. | 11-19-2015 |
20150349844 | Long Preamble and Duty Cycle Based Coexistence Mechanism for Power Line Communication (PLC) Networks - Embodiments of methods and systems for supporting coexistence of multiple technologies in a Power Line Communication (PLC) network are disclosed. A long coexistence preamble sequence may be transmitted by a device that has been forced to back off the PLC channel multiple times. The long coexistence sequence provides a way for the device to request channel access from devices on the channel using other technology. The device may transmit a data packet after transmitting the long coexistence preamble sequence. A network duty cycle time may also be defined as a maximum allowed duration for nodes of the same network to access the channel. When the network duty cycle time occurs, all nodes will back off the channel for a duty cycle extended inter frame space before transmitting again. The long coexistence preamble sequence and the network duty cycle time may be used together. | 12-03-2015 |
20150351005 | JOINING PROCESS FOR POWERLINE COMMUNICATION (PLC) NETWORKS - Systems and methods for routing protocols for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method performed by a PLC device, such as a PLC meter, may include active discovering and identifying at least one bootstrapping agent and a personal area network (PAN) identifier for one or more networks that are operating within a personal operating space of the PLC device. The device selects a target bootstrapping agent to use for the join process with a target network. The target bootstrapping agent may be selected from a list of bootstrapping agents associated with the target PAN identifier. If the attempt to join the target network fails, then the device further determines if other bootstrapping agents are associated with the target PAN identifier. The device selects an alternate target bootstrapping agent from the other bootstrapping agents that are associated with the target PAN identifier and reattempts the join process. | 12-03-2015 |
20150355942 | ENERGY-EFFICIENT REAL-TIME TASK SCHEDULER - An energy efficient task scheduler for use with a processor that provides multiple reduced energy use modes. In one embodiment, a system for executing tasks includes a processor and a task scheduler. The processor provides a plurality of different reduced energy use modes. The task scheduler is executable by the processor to schedule execution a plurality of sleep tasks. Each of the sleep tasks corresponds to a different one of the reduced energy use modes. The task scheduler is executable by the processor to execute each of the sleep tasks, and as part of the execution of the sleep task to: place the processor in the reduced energy use mode corresponding to the sleep task, and exit the corresponding reduced energy use mode at suspension of the sleep task. | 12-10-2015 |
20150381355 | Power Line Communication (PLC) Network Nodes Using Cipher Then Segment Security - Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for a cipher then segment approach in a Power Line Communication (PLC). A node or device generates frames to be transmitted to a destination node in the PLC network. A processor in the node is configured to generate a data payload comprising data to be sent to the destination node. The processor divides the data payload into two or more payload segments and encrypts the payload segments. The processor creates a frame for each of the encrypted payload segments, wherein each frame comprises a message integrity code. The processor creates a segment identifier for each frame using the message integrity code and an authentication key that is shared with the destination PLC node. The segment identifier is added to each frame. | 12-31-2015 |
20160037449 | Slot Skipping Techniques for Reduced Power Consumption in Time Slotted Channel Hopping MAC Protocol - A device may be coupled to a time slot based communication system and receive a timing beacon packet that is broadcast in a time slot of the communication system at a periodic rate, in which the network uses a time slotted channel hopping protocol of sequential frames each having a plurality of time slots. The device may synchronize its time base to the timing beacon. The device may calculate a sleep time corresponding to a number of time slots until a next time slot that is scheduled for use by the device and then place the device in a sleep mode. The device may be awakened after the sleep time and operate during the next time slot. The device may repeat the process of calculating a sleep time, going into sleep mode, and waking for operation after the sleep time in order to reduce power consumption. | 02-04-2016 |
20160050045 | Network Throughput Using Multiple Reed-Solomon Blocks - Embodiments of methods and systems are presented for handling PHY frames with multiple Reed-Solomon encoded blocks in PLC networks. A PHY frame is receive from a PLC device, the PHY frame comprising two or more Reed-Solomon encoded blocks. A first Reed-Solomon encoded block comprises a media access control (MAC) header. The first Reed-Solomon encoded block is decoded. An error-detection check is performed on the first decoded Reed-Solomon encoded block. | 02-18-2016 |
20160080169 | EFFICIENT FAIRNESS ALLOCATION IN POWERLINE CSMA/CA PROTOCOLS - Transmission over a communication channel using carrier sense multiple access collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) may be performed by determining for each frame if the communication channel is busy after a backoff time proportional to a randomly generated number within a contention window (CW). When the channel is not busy, a frame of data may be transmitted. When the channel is busy, the device may periodically determine if the communication channel is busy after subsequent backoff times. The value of CW is adjusted for each subsequent backoff time using a fairness protocol, in which the value of CW is increased until the value of CW reaches a maximum CW value; and then the value of CW is held until a fairness number of backoff repetitions reaches a fairness threshold; then the value of CW is reduced incrementally until the value of CW reaches a minimum CW value. | 03-17-2016 |
20160087678 | ADAPTIVE SUB-BAND ALGORITHM FOR POINT-TO-POINT COMMUNICATION IN PLC NETWORKS - Embodiments of methods for adaptive sub-band point-to-point communication are presented. In one embodiment a method includes performing functions using a power line communication (PLC) transmitter device. The method may include receiving a first data packet having a first adaptive sub-band information set, the first sub-band information set comprising information from a PLC transmitter. The method may also include extracting the first sub-band information set from the first data packet. Additionally, the method may include analyzing the first sub-band information set to determine a transmitter sub-band hopping pattern. The method may further include setting a corresponding receiver sub-band hopping pattern synchronized to the sub-band hopping patter used by the PLC transmitter and hopping to a subsequent sub-band as defined by the receiver sub-band hopping pattern. | 03-24-2016 |
20160087936 | ADDRESS GENERATION FOR NETWORKS - A network includes at least two nodes that employ a routing protocol to communicate across a network. One of the nodes is a parent node and another of the nodes is a child node of the parent node. An address generator assigns a unique network address to the child node by appending an address value of a number of bits to a parent address of the parent node to create the unique network address for the child node. | 03-24-2016 |
20160088517 | Compression of Internet Protocol Version 6 Addresses in Wireless Sensor Networks - A method for managing Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) addresses in a wireless sensor network is provided that includes storing, on a wireless sensor device in the wireless sensor network, a prefix of an IPv6 address in association with a key, forming an address indicator for the IPv6 address, the address indicator consisting of the key and a node address of the IPv6 address, and storing the address indicator in at least one memory location on the wireless sensor device in lieu of the IPv6 address. | 03-24-2016 |