Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080273497 | Handover for DVB-H - A method of wireless handover in a broadcast network (FIGS. | 11-06-2008 |
20090040937 | COEXISTENCE OF DIFFERENT NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES - In at least some embodiments, a communication device includes a plurality of network technology subsystems, each subsystem associated with a different network technology. The communication device also includes a controller coupled to the plurality of network technology subsystems. The controller enables coexistence of the different network technologies in accordance with at least one monitored quality of service (QoS) parameter. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040945 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR UTILIZING GLOBAL TRAFFIC FLOW PARAMETERS FOR PACKET-BASED NETWORKS - Embodiments achieve simpler solutions to coexistence problems for wireless network subsystems in a single device. Some embodiments describe systems and methods for determining change in at least one network technology traffic flow, performing mapping functions between network technology-specific parameters of the changed traffic flow and global traffic flow parameters, and prioritizing the at least one changed network technology traffic flow based on the mapped global traffic flow parameters. Further embodiments alternatively describe a mapper for performing mapping between at least one network technology-specific parameter of a network technology subsystem traffic flow and at least one global traffic flow parameter. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040990 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AVOIDING AVALANCHE EFFECT IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - Systems and methods for avoiding access point transmission rate fall-back mechanism having an avalanche effect when acknowledgements are not received for packets sent during co-existence of WLAN and other wireless network technologies. A receiver comprises at least two dissimilar network technology subsystems. In some embodiments, a transmitter transmits a handshake to the receiver prior to transmission of at least one data packet and does not reduce a transmission rate of future transmissions to the receiver if the transmitter does not receive a reply to the handshake. In other embodiments, the receiver is able to send an indicator to a transmitter requesting a protection mechanism be employed prior to transmission by the transmitter of at least one data packet. In further embodiments, the receiver is able to negotiate with the transmitter for the transmitter to employ a protection mechanism prior to transmission of at least one data packet to the receiver. | 02-12-2009 |
20090147678 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRAFFIC FLOW BASED RATE ADAPTATION IN PACKET-BASED NETWORKS - Embodiments provide systems and methods for traffic flow based rate adaptation in packet-based networks. In some embodiments, a communications system comprises at least one receiver and a transmitter able to control transmission to the at least one receiver of a packet among a plurality of traffic flows, each traffic flow having its own transmission rate adaptation mechanism. In other embodiments, a communications method comprises determining, by a transmitter able to control transmission of a packet among a plurality of traffic flows each having its own transmission rate adaptation mechanism, a parameter value, and, depending upon the parameter value, adapting the transmission rate of at least one traffic flow. In further embodiments, a communications device comprises a transmitter able to control transmission of a packet among a plurality of traffic flows, each traffic flow having its own transmission rate adaptation mechanism. | 06-11-2009 |
20090163145 | 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 receiver comprises at least two dissimilar network technology subsystems, at least one subsystem of which is higher priority than at least another of the dissimilar subsystems. In some embodiments, a receiver is able to transmit a silencing frame during a predetermined transmission window within a lower priority technology network interval. In other embodiments, a receiver calculates a predetermined transmission window, the predetermined transmission window to occur within a lower priority technology network interval, and transmits a silencing frame during the predetermined transmission window. In further embodiments, a receiver 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. | 06-25-2009 |
20100034164 | MAC EXTENSIONS FOR SMART ANTENNA SUPPORT - Apparatus and methods implement aggregation frames and allocation frames. The aggregation frames include a plurality of MSDUs or fragments thereof aggregated or otherwise combined together. An aggregation frame makes more efficient use of the wireless communication resources. The allocation frame defines a plurality of time intervals. The allocation frame specifies a pair of stations that are permitted to communicate with each other during each time interval as well as the antenna configuration to be used for the communication. This permits stations to know ahead of time when they are to communicate, with which other stations and the antenna configuration that should be used. A buffered traffic field can also be added to the frames to specify how much data remains to be transmitted following the current frame. This enables network traffic to be scheduled more effectively. | 02-11-2010 |
20100040033 | REVERSE DIRECTION GRANT (RDG) FOR WIRELESS NETWORK TECHNOLOGIES SUBJECT TO COEXISTENCE INTERFERENCE - In accordance with at least some embodiments, a system includes an access point and a station in communication with the access point. The station has at least two network technology subsystems subject to coexistence interference. The station selectively uses reverse direction grant (RDG) for communications by network technology subsystems subject to coexistence interference. | 02-18-2010 |
20100067423 | POWER-SAVE (PS)-POLL SUBSTITUTION - In accordance with at least some embodiments, a system comprises an access point and a station in communication with the access point. The station has at least two network technology subsystems subject to coexistence interference. The station selectively implements Power Save (PS)-Poll substitution (PSPS) logic to handle communications between the station and the access point. | 03-18-2010 |
20100067424 | BOUNDED POWER-SAVE-POLLING (BPS) - In accordance with at least some embodiments, a system comprises an access point and a station in communication with the access point. The station has at least two network technology subsystems subject to coexistence interference. The station selectively implements bounded Power Save (PS)-Polling (BPS) logic to handle communications between the station and the access point. The BPS logic operates to confine PS-Poll transmissions starts to one of two separate windows during a medium grant duration of the station. | 03-18-2010 |
20100067516 | SYNCHRONIZED CHANNEL ACCESS IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - A system and method for arbitrating channel access in a wireless device including co-located network transceivers are disclosed herein. A wireless device includes a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. The first transceiver is configured for operation with a first wireless network. The second transceiver is configured for operation with a second wireless network. The wireless device further includes logic that determines which of the first and second transceivers is enabled to transmit at a given time. The logic causes the first transceiver to transmit a notification signal indicating a time period during which the second transceiver of the wireless device will perform a first wireless transaction, and during which, based on receiving the notification signal, a different wireless device performs a second wireless transaction via the second wireless network without transmitting a notification signal. | 03-18-2010 |
20100069112 | SCHEDULING TRANSMISSIONS IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - A system and method for scheduling channel access in a wireless device including co-located network transceivers are disclosed herein. A wireless device includes a first wireless transceiver, a second wireless transceiver, and an arbiter. 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 arbiter controls which one of the first and second transceivers is enabled to transmit at a given time. The arbiter computes a predicted a start time for a transmission via the second wireless transceiver and computes a transmission duration for a first packet pending transmission via the first transceiver. Based on the predicted start time and the computed duration, the arbiter transmits the first packet at a time when the first packet transmission does not overlap the transmission via the second wireless transceiver. | 03-18-2010 |
20100085946 | ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSIONS IN WIRELESS NETWORKS - A network includes an access point and a station. The station transmits to the access point a current clear-to-send packet at a current time during a current exchange. The transmission is based on success or failure of a previous exchange during which a previous clear-to-send packet was transmitted at a previous time. | 04-08-2010 |
20100093392 | PROTECTING UPLINK TRANSMISSIONS IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - A system and method for protecting a wireless device including co-located network transceivers from uplink starvation are disclosed herein. A wireless device includes a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver respectively configured for communication via a first wireless network and a second wireless network. The wireless device further includes logic that determines which of the first and second transceivers is enabled to transmit at a given time. The logic determines a duration of a pending transmission via the first transceiver, and determines a predicted start time of a predicted transmission via the second transceiver. Based on the duration and the predicted start time, the logic transmits a notification signal indicating that a receiving device should refrain from transmitting on the first network for a reserved time ending after the pending transmission starts. The pending transmission starts following completion of the predicted transmission. | 04-15-2010 |
20100214942 | ADAPTIVE PERIODIC POWER-SAVE (PS) POLLING - In accordance with at least some embodiments, a system includes an access point and a station in communication with the access point. The station selectively implements adaptive periodic Power-Save (APPS)-Polling logic for communications between the station and the access point. The APPS-Polling logic is configured to determine a timer value for periodic PS-Polling by monitoring a periodicity of arrival packets for at least a threshold amount of time. | 08-26-2010 |
20100216405 | System and method for interference reduction in self-optimizing networks - A method for interference management in a self optimizing network includes determining quality of service constraints for a call; mapping the quality of service constraints for the call to a target signal-to-interference noise ratio; and transmitting power control signals for the call based on the target signal-to-interference noise ratio. The utility function can be optimized for each class of calls over the network so as to maximize the total number of calls that can be handled. | 08-26-2010 |
20100238807 | REDUCING CHANNEL OVERHEAD IN A WIRELESS COEXISTENCE NETWORK - A system composed of a device configured to communicate, using a first wireless protocol, with a node. The system also comprises a processor coupled to the device and configured to determine whether the node operates in a coexistence mode. If the processor determines that the node operates in a coexistence mode then, as a result, the processor determines when the node operates in the first wireless protocol and communicates, by way of the device and without solicitation from the node, with the node when the node operates in the first wireless protocol. | 09-23-2010 |
20100246464 | POWER CONSERVATION THROUGH BI-DIRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MULTIPLE DEVICES - A system comprises radio circuitry, an access point (AP) feature, and a station (STA) feature. The AP feature causes the radio circuitry to transmit data to a hardware device during a beacon interval. The AP feature is not used to receive data from the hardware device during the beacon interval except to receive data request signals. The STA feature causes the radio circuitry to receive data from the hardware device during the beacon interval. The STA feature is not used to transmit data to the hardware device during the beacon interval except to transmit data request signals. The radio circuitry is in a de-powered state during the beacon interval when the radio circuitry does not transmit or receive data or data request signals. | 09-30-2010 |
20100268841 | USING HIGHER LAYER INFORMATION TO FACILITATE COEXISTENCE IN WIRELESS NETWORKS - A system composed of a node configured to transmit a first data stream to a first device using a first protocol and a second data stream to a second device using a second protocol. The system is also composed of a controller in communication with the node. The controller is configured to prioritize a first packet of the first data stream prior to transmission of the first packet. The prioritization is based on application layer information of the first packet. If the application layer information of the first packet indicates that the priority of the first packet is lower than the priority of a second packet of the second data stream, the controller causes the node to transmit the second packet. | 10-21-2010 |
20100329202 | CHANNEL UTILIZATION IMPROVEMENT IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - A wireless device comprises a first wireless transceiver configured for communication via a first wireless network, a second wireless transceiver configured for communication via a second wireless network; and a scheduler that controls which of the first and second transceivers is granted access to a wireless medium at a given time. When the first wireless transceiver has been granted access to the wireless medium by the scheduler and the first wireless transceiver receives a packet via the first wireless network, the scheduler temporarily grants the second wireless transceiver access to the wireless medium based on the packet indicating that first wireless transceiver is not to use the wireless medium for a period of time. | 12-30-2010 |
20110019750 | MAC EXTENSIONS FOR SMART ANTENNA SUPPORT - Apparatus and methods implement aggregation frames and allocation frames. The aggregation frames include a plurality of MSDUs or fragments thereof aggregated or otherwise combined together. An aggregation frame makes more efficient use of the wireless communication resources. The allocation frame defines a plurality of time intervals. The allocation frame specifies a pair of stations that are permitted to communicate with each other during each time interval as well as the antenna configuration to be used for the communication. This permits stations to know ahead of time when they are to communicate, with which other stations and the antenna configuration that should be used. A buffered traffic field can also be added to the frames to specify how much data remains to be transmitted following the current frame. This enables network traffic to be scheduled more effectively. | 01-27-2011 |
20110086660 | CONTROL OF COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS BASED ON PREDICTED TRANSMISSION ARRIVAL TIME - A system and method for optimizing medium utilization with coexisting wireless networks is described herein. In one embodiment, a wireless device includes a first wireless transceiver, a second wireless transceiver, and logic configured to determine which of the first and second wireless transceivers is enabled at a given time. The first wireless transceiver is configured for operation with a first wireless network. The second wireless transceiver is configured for operation with a second wireless network coexisting with the first wireless network. The logic is further configured to predict an arrival time of a transmission from a different device and to enable the second wireless transceiver based on the predicted arrival time. | 04-14-2011 |
20110103355 | PACKET GROUPING FOR A CO-EXISTING WIRELESS NETWORK ENVIRONMENT - In at least some embodiments, a communication device includes a host processor and a plurality of co-existing wireless technology transceivers coupled to the host processor. The plurality of co-existing wireless technology transceivers share a communication medium using time-multiplexing. A throughput for data transmissions by the plurality of co-existing wireless technology transceivers is based on an algorithm that determines a grouping option for data packets to be transmitted by one of the co-existing wireless technology transceivers, the grouping option providing a highest throughput for a predetermined baseband PHY rate without exceeding a predetermined maximum grouping delay. | 05-05-2011 |
20110182178 | Randomization Management For Carrier Sensing Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA-CA) - In at least some embodiments, a communication device includes a transceiver with Carrier Sensing Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA-CA) logic. The CSMA-CA logic provides dynamic randomization management for a contention window size. | 07-28-2011 |
20110185075 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS IN A HIERARCHICAL NETWORK - A system and method for reducing transmission collisions. In one embodiment, a transmitter for communicating of a smart grid power line network includes an arbiter. The arbiter is configured to select a transmission interval during which the transmitter can transmit. The interval is selected from a plurality of available transmission intervals reserved for contending transmissions, and selected based on a level of a hierarchical network at which the transmitter is located. The interval selected is different from any interval used by a different transmitter spaced two hierarchical levels away from the level of the hierarchical network at which the transmitter is located. | 07-28-2011 |
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 |
20110235600 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR USING RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO A WIRELESS NETWORK IN A COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORK - A wireless device includes a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. The first wireless transceiver is configured to communicate via a first wireless network, and includes a first scheduler configured to schedule communication via the first wireless network. The second wireless transceiver is configured to communicate via a second wireless network. The second wireless transceiver includes a second scheduler. The second scheduler is configured to identify a resource allocated to the second wireless transceiver for a transaction via the second wireless network, to identify a portion of the resource used by the second wireless transceiver for the transaction, and to transfer information defining the portion to the first transceiver. The first scheduler is also configured to schedule, based on the information transferred by the second scheduler, the first transceiver to communicate via the first wireless network using the resource allocated to the second wireless transceiver for the transaction. | 09-29-2011 |
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 |
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 |
20120039329 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING PARTIALLY RECEIVED PACKETS IN COEXISTING NETWORKS - A system and method for using partially received packets in coexisting networks. In one embodiment, a wireless receiver includes an interference detector and a packet validator. The interference detector is configured to determine that time multiplexing of a coexisting wireless network interferes with reception of a packet by the wireless receiver. The packet validator is configured to identify a type of the packet and useable data values of the packet when a partial packet is received due to the time multiplexing. The packet validator is configured to identify the type and useable data values of the packet based on a packet signature stored in the wireless receiver. | 02-16-2012 |
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 |
20120134395 | Power Line Communications (PLC) Across Different Voltage Domains Using Multiple Frequency Subbands - Systems and methods for implementing power line communications (PLC) across different voltage domains using multiple frequency subbands are described. From an end node's perspective (e.g., a PLC device), a method may include scanning a plurality of downlink subbands usable by a base node (e.g., a PLC router, etc.) to communicate with one or more PLC devices (e.g., other end nodes) from a medium voltage (MV) to a low voltage (LV) power line, and transmitting association request(s) to the base node that select and/or allow the base node to select one or more downlink subbands for use in subsequent communications. From the base node's perspective, the method may include selecting one or more of a plurality of uplink subbands for use in subsequent communications based on the received association request(s). In various implementations, the selection of downlink and/or uplink subbands may be based on signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values and/or congestion indicators. | 05-31-2012 |
20120147899 | Media Access Control (MAC) Layer for Power Line Communications (PLC) - Systems and methods for a media access control (MAC) layer for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving packets for transmission, each packet associated with a priority code, each priority code unrelated to its corresponding packet's time or order of arrival. The method may also include transmitting a first subset of packets having priority codes higher than priority codes in a second subset, and buffering the packets in the second subset for later transmission. Another method may include identifying a link quality indicator (LQI) associated neighboring service nodes, selecting one of the service nodes with highest LQI, and transmitting a promotion needed packet data unit to the selected service node. Yet another method may include communicating an Internet protocol (IP)-based message to a PLC device that excludes mesh header information, fragmentation header information, and/or the IP address of the PLC device. | 06-14-2012 |
20120155487 | Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) Protocols for Power Line Communications (PLC) - Systems and methods for carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) protocols for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include performing a virtual carrier sensing operation and, in response to the virtual carrier sensing operation indicating that a communication channel is idle, calculating a contention window. The method may also include performing a physical carrier sensing operation subsequent to the virtual carrier sensing operation, the physical carrier sensing operation based, at least in part, upon the contention window. In response to the physical carrier sensing operation indicating that the communication channel is idle, the method may then include transmitting data over the channel. In other embodiments, another method may include determining that a data transmission is a unicast transmission and that an acknowledgement message has not been received. The method may further include incrementing a backoff parameter and repeating one or more carrier sense operations. | 06-21-2012 |
20120163312 | Reducing the Number of Silencing Frames Transmitted in a Coexistence Network - Systems and methods for reducing the number of silencing frames transmitted in a coexistence network are described. In some embodiments, a method may include abstaining from transmitting silencing frames until detection of a predetermined event. Predetermined events include, for example, detection of a retransmitted packet, detection of a transmission or packet rate drop, and/or detection that an expected packet has been missed. In some cases, two or more predetermined events may be logically combined in any suitable manner or order, and may occur in series or in parallel with respect to each other. Once the predetermined event(s) have been detected, a silencing frame may then be transmitted. In some cases, subsequent silencing frames may be transmitted to facilitate return to a maximum attainable transmission rate. An investigation or observation period during which silencing frames are transmitted despite the absence of a predetermined event may enable the collection of network statistics. | 06-28-2012 |
20120182881 | Routing Protocols for Power Line Communications (PLC) - Systems and methods for routing protocols for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include transmitting a one-hop broadcast request message to a plurality of PLC devices in a mesh network and receiving a response from each of the devices. The method may also include selecting one of the devices as a bootstrapping agent, sending a join request to a bootstrapping server through the bootstrapping agent, and, in response to successfully joining the network, setting the bootstrapping agent as a next hop toward a bootstrapping server. In another embodiment, a method may include maintaining a routing table for a plurality of PLC devices in a mesh network, receiving a join request from a PLC device, accepting the request, and updating the table to add a record corresponding to the PLC device; the record setting the bootstrapping agent as a penultimate hop toward the PLC device. | 07-19-2012 |
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 |
20120201155 | Channel Selection in Power Line Communications - Systems and methods for channel selection in power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include defining a plurality of frames, each frame having a plurality of time slots. The method may also include assembling a pair of beacon and bandscan packets within each of time slot of each frame. The method may further include sequentially transmitting each of the frames over a corresponding one of a plurality of different frequency bands. In some implementations, each bandscan packet may include a slot index indicating a position of its time slot within its respective frame and/or a band index indicating one of the plurality of different frequency bands. In response to having transmitted the plurality of frames, the method may include receiving one or more packets indicating a selection of one or more of the plurality of different frequency bands to be used in subsequent communications. | 08-09-2012 |
20120236876 | MAC PROTOCOLS WITH SUBBANDING - Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing media access control (MAC) protocols with subbanding are described. In some embodiments, a method may include receiving a beacon packet during one of a plurality of beacon slots of a superframe, each beacon slot corresponding to one of a plurality of different downlink subbands. The method may also include identifying, based on the received beacon packet, contention access periods following the beacon slots, each of the contention access periods corresponding to one of a plurality of different uplink subbands. The method may further include transmitting an information packet over each of the plurality of uplink subbands during the contention access periods. Then, the method may include receiving, during a guaranteed time slot following the contention access periods, an indication of a selected one of the plurality of uplink subbands to be used in a subsequent communications. | 09-20-2012 |
20120257639 | Communications in Beacon-Enabled Networks - Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing communications 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 identifying one of a plurality of orthogonal superframes. The identified superframe may include beacon slots and contention access period (CAP) slots. The beacon slots may follow a sequence of two or more frequency subbands, and the CAP slots may follow the same sequence of two or more frequency subbands. Also, the sequence of two or more frequency subbands may be distinct from other sequences of two or more frequency subbands followed by other beacon slots and CAP slots within others of the plurality of available superframes. The method may then include communicating with another device using the identified superframe. | 10-11-2012 |
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 |
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 |
20120314661 | Adaptive Transmissions in Wireless Networks - A network includes an access point using a first protocol and a station using both the first protocol and a second protocol. The station uses the first protocol before a first threshold and a second protocol after the first threshold. A first duration between the second threshold and the first threshold is at least of sufficient length for the station to receive one data packet from the access point and send an acknowledgment. The station transmits to the access point a current clear-to-send packet at a current time during a current exchange based on success or failure of a previous exchange during which a previous clear-to-send packet was transmitted to the access point at a previous time. | 12-13-2012 |
20120314739 | Radio Duty Cycle Minimization Techniques for Transmission-Initiated Wireless Multi-Hop Networks - The duration of receiver on-times may be minimized by sensing and reacting to communication channel power levels at intervals. When no energy is detected on the communication channel, then the receiver may be turned off for a channel sampling interval. If energy is detected on the channel, then the receiver may remain on to determine if a received message is associated with the device. Receiver on-time may also be minimized by adjusting the timing of messages used for broadcast messages sent by routing or other protocols. Broadcast messages, such as network routing topology messages, may be controlled in two phases. In a first phase, the broadcast messages are sent with at a high rate to allow nodes to join the network rapidly. In a second phase, the broadcast messages are sent with at a lower rate to minimize interference with data and other messages in the network. | 12-13-2012 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
20130121427 | SCALED POWER LINE BASED NETWORK - A power line communication network includes a first power line communication sub-network, a second power line communication sub-network, and an isolation filter disposed between first and second power line communication sub-networks. The isolation filter is configured to pass electrical power signals between the first and second power line communication sub-networks, and to block passage of data communication signals from the first power line communication sub-network to the second power line communication sub-network. | 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 |
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 |
20130188670 | DYNAMIC IMPROVEMENT OF LINK SYMMETRY IN CO-LOCATED PLC AND RF NETWORKS - An electronic communication device comprises a first transceiver capable of a bi-directional communication session on a first communication medium; a second transceiver capable of a bi-directional communication session on a second communication medium; and a control logic coupled to the first transceiver and the second transceiver, wherein the control logic is configured to receive, from the first transceiver, a first signal, and cause, in response to the first signal, data transmitted by the first transceiver on the first communication medium as part of a communication session to be transmitted instead by the second transceiver on the second communication medium while the first transceiver continues to receive data as part of the communication session. | 07-25-2013 |
20130188673 | DYNAMIC MEDIUM SWITCH IN CO-LOCATED PLC AND RF NETWORKS - An electronic communication device comprises a first transceiver capable of a bi-directional communication session on a first communication medium; a second transceiver capable of a bi-directional communication session on a second communication medium; and a control logic coupled to the first transceiver and the second transceiver and capable of implementing a convergence layer, wherein the control logic is configured to receive, from the first transceiver, a first signal; and cause, in response to the first signal, data received and transmitted by the first transceiver on the first communication medium as part of a communication session to be received and transmitted instead by the second transceiver on the second communication medium. | 07-25-2013 |
20130198540 | Dynamic Power Management in Real Time Systems - Dynamically reducing power consumption by a processor in a computer system by determining a maximum number of times (token count) that the processor can incur a start-up delay after being placed into a low-power mode during a token period of time when executing a task for a token period of time. The processor may be placed into the low-power mode while executing the task in response to an idle indicator only if a current value of the token count assigned to the task is greater than zero. The current value of the token count is decremented each time the processor incurs a start-up delay in response to being awakened from the low-power mode. The current token count is reset to match the assigned token count at the end of each token period. Furthermore, wakeup may be anticipated to allow the processor to be awakened preemptively. | 08-01-2013 |
20130198542 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF TASK ALLOCATION IN A MULTIPROCESSING ENVIRONMENT HAVING POWER MANAGEMENT - Systems and Methods for task allocation in a multiprocessor environment employing power management techniques are described wherein tasks are allocated relative to the density given by the ratio of worst-case-execution time and deadline of a task and also the harmonicity of a task's period with respect to a task-set. Tasks are allocated to a given processor based on either minimum density or maximum harmonicity depending on which allocation results in a lower clock frequency. Assigning a task to the processor with lowest density results in balancing the density across processors while assigning task to the processor with maximum harmonicity attempts to maximize the utilization of the processor. | 08-01-2013 |
20130258917 | MAC EXTENSIONS FOR SMART ANTENNA SUPPORT - Apparatus and methods implement aggregation frames and allocation frames. The aggregation frames include a plurality of MSDUs or fragments thereof aggregated or otherwise combined together. An aggregation frame makes more efficient use of the wireless communication resources. The allocation frame defines a plurality of time intervals. The allocation frame specifies a pair of stations that are permitted to communicate with each other during each time interval as well as the antenna configuration to be used for the communication. This permits stations to know ahead of time when they are to communicate, with which other stations and the antenna configuration that should be used. A buffered traffic field can also be added to the frames to specify how much data remains to be transmitted following the current frame. This enables network traffic to be scheduled more effectively. | 10-03-2013 |
20130287044 | MAC EXTENSIONS FOR SMART ANTENNA SUPPORT - Apparatus and methods implement aggregation frames and allocation frames. The aggregation frames include a plurality of MSDUs or fragments thereof aggregated or otherwise combined together. An aggregation frame makes more efficient use of the wireless communication resources. The allocation frame defines a plurality of time intervals. The allocation frame specifies a pair of stations that are permitted to communicate with each other during each time interval as well as the antenna configuration to be used for the communication. This permits stations to know ahead of time when they are to communicate, with which other stations and the antenna configuration that should be used. A buffered traffic field can also be added to the frames to specify how much data remains to be transmitted following the current frame. This enables network traffic to be scheduled more effectively. | 10-31-2013 |
20140016625 | SYNCHRONIZED CHANNEL ACCESS IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - A system and method for arbitrating channel access in a wireless device including co-located network transceivers are disclosed herein. A wireless device includes a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. The first transceiver is configured for operation with a first wireless network. The second transceiver is configured for operation with a second wireless network. The wireless device further includes logic that determines which of the first and second transceivers is enabled to transmit at a given time. The logic causes the first transceiver to transmit a notification signal indicating a time period during which the second transceiver of the wireless device will perform a first wireless transaction, and during which, based on receiving the notification signal, a different wireless device performs a second wireless transaction via the second wireless network without transmitting a notification signal. | 01-16-2014 |
20140023058 | Device for Operating Using Multiple Protocols in Wireless Networks - A network includes an access point using a first protocol and a station using both the first protocol and a second protocol. The station uses the first protocol before a first threshold and a second protocol after the first threshold. A first duration between the second threshold and the first threshold is at least of sufficient length for the station to receive one data packet from the access point and send an acknowledgment. The station transmits to the access point a current clear-to-send packet at a current time during a current exchange based on success or failure of a previous exchange during which a previous clear-to-send packet was transmitted to the access point at a previous time. | 01-23-2014 |
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 |
20140133404 | MAC EXTENSIONS FOR SMART ANTENNA SUPPORT - Apparatus and methods implement aggregation frames and allocation frames. The aggregation frames include a plurality of MSDUs or fragments thereof aggregated or otherwise combined together. An aggregation frame makes more efficient use of the wireless communication resources. The allocation frame defines a plurality of time intervals. The allocation frame specifies a pair of stations that are permitted to communicate with each other during each time interval as well as the antenna configuration to be used for the communication. This permits stations to know ahead of time when they are to communicate, with which other stations and the antenna configuration that should be used. A buffered traffic field can also be added to the frames to specify how much data remains to be transmitted following the current frame. This enables network traffic to be scheduled more effectively. | 05-15-2014 |
20140233586 | CARRIER SENSE MULTIPLE ACCESS (CSMA) PROTOCOLS FOR POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS (PLC) - Systems and methods for carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) protocols for power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include performing a virtual carrier sensing operation and, in response to the virtual carrier sensing operation indicating that a communication channel is idle, calculating a contention window. The method may also include performing a physical carrier sensing operation subsequent to the virtual carrier sensing operation, the physical carrier sensing operation based, at least in part, upon the contention window. In response to the physical carrier sensing operation indicating that the communication channel is idle, the method may then include transmitting data over the channel. In other embodiments, another method may include determining that a data transmission is a unicast transmission and that an acknowledgement message has not been received. The method may further include incrementing a backoff parameter and repeating one or more carrier sense operations. | 08-21-2014 |
20140355474 | Channel Selection in Power Line Communications - A power line communication (PLC) device comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory is configured to store program instructions executable by the processor to cause the PLC device perform operations. One or more time slots are sequentially scan in each of a plurality of frequency bands. A packet transmitted by a second PLC device to the PLC device over one of the plurality of frequency bands is detected. Additional packets received from the second PLC device across the plurality of frequency bands based, at least in part, upon the detected packet are synchronized. The additional packets are organized in a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames having been transmitted by the second PLC device to the PLC device over a respective one of the plurality of frequency bands. Each frame has a plurality of time slots, and each time slot has a pair of beacon and bandscan packets, Each bandscan packet includes information indicating a frequency band distinct from any of the plurality of different frequency bands to be used by the second PLC device to communicate with the first PLC device in a direction from the second PLC device to the first PLC device. | 12-04-2014 |
20140355502 | NETWORK POWER OPTIMIZATION VIA WHITE LISTS - A device and method for controlling radio power in a wireless sensor network. A wireless sensor device includes a wireless transceiver, a white list generator, and power control logic. The wireless transceiver is configured to transmit and receive via a wireless sensor network. The white list generator configured to identify wireless sensor nodes that communicate directly with the wireless sensor device via the wireless sensor network, to identify time slots assigned for communication between the wireless sensor device and each of the identified wireless sensor nodes, and to create and maintain a list of the identified wireless sensor nodes and corresponding time slots. The power control logic is configured to power the transceiver for reception of transmissions from each identified wireless sensor node based on the identified time slots corresponding to the identified wireless sensor node provided in the list. | 12-04-2014 |
20150030010 | SYNCHRONIZED CHANNEL ACCESS IN COEXISTING WIRELESS NETWORKS - A system and method for arbitrating channel access in a wireless device including co-located network transceivers are disclosed herein. A wireless device includes a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver. The first transceiver is configured for operation with a first wireless network. The second transceiver is configured for operation with a second wireless network. The wireless device further includes logic that determines which of the first and second transceivers is enabled to transmit at a given time. The logic causes the first transceiver to transmit a notification signal indicating a time period during which the second transceiver of the wireless device will perform a first wireless transaction, and during which, based on receiving the notification signal, a different wireless device performs a second wireless transaction via the second wireless network without transmitting a notification signal. | 01-29-2015 |
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 |