Abstract: A method is provided in one example and can include receiving a source data stream, generating a base layer sub-stream from the source data stream, and generating an enhancement layer sub-stream from the source data stream. The method further includes communicating the base layer sub-stream to a client device using a first communication protocol, and communicating the enhancement layer sub-stream to the client device using a second communication protocol. In a particular example, the one-to-many communication protocol is a multicast communication protocol and the second communication protocol is a unicast communication protocol. In another example, the base layer sub-stream is sent to the client device via a first network connection and the enhancement layer sub-stream is sent to the client device via a second network connection.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and can include receiving a source data stream, generating a base layer sub-stream from the source data stream, and generating an enhancement layer sub-stream from the source data stream. The method further includes communicating the base layer sub-stream to a client device using a first communication protocol, and communicating the enhancement layer sub-stream to the client device using a second communication protocol. In a particular example, the one-to-many communication protocol is a multicast communication protocol and the second communication protocol is a unicast communication protocol. In another example, the base layer sub-stream is sent to the client device via a first network connection and the enhancement layer sub-stream is sent to the client device via a second network connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems to perform collision detection (CD) in a communication network are disclosed. Methods and systems over multipacket reception (MPR)-capable physical layers are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for transmitting information in a network includes the steps of initiating transmission over a communication channel, monitoring a feedback channel, modifying transmission parameters for the transmission over the communication channel (where modifying includes stopping transmission and adjusting transmission parameters), if a feedback transmission is detected while monitoring the feedback channel, a duration of the feedback transmission being smaller than duration of the transmission over the communication channel, and determining whether transmission was successful, if transmission continues after modifying transmission parameters. Other embodiments of methods for transmitting and receiving information, as well as systems that implement the methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for communication using carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) with multipacket reception (MPR).