Abstract: A network device may be configured for communication over multiple communication networks. In one example, a method for using a network device to communicate over multiple networks is disclosed. The method includes receiving a packet from a combined communication interface and determining that the packet is formatted according to a first communication protocol. In response to determining that the packet is formatted according to the first communication protocol, the method includes enabling a first component in a first digital signal processor (DSP) block of the network device to process the packet according to the first communication protocol, and disabling a second component of the first DSP block, wherein the second component is configured to process the packet according to a second communication protocol.

Abstract: A network device may be configured for communication over multiple communication networks. In one example, a method for scheduling a network device for communication in communication networks is disclosed. The method includes determining, based at least in part on a first schedule, a first collision interval indicating when the network device is available for communication over the communication networks that include a first communication network and a second communication network. The method includes determining communication behavior of the network device for communicating over the first communication network and the second communication network during the first collision interval.

Abstract: A network device may be configured for communication over multiple communication networks. In one example, a method for using a network device to communicate over multiple networks is disclosed. The method includes receiving a packet from a combined communication interface and determining that the packet is formatted according to a first communication protocol. In response to determining that the packet is formatted according to the first communication protocol, the method includes enabling a first component in a first digital signal processor (DSP) block of the network device to process the packet according to the first communication protocol, and disabling a second component of the first DSP block, wherein the second component is configured to process the packet according to a second communication protocol.

Abstract: This disclosure provides several mechanisms for adapting transmit power spectral density (PSD). A communications device may adapt the power spectrum utilized at the transmitter based, at least in part, on the channel conditions or PSD constraints associated with the communications medium between the transmitter and a receiver device. Additionally, the transmit PSD may be adapted based, at least in part, on a total power capability associated with a transmitter. Power is allocated to improve throughput and utilization of the communications channel. A transmission profile may be selected based, at least in part, on the notch depth. The transmission profile may be associated with symbol timing parameters. The communications device may maintain a plurality of selectable pulse shapes that are optimized for different notch depths.

Abstract: A network device may include a plug that couples with a socket to couple the network device to a PLC network. A position of the plug may be interchanged when the plug is coupled with the socket. In one example, the network device may determine a coupling orientation of the plug that indicates the position of the plug with respect to the socket. The plug includes a first plug terminal, a second plug terminal, a first ground plug terminal, and a second ground plug terminal. The network device may select a signal polarity for the plug based, at least in part, on the coupling orientation. The signal polarity indicates over which of the plug terminals data is to be transmitted for communication over the PLC network.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for communicating information via a communication channel from a first device to a second device. An apparatus may comprise an I/O module, and a processor coupled to the I/O module. The processor is configured to: determine a weak carrier associated with the communication channel; determine a strong carrier for pooling with the weak carrier and associated with the communication channel; determine information being transmitted on the strong carrier; and transmit the information on the weak carrier.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses for receiving preamble information via a channel between a first device and a second device. An apparatus is configured to scan a band of multiple carriers associated with the channel, determine a first carrier associated with the channel from the band of multiple carriers, wherein a first channel quality metric associated with the first carrier is greater than a threshold channel quality metric, receive, on the first carrier, the preamble information from the first device, determine a second carrier associated with the channel from the band of multiple carriers, wherein a second channel quality metric associated with the second carrier is greater than the threshold channel quality metric, receive, on the second carrier, the preamble information from the first device, and determine, based on receipt of the preamble information from the first device, a start of a data packet transmission from the first device.

Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses, methods, and computer readable media for communicating an acknowledgment for a data payload on a network. An exemplary apparatus comprises an I/O module, and a processor coupled to the I/O module. The processor is configured to: determine a first channel for communicating the data payload, determine a second channel for communicating the acknowledgment, wherein the second channel is different from the first channel, communicate the data payload on the first channel, and communicate the acknowledgment on the second channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for minimizing mutual interference between networks that implement different protocols. In one embodiment, a first network device of a first network may exchange coexistence information with a second network device of a second network to determine whether to share resources or reduce transmit power based, at least in part, on the interference detected at the first network device from a transmission of the second network device. In one embodiment, both the first and the second network devices may independently and iteratively reduce their respective transmit power to minimize interference between the interfering networks. The first network device may reduce its transmit power based on an interference of the second network device and vice versa. In another embodiment, the network device with a lower priority may minimize its transmit power to reduce interference with the network device with a higher priority.

Abstract: A dual channel transmitter and a dual channel receiver are disclosed. The dual channel transmitter may determine to transmit an information signal to a network device and the dual channel receiver may determine to receive an information signal at the network device on either or both a wireless channel and a wireline channel. A guard interval controller may select a guard interval based at least in part on a determination of whether the information signal is to be transmitted or received on either or both the wireless channel and the wireline channel.

Abstract: A first device and a second device may coordinate to determine a power level or frequency in a first frequency band that is associated with causing intermodulation (IM) interference at a second frequency band (e.g., a protected frequency band). An IM interference detection test may include at least a first test signal transmitted from the first device to the second device via a communications medium. The second device may detect for the presence of IM interference associated with the first test signal. A series of test signals may be used to identify power levels and/or frequencies that cause IM interference in the second frequency band. A transmitting device may improve performance by increasing power for particular frequencies up to a power level that maintains IM interference below a threshold level.

Abstract: Powerline communication (PLC) networks allow devices within a home, automobile, or other systems to communicate over existing wired powerline infrastructure. Active PLC networks can affect devices sharing the powerline infrastructure as well as wireless devices through radiated noise emissions. Provided in the present disclosure are exemplary techniques for reducing noise emissions and promoting coexistence of multiple PLC systems and/or non-PLC (e.g., wireless) systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for minimizing mutual interference between networks that implement different protocols. In one embodiment, a first network device of a first network may exchange coexistence information with a second network device of a second network to determine whether to share resources or reduce transmit power based, at least in part, on the interference detected at the first network device from a transmission of the second network device. In one embodiment, both the first and the second network devices may independently and iteratively reduce their respective transmit power to minimize interference between the interfering networks. The first network device may reduce its transmit power based on an interference of the second network device and vice versa. In another embodiment, the network device with a lower priority may minimize its transmit power to reduce interference with the network device with a higher priority.

Abstract: A powerline communication (PLC) network analyzer can join a PLC network by authenticating and associating with a central coordinator of the PLC network. The network analyzer can receive an encryption key from the central coordinator and dissociate from the PLC network. The network analyzer can capture and decrypt network traffic from the PLC network while remaining dissociated. The network analyzer can also create one or more virtual stations for the PLC network. The virtual stations can join the PLC network through the central coordinator and generate network traffic for the PLC network.

Abstract: Powerline communication (PLC) networks allow devices within a home, automobile, or other systems to communicate over existing wired powerline infrastructure. Active PLC networks can affect devices sharing the powerline infrastructure as well as wireless devices through radiated noise emissions. Provided in the present disclosure are exemplary techniques for reducing noise emissions and promoting coexistence of multiple PLC systems and/or non-PLC (e.g., wireless) systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for minimizing mutual interference between networks that implement different protocols. In one embodiment, a first network device of a first network may exchange coexistence information with a second network device of a second network to determine whether to share resources or reduce transmit power based, at least in part, on the interference detected at the first network device from a transmission of the second network device. In one embodiment, both the first and the second network devices may independently and iteratively reduce their respective transmit power to minimize interference between the interfering networks. The first network device may reduce its transmit power based on an interference of the second network device and vice versa. In another embodiment, the network device with a lower priority may minimize its transmit power to reduce interference with the network device with a higher priority.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for minimizing mutual interference between networks that implement different protocols. In one embodiment, a first network device of a first network may exchange coexistence information with a second network device of a second network to determine whether to share resources or reduce transmit power based, at least in part, on the interference detected at the first network device from a transmission of the second network device. In one embodiment, both the first and the second network devices may independently and iteratively reduce their respective transmit power to minimize interference between the interfering networks. The first network device may reduce its transmit power based on an interference of the second network device and vice versa. In another embodiment, the network device with a lower priority may minimize its transmit power to reduce interference with the network device with a higher priority.

Abstract: Testing procedures and associated messaging can be performed via powerline communication (PLC) medium. A first device can test a second device using management messages via the PLC medium. For example, the first device may transmit a test setup request message including at least one test parameter to the second device via the PLC medium. The first device may conduct a test of the second device in accordance with the at least one test parameter. The first device may determine a first performance metric associated with the test. The first performance metric can describe at least one of a PLC interface of the second device and the PLC medium between the first device and the second device. Test results can be translated to a common format for comparison to traditional tests which may be based on Ethernet performance metrics.

Abstract: A first device and a second device may coordinate to determine a power level or frequency in a first frequency band that is associated with causing intermodulation (IM) interference at a second frequency band (e.g., a protected frequency band). An IM interference detection test may include at least a first test signal transmitted from the first device to the second device via a communications medium. The second device may detect for the presence of IM interference associated with the first test signal. A series of test signals may be used to identify power levels and/or frequencies that cause IM interference in the second frequency band. A transmitting device may improve performance by increasing power for particular frequencies up to a power level that maintains IM interference below a threshold level.

Abstract: A powerline communication (PLC) network analyzer can join a PLC network by authenticating and associating with a central coordinator of the PLC network. The network analyzer can receive an encryption key from the central coordinator and dissociate from the PLC network. The network analyzer can capture and decrypt network traffic from the PLC network while remaining dissociated. The network analyzer can also create one or more virtual stations for the PLC network. The virtual stations can join the PLC network through the central coordinator and generate network traffic for the PLC network.