Abstract: A network functions virtualization (NFV) network can be configured to operate according to NFV protocols that decouple software functionality from specific hardware elements. A referent system can be provided that identifies a precise physical location of devices associated with the NFV network relative to other equipment or devices associated with the NFV network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a sensor arrangement (2) in a motor vehicle (1) on the basis of a DSI protocol in a Power Function Class mode, wherein the sensor arrangement (2) has a central unit (3) and a multiplicity of sensor units (S1, S2, . . . , SN), the central unit and the sensor units are connected to one another in series by means of a bus cable (4), the sensor units each have a test resistor (RS1, RS2, . . . , RN) connected in series with the bus cable, an electrical test load (L1, L2, . . . , LN) that can be connected to the bus cable, and an address counter (A1, A2, . . .

Abstract: A method and a device used for remote control by optical fiber signals and power over Ethernet includes a power sourcing equipment (PSE) outputting a direct current (DC) via at least one network cable to at least one powered device (PD). When the PSE receives a second restarting signal from a signal controller, the PSE stops supplying power to the at least one PD. An optoelectric signal converter converts an optical signal from an Ethernet Switch to a digital signal for the signal controller. When the optical signal is determined by the signal controller to be interrupted after a first time duration passes, the signal controller outputs the second restarting signal to the PSE for restarting. After restarting, the PSE re-powers the at least one PD. The at least one PD is restarted remotely without requiring working personnel at the location of the at least one PD, improving restarting efficiency.

Abstract: A data interruption device (1) is described, between a plurality of control units (2) communicating through at least one communication protocol (6), designed to produce an electromagnetic interference inhibiting a data communication between the plurality of control units (2); moreover, the device (1) is equipped with at least one transformer (3) designed to transfer at least one signal on at least one transmission means (5) of the communication protocol (6), inducing such electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A hardware serial adapter that can be connected to a serial port of a physical computing device and is associated with network credentials that include a unique hardware identifier and other security information. Upon receipt of data (or other initiation command), the hardware serial adapter transmits a registration request with the network credentials to a distributed network service. If the network credentials are valid, the network service provides communication channel configuration information and session credentials to establish a secure communication for the transmission of data from the hardware serial adapter to a virtual machine instance. The distributed network service can control and manage data transmissions and the communication channel.

Abstract: A computing device includes a power circuit to provide up to a maximum amount of power. The computing device includes internal hardware having an actual current usage power, and ports that are each connectable to a peripheral device having an actual current port usage power. The computing device includes power manager hardware. Responsive to an overpower condition at the power circuit, the computing device is to disconnect a selected port from the power circuit.

Abstract: An example system can determine a power consumption of each of a first and a second powered device ports, determine an output voltage demand of each of the first and the second powered device ports based on the determined power consumptions, and based on the output voltage demand, adjust an output voltage to each of the first and the second powered device ports via the power controller.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an Ethernet port including high-side transformers and low-side transformers. High-side current paths supply high-side currents form a high voltage rail to high-side center taps of the high-side transformers. Low-side current paths supply or do not supply low-side currents from a low voltage rail to low-side center taps of the low-side transformers, and convert the low-side currents to sense voltages. A controller configures the low-side current paths to either supply or not supply the low-side currents to the low-side center taps when none of the sense voltages exceed a voltage threshold representative of an overcurrent threshold or when at least one of the sense voltages exceeds the voltage threshold, respectively. A current monitor injects additional current into the low-side current paths only when at least one of the high-side currents exceeds the overcurrent threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of estimating an electrical length of a line, which is the signal loss measured at a predetermined frequency such as 1 MHz, compensated for impairments on the line. Firstly, the H log(f) data representing the attenuation plotted against frequency is gathered for the line. Secondly, data transformation is performed on the H log(f) data, such as by dividing by the square root of frequency. This compensates for changes in the loss as a function of frequency, allowing values of the loss from a broader range of frequencies to be used. Thirdly, data spike removal is performed on the transformed data, removing spikes that can arise from a number of factors such as excessive noise. The resulting data is then used to estimate a value for compensated k10.

Abstract: A servo rotary scanning system of three-dimensional holographic imaging may include a servomotor (20) having a first angle sensor (21), a second angle sensor (30), a control component (40), a servo driver (50) and a rotary frame (10), the servo rotary scanning system of three-dimensional holographic imaging is a full-closed loop servo control system, the second angle sensor (30) detects an actual rotating angle of the rotary frame (10) and feeds back a frame feedback signal to the control component (40), an instruction signal in the control component (40) is compared with the frame feedback signal to generate a following error, the first angle sensor (21) detects an output rotating angle of the servomotor (20) and feeds back a motor feedback signal to the servo driver (50), and the servo driver (50) controls the servomotor (20) to rotate according to the following error and the motor feedback signal.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for providing electrical charge to residents of a controlled-environment facility. In an embodiment, a charging station may be provided in an area accessible to an inmate to allow charging of in an inmate smart device, such as a phone or tablet. In an embodiment, a portable charger may be provided to an inmate for charging a smart device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power sourcing equipment (PSE) includes: processing circuitry, a multiplicity of power over Ethernet (PoE) enabled ports, a PSE module to be executed by the processing circuitry and operative to: receive requests for power from at least two devices via one PoE enabled port from among the multiplicity of PoE enabled ports, allocate power for the at least two devices according to the requests for power, and provide the power to the at least two devices via the one PoE enabled port.

Abstract: A smart belt system worn by a person comprising an elongated belt configured for removably coupling a plurality of devices, a GPS component coupled to the belt configured to track the geo-location and movement of the belt, a microprocessor coupled to the belt, logic instructions executing by the microprocessor configured to monitor and regulate the activities of the plurality of devices and geo-location and movement data generated by the GPS component, a memory component configured for storing the logic instructions and accessible by the microprocessor, a wireless data communications system coupled to the belt configured to wirelessly communicate with an external data communications system and the microprocessor, a power and data bus disposed within the belt and communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of devices, GPS component, microprocessor, memory, wireless data communications systems, and data storage component; and a data storage component coupled to the belt and accessible by the microp

Abstract: An on line free setting method for setting an operating parameter of a lighting device is disclosed. The method involves using a user interface APP comprising at least one free setting algorithm preloaded in a mobile device to transform a user's setting decision into an operating variable of an operating parameter of the lighting device, wherein the user interface APP is operable on a touch screen panel of the mobile device; wherein the free setting algorithm is a capacity scale simulation process implemented by operating a visual configuration of a free setting operator interacting with a capacity scale simulator and an indicator of the capacity operating rate to facilitate making the user's setting decision, wherein the operating parameter is used for controlling various functional performances of the lighting device including light intensity, light color temperature, delay time and detection sensitivity.

Abstract: In a PoDL system, a PHY has its I/O terminals coupled to a wire pair via a galvanic isolation transformer and a CMC. Thus, DC power and common mode noise are blocked from the PHY inputs. One end of the secondary winding of the transformer is directly coupled to one winding of the CMC. A DC power supply has its positive voltage terminal directly coupled to the other end of the secondary winding and has its other output terminal (e.g., ground) directly coupled to the other winding of the CMC. An AC-coupling capacitor is coupled between the two outputs of the power supply. Differential signals are applied across the secondary winding to couple the differential signals to the PHY, while the secondary winding conducts the DC voltage to one of the wires (via the CMC), and the ground is coupled to the other one of the wires (via the CMC).

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for providing electrical charge to residents of a controlled-environment facility. In an embodiment, a charging station may be provided in an area accessible to an inmate to allow charging of in an inmate smart device, such as a phone or tablet. In an embodiment, a portable charger may be provided to an inmate for charging a smart device.

Abstract: A Power over Ethernet, PoE, connector device (100) comprises a first connector (112) for, in use, connecting a first set comprising at least one power wire pair (110A, 110D) of a PoE cable (102) to a first powered device (116). The PoE connector device further comprises a second connector (114) for, in use, connecting a second set comprising at least one other power wire pair (110B, 110C) of the PoE cable to at least one further powered device (118). Embodiments also provide a display device and a computing system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining an input voltage level of an input voltage received by a connection cable. A monitoring component may determine whether the input voltage level matches one of a plurality of voltage levels. The connection cable may include an indicator component that may indicate which of the plurality of voltage levels matches the input voltage level.

Abstract: The invention relates a system for providing information about installation quality of load elements (30). Performance of power distribution systems, such as Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) systems, is depending on the overall system installation performance like quality of the connections (10) between power control devices (20) (e.g. PoE switches) and the powered load elements (30) (e.g. luminaires), Cat5/6 cable quality, cable type, length of the cables, aging of the connections, etc. The proposed system is able to provide feedback and to judge system installation performance at t=0 and over time.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a computer apparatus for displaying the topology of a timely organized ad hoc network, the apparatus including a processor, a memory, a computer-readable medium, an input device coupled to the processor, a radio frequency transceiver coupled to the processor; a communications interface coupled to the memory, a display coupled to the processor, and software copied from the computer-readable medium into the memory by the processor that, when executed, causes the processor to obtain a diagram of the network location from the input device or computer readable medium, obtain the identities of the devices comprising the network from the input device or computer readable medium, determine the communication links between the network devices, and graphically represent on the display the devices and the connection links on the diagram.

Abstract: A first network node of a cellular system is configured for communication with a second network node over a twisted pair wire. The first network node includes a receiver for receiving, over the twisted pair wire, an intermediate frequency signal from the second network node, which intermediate frequency signal has been converted from a high frequency signal having a frequency higher than the frequency of the intermediate frequency signal by the second network node, and a down-converter for converting the intermediate frequency signal to a low frequency signal having a frequency lower than the frequency of the intermediate frequency signal. The first network node also includes an up-converter for converting a received low frequency signal to an intermediate frequency signal having a frequency higher than the frequency of the low frequency signal.

Abstract: A distributed antenna and backhaul system provide network connectivity for a small cell deployment. Rather than building new structures, and installing additional fiber and cable, embodiments described herein disclose using high-bandwidth, millimeter-wave communications and existing power line infrastructure. Above ground backhaul connections via power lines and line-of-sight millimeter-wave band signals as well as underground backhaul connections via buried electrical conduits can provide connectivity to the distributed base stations. An overhead millimeter-wave system can also be used to provide backhaul connectivity. Modules can be placed onto existing infrastructure, such as streetlights and utility poles, and the modules can contain base stations and antennas to transmit the millimeter-waves to and from other modules.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a housing, a wireless receiver carried by the housing and configured to receive communication signals over a wireless frequency range, a wireline transmitter carried by the housing and configured to transmit communication signals overlapping in frequency with the wireless frequency range, and a controller carried by the housing and coupled with the wireless receiver and the wireline transmitter. The controller may be configured to determine when the wireless receiver is to begin receiving and, based thereon, switch the wireline transmitter to a suspended communication mode during which transmission is disabled. The controller may also be configured to determine when the wireless receiver has completed receiving and, based thereon, switch the wireline transmitter to a normal communication mode in which transmission is enabled.

Abstract: A system for delivering power over a network of devices connected through a serial link includes a first and second differential pairs of wires. Each differential pair of wires is double AC coupled by a HPF on one side and by another HPF on an opposite side. An LPF connects a portion of each differential pair of wires between the HPFs to a voltage source, and another LPF connects that portion of each differential pair to a load. The system further includes a third and fourth differential pairs of wires. All four differential pairs of wires are located within a single cable, such as a CAT6 cable. The first, second and third differential pair of wires are used for video links, and the fourth differential pair of wires are used for the bi-directional hybrid link. A power delivery circuit in each device includes a voltage source, a power relay switch, a signature resistor for detection, and a load detector.

Abstract: A signal line power receiving circuit includes a signal processing unit, a power unit, a signal interface, a first isolation unit and a first filter unit. The signal interface transmits and receives data signals and receives power signals all via a first signal line. The first isolation unit isolates the power signals in the first signal line. The first filter unit filters the data signals in the first signal line and supplies the power signals to the power unit. A signal line power supply circuit and a related signal line power supply system are also provided.

Abstract: A power line communication method for realizing data communication between at least one first or sending power line communication partner device and at least one second or receiving power line communication partner device. The method checks transmission conditions of a plurality of possible communication channels, thereby generating transmission condition data descriptive for the communication conditions of the respective possible communication channels. Additionally, communication conditions of the plurality of possible communication channels are selected as actual communication conditions based on the transmission condition data.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a housing, a wireless receiver carried by the housing and configured to receive communication signals over a wireless frequency range, a wireline transmitter carried by the housing and configured to transmit communication signals at a frequency overlapping the wireless frequency range, and a controller carried by the housing and coupled with the wireless receiver and the wireline transmitter. The controller may be configured to determine when the wireless receiver is to begin receiving and, based thereon, switch the wireline transmitter to a suspended communication mode during which transmission is disabled. The controller may also be configured to determine when the wireless receiver has completed receiving and, based thereon, switch the wireline transmitter to a normal communication mode in which transmission is enabled.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, circuits, apparatus and systems for facilitating wireless data communication. According to some embodiments, there may be provided a wireless access point including a set of N antenna elements adapted to receive a transmission, wherein the transmission may include one or more data streams. There may be provided a multi-stream wireless modem circuit including a set of K received signal input nodes. According to further embodiments, a received signal translation block may be adapted to translate a data baring radio frequency signal received through the set of N antenna elements into signal inputs applied at some or all of the K received signal input nodes, wherein translating may include using a translation matrix and/or applying an MRC.

Abstract: In general, techniques of controlling a plurality of multimedia players in groups are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is provided to allow a user to group some of the players according to a theme or scene, where each of the players is located in a zone. When the scene is activated, the players in the scene react in a synchronized manner. For example, the players in the scene are all caused to play a multimedia source or music in a playlist, wherein the multimedia source may be located anywhere on a network.

Abstract: A twin power sourcing equipment constituted of: a first power sourcing equipment; and a second power sourcing equipment arranged for connection to a powered device over respective power paths; the first and second power sourcing equipments arranged to: simultaneously perform detection of the powered device; and in the event that at least one of the first and second power sourcing equipments detects the presence of the powered device, alternately perform detection of the powered device to detect a signature impedance; and in the event that each of the alternate detection is indicative of the presence of the signature impedance, provide power to the powered device simultaneously by the first and second power sourcing equipment. Power is not provided to the powered device in the event that the simultaneous detection is indicative of the absence of the powered device on each of the first path and the second path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transmit power allocation in multi-carrier, multiplexing MIMO communication systems. The present invention especially relates to a MIMO communication device, a method of assigning transmit power to two or more communication channels and a software program product. A multiple-input-multiple-output, MIMO, communication device according to the present invention comprises a link controller adapted to assign transmit power to two or more transmission channels, each of said transmission channels having preassigned a portion of transmit power for each of a group of subcarriers, said link controller being further adapted to assign, for each subcarrier of said group of subcarriers, at least part of the preassigned transmit power portion of a transmission channel that is not used for transmitting information at the subcarrier, to one or more transmission channels that are used for transmitting information at the subcarrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for IP-based telephony and video conferencing between at least one IP node (10) and a second terminal (30/31). According to said method, authentication data is transmitted from an identification module (11) of the IP nodes (10) and registration data is transmitted to a registration module (51). The IP node (10) is authenticated using an authentication module (20) and a home location registry (25). Corresponding location data is stored in the location database and is forwarded to the identification module (11) of the IP node (10). Said IP node (10) is then released for IP based telephony or video telephony.

Abstract: Systems for channel selection in power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a PLC device may include a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to cause the PLC device perform operations. One or more time slots in each of a plurality of frequency bands are sequentially scanned. 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 are synchronized across the plurality of frequency bands based, at least in part, upon the detected packet. 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.

Abstract: A programmable lighting control system integrates time-based, sensor-based, and manual control of lighting and other loads. The system includes one or more groups of controlled lighting areas, which may be, e.g., floors of a building. Each group may have one or more lighting zones, which may be, e.g., individual rooms or offices on a building floor. Each lighting zone includes occupancy and/or daylight sensors that may be wirelessly coupled to a gateway of the group. Each gateway is coupled to a network, such as, e.g., a local area network (LAN). Control software, residing on a computer (e.g., a personal computer or a server) coupled to the network and accessible via the network, remotely communicates with and controls the lighting zones either individually, groupwise, or globally. Each lighting zone can also be locally controlled at the gateway and can function independently of the control software and the gateway.

Abstract: A PLC network system and method operative with OFDM for generating MIMO frames with suitable preamble portions configured to provide backward compatibility with legacy PLC devices and facilitate different receiver tasks such as frame detection and symbol timing, channel estimation and automatic gain control (AGC), including robust preamble detection in the presence of impulsive noise and frequency-selective channels of the PLC network.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In a distributed antenna system (DAS) and a local area network (LAN), a common communication infrastructure distributes data from radio-based and Internet-based sources. A radio equipment (RE) of the DAS interfaces to a LAN segment. For the downlink, a gateway maps radio signal data from a radio equipment controller (REC) and data packets from a switch to mixed-data frames using a radio data interface protocol for transmission in the DAS. At the RE, the signal data and data packets are retrieved from the mixed-data frames and provided to the air interface and LAN segment, respectively. For the uplink from the RE, the radio signal data from the air interface and the data packets from the LAN segment are mapped to mixed-data frames and transmitted to the gateway. The gateway retrieves the signal samples and data packets from the mixed-data frames for transfer to the REC and switch, respectively.

Abstract: A system and method of a hybrid scheme of DL link adaptation in a network having mobile stations (MSs) in communication with a base station (BS). The system may include a mode decision module associated with the base station. The mode decision module may include one or more processors configured to select a first mode configuration for use during transmission of a first communication from the base station. The BS may receive first feedback information associated with the first communication, where the first feedback information includes a first mode recommendation and first channel information. Based on the first feedback information, the BS may generate a BS-derived mode configuration based on the first channel information and compare the first mode recommendation and the BS-derived mode configuration. Based on the comparison, the BS may determine a second mode configuration to use to configure a second communication.

Abstract: Various aspects of the instant disclosure are directed towards a method for communicating time-based data in a power line communication system. In accordance with one or more example embodiments, firmware is downloaded to a multitude of endpoints over power distribution lines carrying alternating current (AC) power. Endpoint devices targeted for changes to stored firmware are grouped and the firmware is delivered in chunks to each group. As devices receive a particular chunk of firmware, the device advances to a next stage and provides information indicative of this stage, based upon which subsequent chunks of firmware are communicated. This occurs (e.g., on a daily cycle) until the endpoint has received all firmware for an update, after which the endpoint(s) are re-started using the firmware. Accordingly, such updates can be carried out in a cyclic and verifiable manner.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing interference between a first signal of the carrier current type (Se) transmitted between modems (MCPL) in an electrical network (Re) and a second signal (S) transmitted between modems (M) in another network (R), the signals (Se, S) being coded by distribution of the data over allocated carrier frequencies in the same reserved frequency band (BF). The method includes: a step of measurement, by each modem (MCPL) in the electrical network, of transmission characteristics of each carrier frequency (F) that may be used for coding the first signal (Se), a step of detection, by analysis of the measured transmission characteristics, of at least one second carrier frequency (F2,n), which is allocated or may be allocated for coding the second signal (S) and is common with at least one first carrier frequency (F1,m), which is allocated for coding the first signal (Se), and a step of optimization of the distribution of the data of the first signal (Se) over carrier frequencies.

Abstract: A method for detecting an ingress of a short wave radio signal in a power line communication system which determines a strength of a common mode signal at a frequency of the power line communication system during a time period when no communication in the power line communication system at this frequency takes place and an ingress is detected if the strength of the common mode signal is above a determined threshold. A corresponding power line communication modem can implement such a method.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A transmitted digital signal from a digital signal processor is converted into an analog signal at an analog circuit, and then transmitted from transmission lines via a communication transformer. A communication apparatus has a plurality of communication modes that perform communication in different communication ranges. A controller in the digital signal processor changes an output level of the transmitted signal according to the communication modes. More specifically, the controller detects communication quality of the transmitted signal and lowers the output level of the transmitted signal within a range where the detected communication quality does not fall below predetermined quality.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) power limiter including a signal conductor having an input end and an output end and first and second limiter stages. The first limiter stage comprises a plurality of stacked diode strings arranged in anti-parallel with respect to the signal conductor. The second limiter stage comprises a second plurality of stacked diode strings arranged in anti-parallel with respect to the signal conductor. An all pass filter is arranged between the first and second limiter stages.

Abstract: A first node including a physical layer device, a first transceiver and a second transceiver. The first transceiver includes a first analog front end connected to a first transmission line. The first analog front end is configured to transfer first data between the physical layer device and a second node via the first transmission line. The second transceiver includes a second analog front end connected to a second transmission line. The second analog front end is configured to transfer second data between the physical layer device and a third node via the second transmission line. A first type of the second transmission line is different than a second type of the first transmission line. The first node is configured to perform as a repeater using data repeating functions at a link layer control level.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dynamic transmission power control method for a transmitter of a communication system which comprises the transmitter and a plurality of receivers. The transmitter is coupled to the plurality of receivers via a plurality of corresponding outgoing links. The transmission power control method comprising collecting a plurality of suggested transmission power back-off levels for the plurality of outgoing links to the plurality of receivers and/or and a plurality of channel characteristics corresponding to the plurality of outgoing links from the plurality of receivers; and determining an allowable transmission power back-off level for a desirable receiver among the plurality of receivers according to the plurality of suggested transmission power back-off levels and the plurality of channel characteristics.

Abstract: A power unit includes an AC/DC converter for converting VAC input to DC, a zero cross unit for modulating the AC/DC converter output to facilitate zero crossing detection based on the output, and a high pass filter (HPF) for filtering data signals, where the data signals are transmitted and received on the same medium from which the VAC input is received. A method for providing power and data signals from a single powerline source, including receiving incoming VAC in an external power unit, converting the incoming VAC to DC, modulating the DC in accordance with zero crossings from the incoming VAC, filtering the VAC to isolate high frequency data signals, where the data signals are transmitted and received on a same medium from which the incoming VAC is received, and providing the DC, modulated DC, and data signals to an embedded processing unit capable of processing the data signals.

Abstract: A power line communication method for realizing data communication between at least one first or sending power line communication partner device and at least one second or receiving power line communication partner device. The method checks transmission conditions of a plurality of possible communication channels, thereby generating transmission condition data descriptive for the communication conditions of the respective possible communication channels. Additionally, communication conditions of the plurality of possible communication channels are selected as actual communication conditions based on the transmission condition data.

Abstract: In a DOCSIS transmission network, it is necessary for an upstream receiver to estimate and correct for errors in the carrier frequency of the transmission based upon observations of a preamble sequence. This task is complicated by the fact that microreflections in the upstream channels cause intersymbol interference, which tends to bias the frequency estimation circuit. An economical, ISI-immune algorithm is provided for estimating the carrier frequency of upstream transmissions. The arrangement improves the reliability of the frequency estimates in the presence of ISI, thereby reducing the overhead and increasing the throughput of the upstream channels.

Abstract: A communications device includes a PLC interface operable to couple at least two differing communication signals to at least two differing pairs of at least three conductors of a powerline medium. A processing module of the device and the PLC interface interact with a remote PLC device to determine connectivity of the remote PLC device to the PLC device via the at least three conductors of the powerline medium, select at least two conductor pairs of the powerline medium that communicatively couple the PLC device to the remote PLC device for Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) signal servicing, and simultaneously transmit MIMO PLC signals to the remote PLC device via the at least two conductor pairs. The communications device may also include a non-PLC interface, with the communications device operable to divide MIMO communications between a powerline medium and a non-PLC medium, e.g., coaxial cable, cat-5 cable.