Abstract: A method and system for transmitting signals between communication nodes is presented. The method includes generating a first waveform that includes a shaped portion; generating a second waveform that includes a shaped portion; and combining the first and second waveforms including overlapping the shaped portion of the first waveform with the shaped portion of the second waveform and adding the overlapped portions of the waveforms. The method includes generating a signal including the combined first and second waveforms. At least one of the first and second waveforms includes a characteristic signature configured for synchronizing with the signal.

Abstract: A method for communicating in a network is presented. The method includes encapsulating content from a plurality of high level data units from a high level layer to generate a stream; dividing the stream into a plurality of segments; individually encrypting at least some of the segments, wherein an encrypted segment includes a plurality of encrypted blocks, and at least some of the encrypted blocks are encrypted based on at least one other encrypted block within the encrypted segment; and supplying low level data units to a physical layer that handles physical communication over the network, at least some of the low level data units each including a plurality of encrypted segments.

Abstract: Methods of operating in a network in which a plurality of stations communicate over a shared medium and contend for access during a priority resolution period. At least some of the stations use a first CSMA network protocol having certain characteristics (e.g., some transmissions have a format that includes a start of frame delimiter (SOF), a payload, and an end of frame delimiter (EOF), wherein the SOF and EOF each contain sufficient information to permit a station receiving only one of the SOF and EOF to determine the start of a priority resolution period). And at least some stations use a second network protocol capable of coexisting with the first protocol, so that stations may communicate using either the first or second protocol. The second protocol may have various characteristics configured to achieve coexistence with the first protocol (e.g., transmissions that have a format that includes an SOF but not an EOF).

Abstract: Coupling signals to a transmission line over a plurality of taps includes coupling a first signal onto a transmission line at a first tap, coupling a second signal onto a transmission line at a second tap, and controlling a phase for at least a portion of the first signal relative to a phase for a corresponding portion of the second signal.

Abstract: A method of operating in a network in which stations communicate over a shared medium is described. The method provides regularly repeated contention free intervals, CSMA communication during times outside the contention free intervals, and distributed control over the initiation and makeup of the contention free intervals to a plurality of stations so that any of the plurality of stations can independently initiate transmission within the contention free interval.

Abstract: Coupling a charging station to a power line segment that is terminated at a first end by a charging terminal includes: sensing a communication signal propagating on the power line and being coupled from multiple taps connected to the power line segment, and determining if the communication signal is propagating on the power line segment in the direction from the first end to a second end of the power line segment or in the direction from the second end to the first end.

Abstract: A method for communicating over a coaxial cable network is described. The method includes identifying at least one port in the coaxial cable network that provides high mutual isolation among nodes of the coaxial cable network when the port is terminated with an impedance that matches a characteristic impedance of coaxial cable in the coaxial cable network. The method also includes terminating the identified port with an impedance that is substantially mismatched with the characteristic impedance of the coaxial cable, and transmitting a signal from a first node in the network to a second node in the network.

Abstract: A method for generating a signal is presented. The method includes selecting a first set of carrier frequencies that are integral multiples of a first frequency interval, and selecting a second set of carrier frequencies that are integral multiples of a second frequency interval. The second frequency interval is an integral multiple of the first frequency interval and the second set is a subset of the first set. The method includes, for each of one or more signal carrier frequencies in the second set, selecting a plurality of associated carrier frequencies in the first set including a peak carrier frequency having substantially the same value as the signal carrier frequency, and modulating waveform frequency components at each of the selected plurality of associated carrier frequencies according to the same data value.

Abstract: A method and corresponding system for communicating between stations in a network is presented. The method includes providing repeated beacon transmissions from a coordinator station for coordinating transmissions among the stations; transmitting a signal from a first station and receiving the signal at a second station; and performing one or both of: generating the signal based on a local clock at the first station and time adjustment information in a beacon transmission received by the first station, and sampling the signal at sample times based on a local clock at the second station and time adjustment information in a beacon transmission received by the second station.

Abstract: In a network, some data are transmitted between stations during time slots in contention free periods. Selecting the time slots includes collecting timing information at some stations in the network. The timing information indicates the times of existing time slots used by stations whose transmissions can be reliably received by the station collecting the timing information. The timing information is distributed to other stations in the network. A new time slot for transmission between a first and a second station is selected based at least on timing information indicating the times of existing time slots used by stations whose transmissions can be reliably received by at least one of the first and second station.

Abstract: A system and method is described for reliably transferring a node in a communications network from one Logical Network to another Logical Network. The system and method is reliable and robust with respect to potentially varying implementations of host devices in the communications network, and is compatible with other network management operations as specified in HomePlug Specifications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating network bandwidth between a plurality of networks. Requests for bandwidth allocation from other networks can be received. A coexistence frame requesting an allocation of bandwidth for a local network can be generated based upon the bandwidth allocation requests received from other networks. The coexistence frame can be transmitted, and utilization of the requested allocation can be delayed by a reservation period.

Abstract: Methods and systems are operable to aggregate data. A plurality of data units can be received. The data units can be combined based upon a class associated with the data and a next hop associated with the data. A link can be provided for the combined data units based on service quality requirements for the traffic class associated with the class.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic allocation of network bandwidth. In some examples, a guaranteed interval period, including a guaranteed interval start time and guaranteed interval end time, can be identified based upon policy. Network stations can then identify first interval start times and first interval end times different than the guaranteed start times and guaranteed end time provided by policy. An access network can thereby provide a first interval start time and a first interval end time to stations within the access network. An in-home network can determine an in-home interval period based upon the first interval start time and first interval end time.

Abstract: Communicating among stations in a network includes, from each of multiple stations in the network, transmitting information indicating which other stations from which that station is able to reliably receive transmissions. A schedule for communicating among the stations is determined based on the information from the stations and transmitting the schedule over the network. The schedule includes a plurality of time slots during which respective sets of stations are assigned to communicate using a contention-based protocol.

Abstract: Communicating among stations in a network includes providing repeated beacon transmissions from at least some of the stations including a first station. The first station is assigned to a first level. Any stations that can reliably receive transmissions from the first station are assigned to a second level. Any stations not assigned to any of the preceding levels that can reliably receive transmissions from the preceding level are assigned to each of one or more higher levels. Timing information at each station in a given level is synchronized according to transmissions received from at least one station in the preceding level.

Abstract: A Media Access Control (MAC) protocol scheme for binding a response to a frame that requested the response. The response specifies a portion of the frame check sequence contained in the frame. The specified portion of the frame check sequence serves to identify the response as belonging to that frame.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for communicating among stations in a network. Broadcast or multicast traffic in the network can be selectively retransmitted according to one or more retransmissions rules established for the network. Retransmission rules can be established based on an analysis of network topology data and designed to minimize redundant transmissions in the network. MAC encapsulation mechanisms can be used to identify duplicate transmissions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authorizing customer premise equipment into a network. A publicly available network membership key can be provided to enable initial connection to the network. Unique network membership keys associated with various customer premise equipment can be provided to enable service level access to the network and/or authorization into a sub-cell associated with the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating and authenticating end-to-end management keys to stations to facilitate communications between stations in the network. A nonce based upon a pseudo-random number generated by the station(s) can be included with the end-to-end management key (EMK). The station(s) can compare the nonce to the generated pseudo-random number to authenticate the EMK.