Abstract: A method of operating in a network (e.g., a power line communication network) in which a plurality of stations communicate over a shared medium (e.g., an AC power line) having a periodically varying channel. The method includes determining a plurality of channel adaptations (e.g., tone maps) for communication between a pair of stations, and assigning a different one of the plurality of channel adaptations to each of a plurality of phase regions of the periodically varying channel.

Abstract: A method of operating in a network in which a plurality of stations communicate over a shared medium, comprising providing a physical layer (e.g., PHY) for handling physical communication over the shared medium; providing a high level layer (e.g., PAL) that receives data from the station and supplies high level data units (e.g., MSDUs) for transmission over the medium; providing a MAC layer that receives the high level data units from the high level layer and supplies low level data units (e.g., MPDUs) to the physical layer; at the MAC layer, encapsulating content from a plurality of the high level data units; dividing the encapsulated content into a plurality of pieces (e.g., segments) with each piece capable of being independently retransmitted; and supplying low level data units containing one or more of the plurality of pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are provided for network radio frequency ("RF") data communications. The apparatus preferably has an extended channel radio transmitter for selectively transmitting data communication radio signals across a plurality of different carrier frequencies which respectively define a plurality of extended data communication channels. The transmitter preferably includes a channel scanner for scanning the extended data communication channels for availability prior to transmitting across a selected one of the plurality of extended data communication channels. An extended channel radio receiver is responsive to the extended channel radio transmitter for receiving the data communication signals from the selected one of the extended data communication channels.