Abstract: A transmitting device may determine a physical layer transmission properties based upon an amount of data to transmit via a communications channel. The physical layer transmission properties may comprise a derated tone map that has a lower physical layer transmission throughput capability than an original tone map. An indication regarding the derated tone map may be included in a first message, a portion of a physical layer framing protocol, a physical layer control transmission (such as a frame control symbol), or other transmissions such that the receiving device can derive the derated tone map without significant added overhead.

Abstract: A first network device detects at least a first orthogonal code included in a preamble of a network packet received at the first network device from a second network device in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication network. The first network device determines whether the first orthogonal code included in the preamble is associated with an assigned orthogonal code for the first network device. The assigned orthogonal code for the first network device is orthogonal to other assigned orthogonal codes for other network devices in the OFDM communication network. An operational mode of the first network device is changed from a sleep mode to an awake mode in response to determining the first orthogonal code is associated with the assigned orthogonal code for the first network device.

Abstract: A method includes determining a first Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) average for a first symbol set of at least one or more first symbols in one or more packets. The method includes determining a second SNR average for a second symbol set of at least one or more second symbols in the one or more packets. The method also includes determining a first difference between the first SNR average and the second SNR average. In response to determining that the first difference exceeds an SNR threshold, the method includes determining that a first channel event has occurred in the one or more packets at least within the first symbol set and the second symbol set and in response to determining that the first channel event has occurred, determining is to remain at the first data rate or at a second data rate that is higher than the first data rate.

Abstract: A first network device determines whether a first reference code included in at least a first transmission on a communication channel is associated with a code configured in the first network device. The communication channel is shared among a plurality of communication networks and the first reference code is associated with a first communication network of the plurality of communication networks. The first network device joins the first communication network associated with the first reference code in response to determining the first reference code is associated with the code configured in the first network device. The first network device communicates with a second network device in the first communication network using the code configured in the first network device.

Abstract: A method includes determining that a first station has been allocated a first time period to transmit over a shared medium in a network. The method includes transmitting, from the first station to a second station over the shared medium during the first time period, wherein stations other than the first station and the second station refrain from transmitting over the shared medium during the first time period. The method includes receiving, from the second station, a request message to allow the second station to transmit during the first time period and a requested amount of time to transmit. The method includes, in response to allowing the second station to transmit during the first time period, determining an authorized amount of time for the second station to transmit during the first time period, and transmitting an authorization message for the second station to transmit and the authorized amount of time.

Abstract: Powerline communication networks can be subject to burst interference resulting in loss of throughput and data corruption. A transmitting network device and a receiving network device of a powerline communication network can be configured to select a best performing powerline terminal coupling configuration for powerline communications. The transmitting network device can determine performance measurements associated with each of a plurality of powerline communication channels. The transmitting network device can select a best performing powerline communication channel based on the performance measurements, and can provide an indication of the best performing powerline communication channel to the receiving network device. The transmitting and the receiving network devices can each configure their respective terminal connections to switch to the best performing powerline communication channel.

Abstract: Communicating between stations in a network is described. A plurality of stations coordinate according to a distributed protocol to select a first station to transmit over a shared medium. The communication includes transmitting between the first station and a second station over the shared medium during a time period in which stations other than the first and second stations refrain from transmitting over the shared medium. The first station transmits information that grants permission to the second station to transmit during the time period.

Abstract: Communicating between stations in a network is described. A plurality of stations coordinate according to a distributed protocol to select a first station to transmit over a shared medium. The communication includes transmitting between the first station and a second station over the shared medium during a time period in which stations other than the first and second stations refrain from transmitting over the shared medium. The first station transmits information that grants permission to the second station to transmit during the time period.