Abstract: A method of dynamically, and automatically, varying the sensitivity of a receiver coupled to receive signals on a carrier medium, such as for example POTS wiring, includes the step of detecting whether more than a predetermined number of noise events, such as for example traversals of a noise threshold level, occur within a predetermined time. If the predetermined number of noise events occur, the sensitivity of the receiver is automatically varied by a predetermined increment. For example, the noise threshold level may be raised by a predetermined voltage to vary the sensitivity of the receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a collision between signal transmissions on a carrier medium, such as UTP wiring, are described. The method commences with the transmission of an identifier from a transmitter of a network device. The transmitted identifier has a predetermined duration and includes a pulse at a temporal location within the transmitted identifier specific thereto. A identifier is also received at a receiver of the network device. The received identifier also has a predetermined duration, and includes a pulse at a temporal location therein. A determination is then made as to whether the temporal location of the pulse within the received identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the transmitted identifier. If not, a collision is detected on the network.

Abstract: A method of transmitting information over POTS wiring includes transmitting a first delimiter signal, in the form of a multi-cycle waveform having a frequency of approximately 7.5 MHz, over the POTS wiring. A second delimiter signal, also comprising a multi-cycle waveform, is then later propagated over the POTS wiring. The time duration between the respective propagations of the first and second delimiter signals defines a symbol, which encodes information. The time duration is also such that reflections on the carrier medium resulting from the propagation of the first delimiter signal decay to a predetermined level prior to propagation of the second delimiter signal.

Abstract: A method to detect a collision on a carrier medium, such as UTP or POTS wiring, commences with a transmission of a first identifier for a network device over the carrier medium. The first identifier comprises a first series of pulses transmitted over a first time interval. Each pulse of the first series has a respective temporal location within the first time interval. A second identifier comprising a second series of pulses is received at the network device over a second time interval. A determination is made as to whether the first identifier corresponds to the second identifier and, if not, a collision is detected on the carrier medium. The determination of whether the first and second identifiers correspond may comprise determining whether the respective temporal locations, within the first time interval, of each pulse of the first series of pulses corresponds to a respective temporal location, within the second time interval, of a pulse in the second series of pulses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding a symbol, having a time duration indicative of a bit sequence and determined by first and second delimiters being with the detection of the first delimiter of the symbol on a carrier medium. A predetermined blanking interval is measured following detection of this first delimiter. Detection of the second delimiter on the carrier medium is prevented prior to expiration of the predetermined blanking interval. This is to prevent the detection of reflections resulting from the propagation of the first delimiter over the carrier medium, and the incorrect identification of such reflections as the second delimiter of the symbol. The valid second delimiter of the symbol is then detected on a carrier medium subsequent to expiration of the predetermined blanking interval. A symbol, indicative of the bit sequence, is identified from a group of symbols based on the time duration between the respective detections of the first and second delimiters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a collision between signal transmissions on a carrier medium, such as UTP wiring, are described. The method commences with the transmission of an access identifier from a transmitter of a network device. The transmitted access identifier has a predetermined duration and includes a pulse at a temporal location within the transmitted access identifier specific thereto. An access identifier is also received at a receiver of the network device. The received access identifier also has a predetermined duration, and includes a pulse at a temporal location therein. A determination is then made as to whether the temporal location of the pulse within the received access identifier corresponds to the temporal location of the pulse within the transmitted access identifier. If not, a collision is detected on the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding a bit sequence as a symbol, suitable for transmission over POTS wiring, are described. The symbol has a duration indicative of the bit sequence, this time duration be determined by first and second delimiters. The method commences upon the receipt of a bit sequence at an encoder. Thereafter, a symbol, having a duration indicative of the bit sequence, is identified. The symbol is characterized in that it includes a buffer portion and an encoding portion. The buffer portion is of sufficient duration to allow reflections, generated by propagation of the first delimiter of the symbol on the POTS wiring, to decay to a predetermined level before propagation of the second delimiter.

Abstract: A multiple port signal regenerator for facilitating communication between a plurality of (two or more) computers and computer peripheral devices ("computer products") in a local access network. The regenerator includes logic circuits that: (1) receives, processes and transmits an incoming message from a source computer product and ignores subsequently received incoming messages from other computer products until the first-received message is processed; (2) suppresses or ignores, for a predetermined punishment time interval, subsequent messages received from a source computer product, if temporal length of a message received from the source exceeds a predetermined protocol time interval; and (3) after the end of a message is received, determines when the lines of a network are all idle so that the regenerator can be re-activated to receive another incoming message from a computer product in the network.

Abstract: A multiple port signal regenerator for facilitating communication between a plurality of (two or more) computers and computer peripheral devices ("computer products") in a local access network. The regenerator includes logic circuits that: (1) receives, processes and transmits an incoming message from a source computer product and ignores subsequently received incoming messages from other computer products until the first-received message is processed; (2) suppresses or ignores, for a predetermined punishment time interval, subsequent messages received from a source computer product, if temporal length of a message received from the source exceeds a predetermined protocol time interval; and (3) after the end of a message is received, determines when the lines of a network are all idle so that the regenerator can be re-activated to receive another incoming message from a computer product in the network.