Abstract: Method and apparatus for use within a wireless OFDM network that transmits and receives first and second packets each having header bits and utilizing variable header repetition. The header bits in the first packet are communicated on multiple OFDM symbols and repeated on a plurality of OFDM subcarriers in a first frequency band. The header bits in a second packet are communicated on fewer OFDM symbols and in a second frequency band that overlaps with and is wider than the first frequency band.

Abstract: A wireless OFDM transceiver uses a method of detecting subcarrier characteristics, such as phase and amplitude, to determine the bandwidth of a received packet. By detecting different subcarrier characteristics in the long training symbols of a packet at the receiver, the packet is associated with different bandwidths. The different bandwidths are used in a wireless network where devices can communicate using two frequency bands that overlap one another and where one is wider than the other.

Abstract: A wireless OFDM transceiver uses subcarrier characteristics, such as phase and amplitude, to detect the bandwidth of a received packet. By detecting different subcarrier characteristics in the long training symbols of a packet at the receiver, the packet is associated with different bandwidths. The different bandwidths are used in a wireless network where devices can communicate using different frequency bands that overlap one another and where one is wider than the other.

Abstract: A wireless OFDM transceiver uses subcarrier characteristics, such as phase and amplitude, to detect the bandwidth of a received packet. By detecting different subcarrier characteristics in the long training symbols of a packet at the receiver, the packet is associated with different bandwidths. The different bandwidths are used in a wireless network where devices can communicate using different frequency bands that overlap one another and where one is wider than the other.

Abstract: A wireless OFDM transceiver uses a method of utilizing subcarrier characteristics, such as phase and amplitude, to indicate the bandwidth of a transmitted packet. By using different subcarrier characteristics in the long training symbols of a packet at the transmitter, the packet is associated with different bandwidths. The different bandwidths are used in a wireless network where devices can communicate using different frequency bands that overlap one another and where one is wider than the other.

Abstract: Techniques for header encoding include encoding a plurality of bits using a forward error correction code, generating an FEC codeword comprising a plurality of encoded bits, and concatenating a first copy of the FEC codeword with a second copy of the FEC codeword, wherein the concatenating comprises cyclically shifting by two bits the second concatenated copy of the FEC codeword relative to the first concatenated copy of the FEC codeword, wherein the encoded bits of the first and second copies of the FEC codewords are modulated on at least one OFDM symbol. techniques for header decoding include receiving a plurality of encoded bits comprising at least two concatenated copies of an FEC codeword, decoding a first copy of the FEC codeword to generate a first plurality of decoded bits, and decoding a second copy of the FEC codeword to generate a second plurality of decoded bits.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to the generation of data blocks that collectively include padding appended before a first or after a last of the data blocks. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: There are several exemplary ways to more efficiently communicate an out-of-domain seed to a receiver—in a first technique, the seed can be indicated in the header portion or data portion of a packet. For example, the header portion of the packet could contain one or more bit fields that indicate the value of the LFSR seed used for the preamble portion of the packet. The receiver would learn the out-of-domain seed after receiving a first out-of-domain packet and decoding the header portion of that packet. After learning the out-of-domain seed, the receiver could send a packet indicating the value of the out-of-domain seed to the local master. The local master could then transmit the value of the out-of-domain seed in the header portion or data portion of a local MAP frame.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a security apparatus. The apparatus includes a security controller. The security controller is within a secure domain. The controller is configured to receive a trigger event from a first device outside the secure domain and a second trigger event. The controller is configured to automatically generate a secure password from a provisional password using a secure password provisioning protocol in response to the first trigger event and the second trigger event. The controller is also configured to pair the first device with the secure domain by establishing secure communications using the secure password.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations related to data communication using a frame that includes at least two data packets. In one implementation, a first of the data packets includes at least a payload with repeated payload portions to increase diversity gain. A second of the data packets includes at least a payload with repeated payload portions to increase diversity gain. The repeated payload portions of the second data packet are shuffled or rotated in relation to the repeated data payload portions of the first data packet. In one implementation, the frame is conveyed in a Power Line Communication (PLC) system.

Abstract: There are several exemplary ways to more efficiently communicate an out-of-domain seed to a receiver—in a first technique, the seed can be indicated in the header portion or data portion of a packet. For example, the header portion of the packet could contain one or more bit fields that indicate the value of the LFSR seed used for the preamble portion of the packet. The receiver would learn the out-of-domain seed after receiving a first out-of-domain packet and decoding the header portion of that packet. After learning the out-of-domain seed, the receiver could send a packet indicating the value of the out-of-domain seed to the local master. The local master could then transmit the value of the out-of-domain seed in the header portion or data portion of a local MAP frame.

Abstract: There are several exemplary ways to more efficiently communicate an out-of-domain seed to a receiver—in a first technique, the seed can be indicated in the header portion or data portion of a packet. For example, the header portion of the packet could contain one or more bit fields that indicate the value of the LFSR seed used for the preamble portion of the packet. The receiver would learn the out-of-domain seed after receiving a first out-of-domain packet and decoding the header portion of that packet. After learning the out-of-domain seed, the receiver could send a packet indicating the value of the out-of- domain seed to the local master. The local master could then transmit the value of the out- of-domain seed in the header portion or data portion of a local MAP frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a network having a controller (102) and network devices (104) coupled thereto and having both wideband and narrowband signaling. The controller (102) determines one or more narrowbands in a frequency band associated with a wideband network and selects the narrowband(s) as silent bands where one or more network devices (104) are not to transmit wideband signals.

Abstract: There are several exemplary ways to more efficiently communicate an out-of-domain seed to a receiver—in a first technique, the seed can be indicated in the header portion or data portion of a packet. For example, the header portion of the packet could contain one or more bit fields that indicate the value of the LFSR seed used for the preamble portion of the packet. The receiver would learn the out-of-domain seed after receiving a first out-of-domain packet and decoding the header portion of that packet. After learning the out-of-domain seed, the receiver could send a packet indicating the value of the out-of-domain seed to the local master. The local master could then transmit the value of the out-of-domain seed in the header portion or data portion of a local MAP frame.

Abstract: There are several exemplary ways to more efficiently communicate an out-of-domain seed to a receiver—in a first technique, the seed can be indicated in the header portion or data portion of a packet. For example, the header portion of the packet could contain one or more bit fields that indicate the value of the LFSR seed used for the preamble portion of the packet. The receiver would learn the out-of-domain seed after receiving a first out-of-domain packet and decoding the header portion of that packet. After learning the out-of-domain seed, the receiver could send a packet indicating the value of the out-of-domain seed to the local master. The local master could then transmit the value of the out-of-domain seed in the header portion or data portion of a local MAP frame.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations related to the generation of probe frames. In one implementation, a generated probe frame includes two symbols, where the two symbols are different. In one implementation, a first of the two symbols is a probe symbol and a second of the two symbols is a quiet symbol.

Abstract: There are several exemplary ways to more efficiently communicate an out-of-domain seed to a receiver—in a first technique, the seed can be indicated in the header portion or data portion of a packet. For example, the header portion of the packet could contain one or more bit fields that indicate the value of the LFSR seed used for the preamble portion of the packet. The receiver would learn the out-of-domain seed after receiving a first out-of-domain packet and decoding the header portion of that packet. After learning the out-of-domain seed, the receiver could send a packet indicating the value of the out-of-domain seed to the local master. The local master could then transmit the value of the out-of-domain seed in the header portion or data portion of a local MAP frame.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to data communications using a data packet having at least one frame with a robust preamble for use over media having a high degree of non-stationary noise (e.g., impulsive noise). The described techniques employ a preamble with a structure having multiple transitions between the preamble sections. Each transition indicates the start of the upcoming frame. With the techniques described herein, if noise damages the transitions between such sections beyond recognition, the receiver can still determine the frame start time from the one or more of the undamaged transitions. Thus, the robustness of communications via the noisy media is significantly increased. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: In at least one implementation a method includes receiving an identifier associated with a device, entering the identifier into a network controller device, inviting the device associated with the identifier to join a network, admitting the device associated with the identifier to the network, sending the device associated with the identifier a name of the network, and confirming that the device has joined the network as a device recognized by the network controller device.

Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide communication between networked nodes operating on a communication network medium. In an implementation, a node generates a broadcast frame that includes at least a preamble and a payload. The preamble of the broadcast frame may include supplemental information. The supplemental information may be associated with one or more symbols of the preamble. The supplemental information may contain predetermined header information for use by nodes operating on the communication network medium.