Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a first device via a channel of a communication medium, multiple data transmissions, wherein a code rate of multiple code rates is associated with each data transmission of the multiple data transmissions. The method includes determining, based on signal characteristics of the multiple data transmissions, the data transmission from among the multiple data transmissions having a preferred physical data rate. The method also includes setting a code rate for the channel for communication from a second device to the first device via the communication medium, to the code rate of the data transmission having the preferred physical data rate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, at a receiver of a first device via a channel of a communication medium, multiple data transmissions. Each data transmission of the multiple data transmissions has a guard interval of multiple guard intervals, wherein the multiple guard intervals have different lengths. The method includes determining, based on signal characteristics of the multiple data transmissions, the data transmission from among the multiple data transmissions having a preferred physical data rate. The method includes setting a length of an adjusted guard interval for the channel for data communication from a transmitter of a second device to the receiver of the first device via the communication medium, to a length of the guard interval for the data transmission having the preferred physical data rate.

Abstract: A device may determine adapted physical layer transmission properties based upon characteristics of a packet stream to be transmitted via a communications channel. The physical layer transmission properties may comprise an adapted tone map that is associated with an aggressive physical layer throughput capability for UDP traffic, a conservative physical layer throughput capability for TCP traffic, or a dynamically adjusted physical layer throughput rate for mixed traffic. An indication regarding the adapted 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 adapted tone map without significant added overhead.

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: A method includes determining a signal strength value for a first received signal received from a first station in a first network. The first received signal is received in the first network through a shared communication medium that is shared with a second network. The method includes receiving an indicator of a signal strength value determined for a second received signal from a second station in the second network. Based on the signal strength value for the first received signal and based on the indicator of the signal strength value determined for the second received signal, a detection threshold is selected such that, in response to a third received signal having a signal strength in excess of the detection threshold, the third received signal is processed according to a protocol of the first network and is not processed according to a protocol of the second network.

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 contention groups of stations are assigned to communicate using a contention-based protocol.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for communicating among stations in a network. A station in the network can determine costs between that station and a headend through a number of other stations. The station can select a low cost path from among the possible paths. Cost data from the determination can be transmitted from the station to other stations in the network for use in selecting low cost paths at those stations.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for communicating among stations coupled to a communication medium by receiving signals from a plurality of the stations, determining signal strength values for each of the received signals based on at least a portion of the signal, and based on the signal strength values, selecting a detection threshold such that, in response to a signal having a signal strength in excess of the detection threshold, the signal is processed according to a protocol of a subset of the stations.

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: Dynamic channel reuse in multi-access communication systems. A first station in a communication network may receive a transmission over a communication medium. The first station may generate a reuse determination based on information from the received transmission. The reuse determination may be usable with at least one other reuse determination to coordinate reuse of the communication medium.

Abstract: Power save proxy functionality can be implemented to enable power save devices to switch to a power save mode and still receive communications from legacy communication devices. A first communication device determines that a second communication device is in a power save mode. The first communication device designates itself as a power save proxy for the second communication device that is in the power save mode. In response to detecting packets that are transmitted from a legacy communication device to the second communication device, the first communication device transmits a control message to the second communication device to request the second communication device to exit the power save mode, transmits a hold control message to the legacy communication device to request the legacy communication device to temporarily stop transmitting packets to the second communication device, or stores the packets intended for the second communication device.