Abstract: Functionality for secure client authentication and service authorization in a shared communication network are disclosed. A managing network device of a communication network causes a securely connected client network device to perform an account authorization process with an accounting network device in parallel with a service matching process with the managing network device and one or more service providers of the communication network. The managing network device executes the service matching process and securely matches the client network device with one of the service providers. The accounting network device executes the account authorizing process with the client network device and provides a service voucher to the managing network device authorizing one or more of the service providers to service the client network device. The managing network device transmits the service voucher to the matched service provider to prompt the matched service provider to service the client network device.

Abstract: A network device may transmit a short packet when the length of application data that will be transmitted does not exceed a threshold length. In some embodiments, the network device may transmit the application data in a frame control field of the short packet. The short packet may not include a payload field. In other embodiments, the network device may support multiple short payload field lengths and may transmit the application data in a short payload field with an appropriate short payload field length. The network device may also support communication techniques to transmit the application data in the short packet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authenticating key rotation communications. Key rotation communications can include a key counter known to both a headend device and a station. Comparison between a local key counter and the key counter included in the key rotation communication can be used to authenticate the key rotation communication.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques and apparatus for deferral based on basic service set identification (BSSID) information. According to certain aspects, a method for wireless communications is provided. The method generally includes receiving, on a shared access medium, a packet having at least one deferral-related parameter and deciding whether to defer transmission on the shared access medium based, at least in part, on the deferral-related parameter. Another method may generally include generating a packet comprising at least one deferral-related parameter to be used by another apparatus for deciding whether or not the other apparatus should defer transmitting on a shared access medium and providing the packet to the other apparatus.

Abstract: A master network device determines to transmit data from the master network device to a plurality of client network devices of a network. In one example, the master network device can generate a data frame including a payload with a plurality of symbols. The payload may include at least one symbol allocated for each of the client network devices. The plurality of symbols may be arranged in a predefined pattern in the payload. In another example, the master network device may generate a data frame including a payload with one or more symbols. Each symbol may include a plurality of frequency carriers, and may include at least one frequency carrier allocated for each of the client network devices. The plurality of frequency carriers can be allotted to the client network devices according to a partitioning pattern. The master network device then transmits the data frame to the client network devices.

Abstract: Network devices can be configured to implement adaptive power control functionality in a communication network. A power control requestor of a local communication network can calculate a link margin between a neighbor network device of a neighbor communication network and a local network device associated with a least preferred performance measurement. The power control requestor can transmit a power control message including the link margin to request the neighbor network device to vary the transmit power of the neighbor network device. In response to receiving a power control message, a power control responder can use a link margin indicated in the power control message to evaluate the feasibility of reducing the transmit power of the power control responder. The power control responder can transmit a power control response indicating whether it will vary the transmit power.

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: Within a domain of a master device, devices that share a power line as a communications medium monitor signal detection windows to sense network status. The devices transmit sensed network status to the master device. The master device allocates channel resources based on the network statuses communicated by the devices within the domain.

Abstract: A first powerline communication device, associated with a first powerline communication network, determines a plurality of time intervals in a beacon period of the first powerline communication network based, at least in part, on variations in levels of interference from a second powerline communication network which shares a powerline communication medium with the first powerline communication network. The first powerline communication device determines at least one channel adaptation parameter for each of the plurality of time intervals in the beacon period to compensate for effects of the variations in the levels of interference from the second powerline communication network. The first powerline communication device applies the at least one channel adaptation parameter corresponding to one or more of the plurality of time intervals in the beacon period when transmitting data via the powerline communication medium.

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: A method includes sending, from a first transmitter to a first receiver, a request to send (RTS) message associated with a first transmit opportunity (TXOP). The RTS message requests the first receiver to indicate whether reuse of the first TXOP is permitted. The method further includes receiving, at the first transmitter from the first receiver, a clear to send (CTS) message responsive to the RTS message.

Abstract: A method includes determining, at a first transmitter, whether to permit reuse of a first transmit opportunity (TXOP) associated with a message. The method further includes sending a portion of the message from the first transmitter to a first receiver. The portion of the message indicates whether reuse, by a reuse transmitter, of the first TXOP is permitted. When reuse of the first TXOP is permitted, the reuse transmitter is permitted to send a second message while the first transmitter sends a second portion of the message to the first receiver during the first TXOP.

Abstract: A method includes determining, at a first transmitter, a clear channel access (CCA) threshold associated with reuse of a first transmit opportunity (TXOP) of a message. The method further includes sending, from the first transmitter to a first receiver, at least a portion of the message, wherein the portion of the message indicates the CCA threshold.

Abstract: A network device can be configured to dynamically adapt its current primary receiver coupling to channel conditions. For each of a plurality of transmitting network devices, the network device can determine a potential primary receiver coupling of the first network device for receiving communications from the transmitting network device based, at least in part, on a performance measurement associated with each of the plurality of communication channels between the network device and the transmitting device. The network device can select its current primary receiver coupling based, at least in part, on the potential primary receiver couplings determined for the plurality of transmitting network devices. In addition, the network device can also determine how to communicate with a receiving network device based, at least in part, on a preferred communication channel between the two network devices and a current primary receiver coupling of the receiving network device.

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: An advanced gateway for multiple broadband access can include a plurality of broadband network interfaces. The advanced gateway can route data from a local network interface to a broadband network interface when a performance attribute of the broadband network meets or exceeds a data characteristic of data conveyed through the local network interface. In another embodiment, a first advanced gateway can send a portion of data received through the local network interface to a second advanced gateway when performance attributes associated with the first advanced gateway cannot meet or exceed a data characteristic of data received through a local network interface of the first advanced gateway. In yet another embodiment, an advanced gateway can receive commands from service providers, determine a recipient device for the command and forward the command to the recipient device through a device interface coupled to the recipient device.

Abstract: A powerline communication adapter may couple powerline communication signals between a network device and a powerline communication network. The powerline communication adapter may comprise of a first electrical connector including an electrical socket and a second electrical connector including an electrical plug. The powerline communication adapter may include a coupling unit coupled between the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector. The coupling unit may be configured to couple a powerline communication signal received via the first electrical connector to the second electrical connector to transmit the powerline communication signal via at least two powerline communication channels in the powerline communication network.

Abstract: A service provider device of a local communication network communicates a first frame with an electric vehicle via a first communication medium to associate with the electric vehicle, establish a communication link with the electric vehicle, and to add the electric vehicle to the local communication network. After an association process between the electric vehicle and the service provider device is successfully completed, the electric vehicle and/or the service provider device can execute operations that extend the utility of their respective communication devices by switching to a new communication medium. By switching to the new communication medium, the electric vehicle and/or the service provider device can connect to a remote communication network. The service provider device communicates a second frame with at least a network device of the remote communication network via the new communication medium.

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: A feature-capable device that supports channel reuse can execute operations for determining whether to reuse or share a communication channel with a neighbor network when a local network (that comprises the feature-capable device) and/or the neighbor network comprise legacy devices that do not support adaptive channel reuse feature. The feature-capable device can determine channel performance measurements associated with each legacy device in the local network and/or the neighbor network and can compare the channel performance measurements against corresponding performance thresholds. The local network and the neighbor network can reuse the channel if the channel performance measurements associated with all the legacy devices are in accordance with the corresponding performance thresholds. The local network and the neighbor network can share the channel if the channel performance measurements of at least one of the legacy devices is not in accordance with the corresponding performance thresholds.