Abstract: A network includes a mobile network node (MNN) that includes a mobile node communications manager (MNCM) to facilitate wireless communications to a plurality of stationary network nodes (SNNs) in a wireless network via a wireless network protocol. The MNCM utilizes a multicast address received over the wireless network. The multicast address is assigned to a predetermined network time slot to communicate uplink data from the MNN to the SNNs. The MNN receives downlink data via a separate predetermined network address and time slot assigned to a given SNN.

Abstract: In a disclosed embodiment, a method for communication in a network includes receiving, at a first device registered to the network, a physical layer (PHY) frame that includes a PHY header and a MAC header. The PHY frame may further include a MAC payload. The PHY header includes a destination address field. The method further includes comparing a network address of the first device to the destination address field to determine whether the destination address field stores a value having the same number of bits as the network address. When the comparison indicates that the value stored by the destination address field does not have the same number of bits as the network address, the method skips decoding the MAC header and the MAC payload.

Abstract: In accordance with disclosed embodiments, a first power line communication (PLC) device connected to a PLC network includes channel control logic that assigns a first channel of the PLC network for transmission on a power line of PLC data packets between the first PLC device and a second PLC device connected to the PLC network and assigns a second channel of the PLC network for transmission on the power line of PLC data packets between the first PLC device and the third PLC device connected to the PLC network. The PLC device includes a transceiver that receives and transmits PLC data packets on the PLC network and which operates as a bridge device that communicates on both the first and second channels to pass PLC data packets between the second PLC device and the third PLC device.

Abstract: The white list generator identifies wireless sensor nodes that communicate via a wireless sensor network, to identifies time slots assigned for with each of the identified wireless sensor nodes, and to create and maintain a list of the identified wireless sensor nodes and corresponding time slots. The white list generator provides power control information to power a transceiver for reception of transmissions from each identified wireless sensor node based on the identified time slots corresponding to the identified wireless sensor node provided in the list.

Abstract: In a disclosed embodiment, a method for communication in a network includes receiving, at a first device registered to the network, a physical layer (PHY) frame that includes a PHY header and a MAC header. The PHY frame may further include a MAC payload. The PHY header includes a destination address field. The method further includes comparing a network address of the first device to the destination address field to determine whether the destination address field stores a value having the same number of bits as the network address. When the comparison indicates that the value stored by the destination address field does not have the same number of bits as the network address, the method skips decoding the MAC header and the MAC payload.

Abstract: Systems and methods for designing, using, and/or implementing hybrid communication networks are described. In various embodiments, these systems and methods may be applicable to power line communications (PLC). For example, one or more of the techniques disclosed herein may include methods to coordinate medium-to-low voltage (MV-LV) and low-to-low voltage (LV-LV) PLC networks when the MV-LV network operates in a frequency subband mode and the LV-LV network operates in wideband mode (i.e., hybrid communications). In some cases, MV routers and LV routers may have different profiles. For instance, MV-LV communications may be performed using MAC superframe structures, and first-level LV to lower-level LV communications may take place using a beacon mode. Lower layer LV nodes may communicate using non-beacon modes. Also, initial scanning procedures may encourage first-to-second-level LV device communications rather than MV-to-first-level LV connections.

Abstract: A device may be coupled to a time slot based communication system and receive a timing beacon packet that is broadcast in a time slot of the communication system at a periodic rate, in which the network uses a time slotted channel hopping protocol of sequential frames each having a plurality of time slots. The device may synchronize its time base to the timing beacon. The device may calculate a sleep time corresponding to a number of time slots until a next time slot that is scheduled for use by the device and then place the device in a sleep mode. The device may be awakened after the sleep time and operate during the next time slot. The device may repeat the process of calculating a sleep time, going into sleep mode, and waking for operation after the sleep time in order to reduce power consumption.

Abstract: A network includes an intermediate node to communicate with a child node via a wireless network protocol. An intermediate node synchronizer in the intermediate node facilitates time synchronization with its parent node and with the child node. A child node synchronizer in the child node to facilitates time synchronization with the intermediate node. The intermediate node synchronizer exchanges synchronization data with the child node synchronizer to enable the child node to be time synchronized to the intermediate node before the intermediate node is synchronized to its parent node if the intermediate node has not synchronized to its parent node within a predetermined guard time period established for the child node.

Abstract: A network includes at least one node to communicate with at least one other node via a wireless network protocol. The node includes a network configuration module to periodically switch a current node function of the node between an intermediate node function and a leaf node function. The switch of the current node function enables automatic reconfiguration of the wireless network based on detected communications between the at least one node and at least one intermediate node or at least one leaf node via the wireless network protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing transmission collisions. In one embodiment, a transmitter for communicating of a smart grid power line network includes an arbiter. The arbiter is configured to select a transmission interval during which the transmitter can transmit. The interval is selected from a plurality of available transmission intervals reserved for contending transmissions, and selected based on a level of a hierarchical network at which the transmitter is located. The interval selected is different from any interval used by a different transmitter spaced two hierarchical levels away from the level of the hierarchical network at which the transmitter is located.

Abstract: A photovoltaic system with an inverter, at least one solar panel for providing electrical power, and electrical wiring for coupling electrical power from the at least one solar panel to the inverter. Also included is a transmitter for transmitting a messaging protocol along the electrical wiring, where the protocol includes a multibit wireline signal. Also included is circuitry for selectively connecting the electrical power from the at least one solar panel along the electrical wiring to the inverter in response to the messaging protocol.

Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing scheduling for charger and electric vehicle communication in a PLC system are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a method performed by a PLC device. In a further embodiment, the PLC device may be configured to operate according to a narrow-band PLC communication protocol. In a further embodiment, the narrow-band PLC communications between PLC devices in the charger and the electric vehicle are conducted over a pilot wire coupling the charger to the electric vehicle. In still a further embodiment, the pilot wire may be one of a standard set of existing wires in a standard cable used for connecting the charger to the electric vehicle.

Abstract: In a disclosed embodiment, a method for communication in a network includes receiving, at a first device registered to the network, a physical layer (PHY) frame that includes a PHY header and a MAC header. The PHY frame may further include a MAC payload. The PHY header includes a destination address field. The method further includes comparing a network address of the first device to the destination address field to determine whether the destination address field stores a value having the same number of bits as the network address. When the comparison indicates that the value stored by the destination address field does not have the same number of bits as the network address, the method skips decoding the MAC header and the MAC payload.

Abstract: In accordance with disclosed embodiments, a first power line communication (PLC) device connected to a PLC network includes channel control logic that assigns a first channel of the PLC network for transmission on a power line of PLC data packets between the first PLC device and a second PLC device connected to the PLC network and assigns a second channel of the PLC network for transmission on the power line of PLC data packets between the first PLC device and the third PLC device connected to the PLC network. The PLC device includes a transceiver that receives and transmits PLC data packets on the PLC network and which operates as a bridge device that communicates on both the first and second channels to pass PLC data packets between the second PLC device and the third PLC device.

Abstract: A power line communication (PLC) network includes a plurality of PLC devices. One such PLC device may include a transmitter power control system that determines a minimum level of transmission power for sufficiently communicating a plurality of data packets from the PLC device over the PLC network to a first destination PLC device on the PLC network by executing a training sequence over the PLC network via an electrical power distribution system. The transmitter power control system applies this minimum level of transmission power to transmit the data packets to the first destination PLC device.

Abstract: A physical layer (PHY) data frame for use in conjunction with processor in a node, processor coupled to a program memory for storing a sequence of operating instructions. The frame has a preamble, PHY header, a MAC header and a MAC payload. The PHY header includes a destination address field having a destination address therein. The destination address is used by the processor to determine match with the node address.

Abstract: Authentication of a networked device with limited computational resources for secure communications over a network. Authentication of the device begins with the supplicant node transmitting a signed digital certificate with its authentication credentials to a proxy node. Upon verifying the certificate, the proxy node then authenticates the supplicant's credentials with an authentication server accessible over the network, acting as a proxy for the supplicant node. Typically, this verification includes decryption according to a public/private key scheme. Upon successful authentication, the authentication server creates a session key for the supplicant node and communicates it to the proxy node. The proxy node encrypts the session key with a symmetric key, and transmits the encrypted session key to the supplicant node which, after decryption, uses the session key for secure communications. In some embodiments, the authentication server encrypts the session key with the symmetric key.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for adaptive sub-band point-to-point communication are presented. In one embodiment a method includes performing functions using a power line communication (PLC) transmitter device. The method may include receiving a first data packet having a first adaptive sub-band information set, the first sub-band information set comprising information from a PLC transmitter. The method may also include extracting the first sub-band information set from the first data packet. Additionally, the method may include analyzing the first sub-band information set to determine a transmitter sub-band hopping pattern. The method may further include setting a corresponding receiver sub-band hopping pattern synchronized to the sub-band hopping patter used by the PLC transmitter and hopping to a subsequent sub-band as defined by the receiver sub-band hopping pattern.

Abstract: An algorithm for the promotion of terminal nodes to switch nodes in a PLC network reduces overall network overhead and collisions, while ensuring the appropriate selection of a switch node and minimizing the number of levels in a PLC network. It also ensures that the terminal nodes with appropriate signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) are promoted. It is desirable to have a network with fewer levels. The disclosed approach favors the nodes that are closer to the DC to promote them as switch nodes. This is achieved by waiting for a smaller number of PNPDUs for a node that is closer to the DC in comparison to a node that is farther away from the DC.

Abstract: A network includes a parent node and at least one child node that is configured to communicate with the parent node via a wireless network protocol. The parent node includes a broadcast coordinator to transmit a broadcast message from the parent node to the child node at predetermined time intervals according to the wireless network protocol. A scheduler generates a scheduling packet that is communicated in the broadcast message. The scheduling packet includes a data field to instruct each child node to activate and receive data communicated from the parent node in a prescribed time slot following the broadcast message that is defined by the scheduling packet.