Abstract: A method for assessing channel performance in a home communication network is provided. The home communication network is operable over a plurality of channels. The home communication network includes a network controller and a plurality of nodes. Each of the network controller and the plurality of nodes is in communication over a coax backbone. The method preferably includes selecting a channel for assessment and allocating a first probe operation for use with the plurality of nodes. The method may also include, in response to the allocating, sending a first probe operation report message from each of the plurality of nodes to the network controller. In response to receiving the first probe operation report messages, the method may further include using the network controller to select a node to be a channel assessment operation node. In addition, the method may include selecting at least a portion of the plurality of nodes to participate in a channel assessment operation signal exchange.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting packets over a network of communication channels are provide. A system according to the invention may include first and second nodes in communication with a coax backbone. The first node may further include a retransmission buffer. The system may also include a network access coordinator operative to coordinate access of the nodes to the coax backbone. In a time period at least one first packet is transmitted by the first node to the second node. The first packet may include an indication that retransmission service is applied. The first packet may also include a indication of the length corresponding to the packet. If, during the first time period the packet is not received by the second node, the second node is operative to send a retransmission request to the network access coordinator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the latency and for increasing throughput for MoCA devices that are connected via a coax network are provided. One method according to the invention includes, in a network having a plurality of network modules, each of the plurality of network modules being connected to a coax backbone, communicating over the coax backbone between the plurality of network modules. The method further includes a requesting the use of aggregated messages. The method further includes aggregations of messages at the Ethernet packet layer and/or at the MAC layer. The resulting messages can be received while making more efficient use of the MoCA network.

Abstract: A system for serving an individual node in a shared communication network having a MAC layer and a PHY layer, the system being operative to interface between the MAC layer and the PHY layer. The system may include a first physical channel transferring at least one packet between the layers, a second physical channel transferring at least one burst parameter between the layers, and a third physical channel transferring at least one timing signal, for a burst characterized by the at least one burst parameter and comprising the at least one packet, between the layers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the latency and for increasing throughput for MoCA devices that are connected via a coax network are provided. One method according to the invention includes, in a network having a plurality of network modules, each of the plurality of network modules being connected to a coax backbone, communicating over the coax backbone between the plurality of network modules. The method further includes a requesting the use of short burst messages. The method further includes responding to the requesting by constructing a short burst message with a single channel equalization section and reducing the number of bits per hertz in the transmission constellation. The resulting messages can be received with an acceptable error rate while making more efficient use of the MoCA network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing reservation request overhead in a communications network in which devices are connected via a coax network are provided. A method for managing transmission of data over a MoCA network according to the invention may include monitoring data transmission requirements at a node on the network; generating statistics of the data transmission requirements; predicting transmission requirements from the statistics; and reserving future transmission opportunities in view of the predicted transmission requirements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for concatenating messages in MoCA devices that are connected via a coax network are provided. One embodiment of a system according to the invention includes a home network having a plurality of nodes. The network is implemented over coaxial cable. The network includes a plurality of networked nodes. A transmitter of at least one of the networked nodes is configurable to transmit a concatenated burst. The concatenated burst includes a preamble, a first payload frame and a second payload frame. The first payload frame and the second payload frame are separated by a cyclic prefix of a first symbol of the second payload frame.

Abstract: A system for transmitting packets over a network of communication channels, the system comprising a set of nodes comprising at least first and second nodes and a network access coordinator operative to coordinate the access of the set of nodes to a synchronous network of channels, wherein, if at least one individual packet has been transmitted from the first node to the second node which did not receive at least one packet, the second node is operative to send a retransmission request to the network access coordinator requesting retransmission of at least one individual packet.

Abstract: A system for transmitting packets over a home network of communication channels, typically coax cable, including a set of nodes, at least one having a packet aggregation functionality in which the node forms an aggregation frame by aggregating one or more packets which have accumulated at the node and transmits the frame. A network coordinator coordinates access of the nodes to the channels. At least one node is operative to inform the coordinator when it has formed an aggregation frame comprising a plurality of packets and to provide the coordinator with comparison information comparing different transmission possibilities for the frame. The coordinator, preferably responsively, determines whether, when, and which of, the aggregated packets can be transmitted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a method for reducing power consumption in MoCA devices that are connected via a coax network are provided. One method according to the invention includes, in a home network having a plurality of network modules, one of said plurality of network modules being a network controller, each of said plurality of network modules being connected to a coax backbone, communicating over the coax backbone between the plurality of network modules. The method further includes using the master module to receive requests sent over the coax backbone from the plurality of network modules for bandwidth to transmit bursts. The master module may establish an order of transmission opportunities for the plurality of network modules to follow when transmitting bursts directly to other network modules via the coax backbone. The method may also include using the master module to toggle each of the networked modules between a running power state and a standby power state.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing latency in coordinated networks. The apparatus and methods relate to a protocol that may be referred to as the Persistent Reservation Request (“p-RR”), which may be viewed as a type of RR (reservation request). p-RR's may reduce latency, on average, to one MAP cycle or less. A p-RR may be used to facilitate Ethernet audiovisual bridging. Apparatus and methods of the invention may be used in connection with coaxial cable based networks that serve as a backbone for a managed network, which may interface with a package switched network.

Abstract: A system for serving an individual node in a shared communication network having a MAC layer and a PHY layer, the system being operative to interface between the MAC layer and the PHY layer. The system may include a first physical channel transferring at least one packet between the layers, a second physical channel transferring at least one burst parameter between the layers, and a third physical channel transferring at least one timing signal, for a burst characterized by the at least one burst parameter and comprising the at least one packet, between the layers.

Abstract: A system for transmitting packets over a home network of communication channels, typically coax cable, including a set of nodes, at least one having a packet aggregation functionality in which the node forms an aggregation frame by aggregating one or more packets which have accumulated at the node and transmits the frame. A network coordinator coordinates access of the nodes to the channels. At least one node is operative to inform the coordinator when it has formed an aggregation frame comprising a plurality of packets and to provide the coordinator with comparison information comparing different transmission possibilities for the frame. The coordinator, preferably responsively, determines whether, when, and which of, the aggregated packets can be transmitted.

Abstract: A system for transmitting packets over a network of communication channels, the system comprising a set of nodes comprising at least first and second nodes and a network access coordinator operative to coordinate the access of the set of nodes to a synchronous network of channels, wherein, if at least one individual packet has been transmitted from the first node to the second node which did not receive at least one packet, the second node is operative to send a retransmission request to the network access coordinator requesting retransmission of at least one individual packet.