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: An apparatus comprising a receiver configured to receive a plurality of transmission requests from a plurality of end nodes via an optical network and an electrical network, a processor coupled to the receiver and configured to dynamically allocate optical transmission time slots to the end nodes according to measured RTTs of the end nodes, and a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the allocated transmission time slots to the end nodes. Also disclosed is a method performed by an OLT comprising receiving a plurality of transmission requests from a plurality of network units via a PON and an electrical network, and allocating optical transmission time slots to the network units dynamically according to measured RTTs of the network units.

Abstract: A method and device for communicating in a wireless local area network are discussed. The method can include selecting, by a transmitting station, a transmission channel by performing a Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) and transmitting, by the transmitting station, a Physical layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) over the selected transmission channel to a receiving station, wherein the transmission channel includes a primary 20 MHz channel and a secondary 20 MHz channel if the secondary 20 MHz channel was idle, and wherein the transmission channel includes the primary 20 MHz channel, the secondary 20 MHz channel and a secondary 40 MHz channel if both the secondary 20 MHz channel and the secondary 40 MHz channel were idle.

Abstract: A system and method for reduced latency reporting in an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON). Gate messages can be generated by a bridged fiber coax unit (FCU) in response to a first report message from a coax network unit (CNU). A second report message including a request for bandwidth can be transmitted to the optical line terminal (OLT) prior to receipt of upstream data at the FCU.

Abstract: A communication system which has a PROFINET IRT system with first communication devices for isochronous transmission. A special IRT bridge device is created, so that a traditional standard Ethernet communication device can also transmit real time-critical data over the PROFINET IRT system. The bridge device has a timer, which is synchronized in time with the timers of the first communication devices. In addition, a device for analysis of the transmission point in time of a real time-critical data telegram received by the communication device and a control unit are provided, such that the control unit controls the forwarding of the respective real time-critical data telegram to at least one second communication device as a function of the analyzed transmission point in time.

Abstract: Wireless client devices within a wireless network exchange data with other wireless devices during particular time slots determined by the network. More particularly, the system generates and wirelessly broadcasts synchronization information to the client devices, where the synchronization information contains individual masks to be applied to bit fields of individual client devices, where said time slots are determined in accordance with the masked bit fields. In such a manner, client devices can be coordinated to communicate with the system in a dynamic real-time tiered manner.

Abstract: A network device may be configured to iteratively modify an initial tone map for each communication region of a powerline cycle to minimize the time before application data can be transmitted. A first network device estimates an initial tone map for each communication region based, at least in part, on sounding messages received from a second network device. The first network device determines whether to estimate a modified tone map for the first communication region based on at least one performance measurement associated with a data packet generated using the initial tone map for the first communication region. If so, the second network device retransmits the sounding messages in the first communication region that will be used to modify the initial tone map for the first communication region, and the second network device continues to transmit the data packets using the initial tone maps in the remaining communication regions.

Abstract: A communication system including Satellite Communication apparatus providing communication services to at least a first set of communicants, the first set of communicants including a first plurality of communicants, wherein the communication services are provided to each of the communicants in accordance with a spectrum allocation corresponding thereto, thereby to define a first plurality of spectrum allocations apportioning a first predefined spectrum portion among the first set of communicants; and Dynamic Spectrum Allocations apparatus operative to dynamically modify at least one spectrum allocation corresponding to at least one of the first plurality of communicants without exceeding the spectrum portion.

Abstract: Provided are a base station, a terminal, a band allocation method, and a downlink data communication method with which bands can be efficiently allocated. In a base station in which a plurality of unit bands can be allocated to a single communication, when a data receiver acquires terminal capability information transmitted by a terminal in the initial access unit band and the bandwidth available for communication indicated by the terminal capability information can accommodate a plurality of unit bands, a unit band group which includes the initial access unit band as well as the unit bands adjacent thereto is allocated to the terminal, and a communication band movement indication, which indicates the movement of the center frequency in the communication band of the terminal toward the center frequency in the unit band group, is transmitted to the terminal using the initial access unit band.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for improving the capabilities of an evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, in particular for cases when more than one radio access network applying a time-division duplex transmission mode need to co-exist on a same carrier. The invention addresses further problems concerning an efficient allocation of uplink resources and resource allocation in a handover situation. The present invention assigns an attribute in form of a distinguishing value to the time slots used for the uplink and downlink transmission on said carrier such as to avoid scheduling of transmissions via a first radio access network in downlink or uplink time slots assigned to the second radio access network and to avoid scheduling of transmissions via the second radio access network in uplink time slots assigned for transmissions in the first radio access network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a logical link identifier (LLID) registration method, device, and system. The method includes: receiving, by a coax media converter (CMC), a first registration request sent by at least one coaxial network unit (CNU) that is connected to the CMC, where the first registration request carries the media access control (MAC) address of the CNU; and sending, by the CMC, in a first data window allocated to the CMC by an optical line terminal (OLT), a second registration request to the OLT, where the second registration request carries a first level LLID identifier allocated to the CMC by the OLT and the MAC address of the CNU, and the first data window is used for data exchange between the CMC and the OLT.

Abstract: A first layer one link aggregation master comprises a first port coupled to receive customer traffic; a first channel; a second channel; an aggregation engine coupled to the first and second channels; a first switch circuit coupled to the first port and to the first channel, and configured to communicate the customer traffic from the first port over the first channel to the aggregation engine, the aggregation engine including a splitter circuit configured to use layer one information to segment at least a portion of the customer traffic into a first virtual container and a second virtual container, the aggregation engine further including an encapsulation circuit configured to encapsulate the second virtual container using Ethernet standards for transport over the second channel; a radio access card configured to generate an air frame based on the first virtual container for wireless transmission over a first wireless link of a link aggregation group to the receiver; and a second switch circuit coupled to the

Abstract: A user device may: receive, from a network device, timeslot information and a first timing advance value. The first timing advance value may be used by the user device to send a data block to the first network device in accordance with the timeslot information. The user device may further: determine a first distance corresponding to a distance between the user device and the network device; determine a change in position of the user device; determine a second distance based on the change in position of the user device; and determine a second timing advance value based on the first timing advance value, the first distance, and the second distance. The second timing advance value may be used by the user device to send the data block to the network device in accordance with the timeslot information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing communication in a wireless communication network is provided. The method includes generating a plurality of sets of Connection Identifiers (CIDs) from the plurality of CIDs. Each CID in each of the plurality of sets of CIDs is absent in at least one of the plurality of sets of CIDs. Each CID of the plurality of CIDs identifies a connection between a Base Station (BS) of a plurality of BSs and a Mobile Station (MS) communicating with the BS. The method further includes assigning the plurality of sets of CIDs to the plurality of Base stations (BSs) in the wireless communication network based on a predefined condition.

Abstract: Systems and Methods for supporting carrier aggregation with different TDD configurations are proposed. In a first novel aspect, corresponding apparatus structure is described. In a second novel aspect, aggregation constraint is discussed. In a third novel aspect, transceiving mechanisms over multiple component carriers in DL/UL overlapped subframes are proposed. For simultaneous DL/UL transceiving, band combination indication methods are proposed, and HARQ feedback mechanisms are proposed. For non-simultaneous DL/UL transceiving, transceiving configuration methods are proposed, and the same HARQ feedback mechanisms are proposed. In a fourth novel aspect, CQI/RLM/RRM measurement mechanisms are proposed. In a fifth novel aspect, UE capability signaling mechanisms are proposed. The objective is to support flexible aggregation, to enhance DL data throughout, and to improve UL transmit power efficiency.

Abstract: A cellular communication system comprising a plurality of geographically spaced base stations (2) each of which comprises an antenna arrangement (4, 6, 8) per base station sector, each of which antenna arrangements has an antenna element for generating an array of narrow beams (10, 12, 14) covering the sector. Timeslots are simultaneously transmitted over each of the beams so as to generate successive sets of simultaneously transmitted timeslots per sector. The timeslots are each split into multiple orthogonal codes, for example Walsh codes. The communication system additionally comprising a scheduling device (31) for allocating for successive sets of timeslots common overhead channels, including a common pilot channel, which are allocated to the same sub-set of codes of each timeslot in the set. For successive sets of timeslots different data traffic is allocated to the same sub-set of codes of each timeslot in the set.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus, method, and system for transmitting and receiving high-speed data in point-to-point (P2P) fixed wireless communication. In an apparatus for transmitting high-speed data in P2P fixed wireless communication, an amplitude zero autocorrelation waveform (CAZAC) sequence generator generates and outputs a CAZAC sequence. A frame generator generates a frame in which the CAZAC sequence is arranged as part of a preamble before a payload including actual data. A continuous wave (CW) generator generates and outputs a CW signal. A multiplexer receives the CW signal output by the CW generator, and arranges and outputs the CW signal in a position before a signal output by the frame generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly re-distributing multi-media streams, including receiving multi-media streams at a master device from a source, adaptively determining channel time allocations in response to status information for transmit queues and transmission channel conditions, constructing a superframe from said multi-media streams for insertion into said downstream channel time allocations and wireless transmitting the channel time allocations to effect re-distribution of said multi-media streams to a remote device, are described. Also described is a method for wirelessly receiving re-distributed a multi-media stream including receiving a beacon signal and a channel time allocation and receiving said re-distributed multi-media stream.

Abstract: A data transmission method and device are provided in a wireless communication system. A user equipment transmits uplink control information (UCI) using a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource, allocated to a first component carrier (CC) among a plurality of CC's, in a sounding reference signal (SRS) subframe. The plurality of CC's in said SRS subframe, includes a second CC which comprises a single carrier-frequency division multiple access (SRS SC-FDMA) symbol, which is reserved to transmit SRS.

Abstract: The present invention provides a way of placing a physical layer device into a standby mode. After a link is established between multiple devices, a determination is made whether the device has data to transmit or whether a standby request was received from a link partner. If a standby request was received or the device has no data to transmit, standby mode is entered. In standby mode, unneeded circuitry is powered down. A transmitter in a channel and a receive path in a separate channel remain powered. While operating in standby mode, the PHY layer continuously transmits a standby code on the one or more channels that are not powered down. Standby mode is discontinued when a transceiver has data to transmit or when energy is detected on the powered down channels. Standby mode is also discontinued when no standby code is received, indicating a disconnect between devices.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transporting deterministic traffic in a gigabit passive optical network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Optical Line Termination (OLT) for exchanging data traffic in a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) having a controller programmed to generate a timeslot schedule for transport of a desired bandwidth of constant bit rate (CBR) data traffic by selecting one or more timeslots from periodic frame clusters operating according to a GPON Transmission Convergence (GTC) protocol. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Identifier-sharing methods for wireless communication devices are proposed along with wireless communication devices and base stations using the same method. The proposed methods allow multiple M2M devices to share the same device identifier. The shared device identifier is valid for only one M2M device in a given time interval by a mechanism of assigning the same periodicity value and different offset values to the M2M devices associated with the shared device identifier. The proposed methods can also categorize M2M devices into different classes respectively based on their M2M application types. By adjusting periodicity value associated with the shared device identifier, a class associated with delay-tolerable applications can be allocated with more M2M devices sharing the same device identifier in comparison to the another class associated with delay-sensitive applications.

Abstract: Hybrid Automatic Retransmit ReQuest-Acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) index mapping and uplink resource allocation is performed and controlled for channel selection transmission. A method for transmitting HARQ-ACK information to an eNode-B (eNB) by a User Equipment (UE) includes identifying KPCell as a number of downlink subframe(s) of a Pcell associated with an uplink subframe and identifying KSCell as a number of downlink subframe(s) of an Scell associated with the uplink subframe; generating Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) response information for a cell having a smaller number of downlink subframes between the Pcell and the Scell; generating HARQ-ACK information including the generated DTX response information and response information on data received by the UE from the eNB; and transmitting the generated HARQ-ACK information to the eNB through the uplink subframe.

Abstract: A method and system for applying a calibration procedure to match the peaks and nulls of the transmit and receive antenna patterns of a communication device are provided herein. The system may include: a plurality of antennas having tunable phases and configured for both transmitting and receiving; a plurality of radio circuits configured to transmit and receive via said antennas in a time division duplex (TDD) communication protocol; and a computer processor configured to calculate a weight setting difference between the transmit and the receive antenna pattern, wherein the antenna pattern is a peak-null pattern of the plurality of antennas operating together. The calibration value may enable the calibrated communication device to apply channel reciprocity to the beam-forming and/or nulling applications.

Abstract: A method of simplifying the encoding of a predetermined number of bits of data into frames including adding error coding bits so that a ratio of the frame length times the baud rate of the frame times the bit packing ratio of the data divided the total bits of data is always an integer. The method may also convolutionally encode the bits of data so that the same equation is also always an integer.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a signal from a base station to a user equipment in a multi-node system comprises down-link-transmitting a signal at a first zone of a radio frame by using centralized antennas (CAs); and downlink-transmitting a signal at a second zone used for a backhaul link of a relay in the radio frame by using distributed nodes, wherein the first zone and the second zone are multiplexed by time division.

Abstract: A system (300), apparatus (301), and method are provided for decentralized medium access control comprising an enhanced protocol for UWB MAC that includes a distributed reservation protocol (DRP) for distributed reservation of the medium (310). The invention also relates to any wireless system (300) that uses a MAC protocol comprising a distributed reservation protocol. The method comprises devices (301) announcing medium reservations in beacons (400) and devices (301) that receive such announcements respecting the reservations.

Abstract: Applications executed out of router memory may acquire additional bandwidth that is not being used by other applications, in order to speed up network traffic. Scavenging may occur up to a point where current congestion is detected, at which point any scavenged bandwidth is relinquished and the application returns to its prescribed limit. After current congestion is mitigated, scavenging may occur up to a limit below the point where congestion was detected. After a predetermined interval, additional scavenging may occur beyond this limit until a preset bandwidth limit is reached.

Abstract: In a data communication system capable of variable rate transmission, high rate packet data transmission improves utilization of the forward link and decreases the transmission delay. Data transmission on the forward link is time multiplexed and the base station transmits at the highest data rate supported by the forward link at each time slot to one mobile station. The data rate is determined by the largest C/I measurement of the forward link signals as measured at the mobile station. Upon determination of a data packet received in error, the mobile station transmits a NACK message back to the base station. The NACK message results in retransmission of the data packet received in error. The data packets can be transmitted out of sequence by the use of sequence number to identify each data unit within the data packets.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first transmission from a device, the first transmission transmitted at a first frequency. In response to receiving the first transmission, a transceiver is disabled and a second transmission is transmitted to the device, the second transmission transmitted at a second frequency. The method further includes receiving a third transmission from the device, the third transmission transmitted at the second frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an indication of a priority level of a non access stratum (NAS) message. In one aspect, a wireless communication device transmits a NAS signaling message together with a Packet Flow Identifier (PFI) information element that includes information indicating a priority level of the NAS signaling message. If the NAS signaling message has a low priority, the wireless communication device may receive a response message indicating that the ongoing NAS signaling message scenario can be performed less frequently in the future, thereby mitigating network congestion and radio interference.

Abstract: Systems and methods for channel selection in power line communications (PLC) are described. In some embodiments, a method may include defining a plurality of frames, each frame having a plurality of time slots. The method may also include assembling a pair of beacon and bandscan packets within each of time slot of each frame. The method may further include sequentially transmitting each of the frames over a corresponding one of a plurality of different frequency bands. In some implementations, each bandscan packet may include a slot index indicating a position of its time slot within its respective frame and/or a band index indicating one of the plurality of different frequency bands. In response to having transmitted the plurality of frames, the method may include receiving one or more packets indicating a selection of one or more of the plurality of different frequency bands to be used in subsequent communications.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus includes a first module, a second module, an inhibit module, a calculation module, and a control module. The first module constitutes a first system. The first system transmits and receives first data to and from a first device. The second module constitutes a second system. The second system transmits and receives second data to and from a second device in each interval time-divided with determined transmission timing. The inhibit module generates inhibit periods for preventing the first module from communicating by use of the first data. The calculation module calculates an occupation time required for the transmission and reception of the first data. The control module compares the period between the inhibit periods adjacent to one another with the occupation time and, according to the comparison result, instructs the first device to stop or delay the transmission of the first data.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of receiving, with circuitry at a first node, a signal indicative of a request to set up an optical channel data unit label switched path between the first node and a second node in a network. Time slots for a plurality of types of signals to be transmitted from the first node to the second node are reserved, and a set up message is transmitted from the first node to the second node. The set up message identifies the plurality of signal types and the reserved time slots. The optical channel data unit label switched path is then provided between the first and second nodes.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for scheduling resources in Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communication networks for “direct link” or peer-to-peer communications among stations operating therein so that OFDMA resources can be allocated to a transmitter station for a peer-to-peer communication session with a receiver station such that near-far issues caused by peer-to-peer communication are reduced/avoided. The disclosed technologies can prevent peer-to-peer communication links using different sub-channels within the same time slot from creating near-far issues for other receiver stations that are within communication range.

Abstract: A fast data method is contemplated to speed data processing and/or transmission times associated with sensor devices desiring to report or otherwise communicate electronic data over wireless or wireline communications mediums to a processing entity. The fast data method may be achieved by scheduling transmission windows/intervals for the sensor devices and adjusting the scheduled intervals in a manner aimed at increasing processing/polling speeds and/or in a manner aimed at facilitating transmission of data built-up over time due to a prior inability to transmit the data.

Abstract: In operation, a transmitting device selects a synchronization pattern associated with the desired timeslot that is at least mutually exclusive from synchronization patterns associated with other timeslots on the same frequency in the system. Once selected, the transmitting device transmits a burst embedding the synchronization pattern that was selected, where appropriate. If the receiving device detects the synchronization pattern, it immediately synchronizes with the timeslot with confidence that it is synchronizing to the desired timeslot by using sets of synchronization patterns associated with the desired timeslot that are at least mutually exclusive from synchronization patterns associated with the other timeslots on the same frequency.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein include a system and a method. In one embodiment, an industrial process control system includes a processor and a link active scheduler. The link active scheduler is configured to schedule execution of a macrocycle. The macrocycle includes an application timeslot and an asynchronous timeslot. The link active scheduler is further configured to schedule execution of scheduled instructions for a plurality of field devices of the industrial process control system in the application timeslot. The link active scheduler is further configured to schedule execution of unscheduled instructions for the plurality of field devices of the industrial process control system in the asynchronous timeslot. The industrial process control system further includes a macrocycle viewer executable by the processor. The macrocycle viewer is configured to display the macrocycle in a visual format.

Abstract: Provided are a base station, a terminal, a band allocation method, and a downlink data communication method in which a mapping method for synchronization signals and report signals is implemented with high resource usage efficiency when a first system in which an independent single communication is allocated to a unit band co-exists with a second system in which a plurality of unit bands can be allocated to a single communication. In a base station (200), an OFDM signal generation unit (225) maps primary synchronization channel (P-SCH), secondary synchronization channel (S-SCH), primary broadcast channel (P-BCH), and dynamic broadcast channel (D-BCH), which can be decoded by both an LTE terminal and an LTE+ terminal, to some of a plurality of unit bands available to the station itself. The OFDM signal generation unit (225) also maps D-BCH+, which can be decoded only by an LTE+ terminal, to all of the plurality of unit bands to produce a multiplexed transmission signal.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and a communication system are provided that allow a reduction in a frame loss due to interference caused by use of the same channel. A transmitting apparatus disposed in a base station includes a GPS receiver for receiving a GPS signal, a timing generator for controlling respective function blocks in accordance with the GPS signal and an inter-base-station control signal so as to precisely synchronize the timing of frame transmission among base stations, the front-end transmission processing unit including for converting transmission information into transmission time slots, a frame generator for generating a frame including a plurality of time slots and one frame guard, and a back-end transmission processing unit for transmitting the generated frame as a radio signal.

Abstract: A method of co-ordinating communication between a plurality of base stations in a communication system, including designating timeslots where said base stations receive and/or transit co-ordination messages to each other. The system may be an autonomous cellular system and the timeslots may be regularly spaced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding a slot table for a communications controller of a communications network are described. In one embodiment, a method for encoding a slot table for a communications controller of a communications network includes classifying branches of the communications network that are connected to the communications controller into at least one group, where each of the at least one group includes multiple branches, and generating a slot table entry for a time slot for accessing the communications network through the communications controller based on the at least one group. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of combining received wireless communication signals. For example, a device may include a radio-frequency (RF) combiner to combine first and second wireless communication RF signals of a wireless communication frame received via first and second respective antennas, into a combined signal; and a base-band phase estimator to estimate a phase difference between the first and the second antennas, and to provide to the RF combiner a feedback corresponding to the phase difference, wherein the radio-frequency combiner is to combine the first and the second RF signals according to the feedback.

Abstract: A method for interference cancellation in a device that receives transmissions from multiple sources is disclosed. The method includes receiving multiple slots, each including a pilot segment and a traffic segment. A first one of the slots includes information indicating an activity level of a traffic segment of the first one of the slots. The method also includes calculating a value associated with interference among the plurality of slots, utilizing the information indicating the activity level to account for an amount of interference attributable to the first one of the slots. Furthermore, channel conditions are estimated for a second one of the slots using the value associated with the amount of interference. The method also includes processing the second one of the slots according to the estimated channel conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing methods and apparatus for determining whether a cell in a radio access network could have been powered down during at least one time slot in a predetermined period of time. Measurement data relating to the cell is used to determine whether the neighbouring cells had sufficient spare capacity to handle the network traffic originating from cell during the time slots in the predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A station includes a reservation request transmitter, a bandwidth request transmitter, and a data transmitter. The reservation request transmitter transmits a reservation request to an access point during a contention slot specified by the access point. The contention slot is periodically allocated by the access point. The bandwidth request transmitter transmits a bandwidth request to the access point using a first allocated bandwidth allocated to the station as a response to the reservation request. The bandwidth request has a first data structure different from a second data structure of the reservation request, and includes information indicating a required bandwidth for transmitting a data to be transmitted. The data transmitter transmits the data using a second allocated bandwidth allocated to the station based on the required bandwidth.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product are provided. The apparatus may be configured to establish a first call for a first subscription, and accept a second call for a second subscription while maintaining the first call. A single RF transmit chain may be scheduled for uplink transmissions associated with the first call and uplink transmissions associated with the second call. A timesharing schedule for the transmit chain may determine timing for the uplink transmissions associated with the first call is transmitted and when the uplink transmissions associated with the second call is transmitted on the transmit chain. Downlink transmissions associated with the first and second calls may be received using different receive chain. Downlink transmissions associated with the first and second calls may be received using the same receive chain.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for implementing two types of sub-channel arrangements. A first type of sub-channel arrangement involves defining a first traffic portion and a second traffic portion of a transmission resource, transmitting broadcast traffic on at least one first antenna of a plurality of antennas in the first traffic portion using a first sub-channelization, transmitting multicast traffic on at least one second antenna of the plurality of antennas, the at least one second antenna being distinct from the at least one first antenna, in the first traffic portion using a second sub-channelization, and transmitting unicast traffic on at least one antenna of the plurality of antennas in the second traffic portion using a third sub-channelization.

Abstract: Techniques are presented herein for use in a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) communication system in which devices send transmissions to each other in time slots during a time frame. A plurality of time slots is allocated for a first device to send traffic to a second device. The first device includes in a transmission during at least one of the plurality of time slots an indicator configured to indicate whether a next time slot in the plurality of time slots is used for traffic from the first device to the second device. Thus, the actual usage of a next time slot in a sequence of a plurality of time slots may be dynamically determined by the transmitting device so that the receiving device(s) need not be in the idle listening mode for the next time slot, thereby saving power.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems and more particularly to wired communication systems. One embodiment relates to a network arrangement, comprising at least one master node and plurality of slave nodes coupled to the master node. The master node and slave nodes communicate over a medium (e.g., telephone wiring, coaxial cables, or power lines) with time-variant channel characteristics. The master node includes a processing block to receive inputs from the plurality of slave nodes. The inputs used by the processing block to generate an optimized Time-Division Multiple Access (TDMA) schedule which is broadcast to the plurality of slave nodes. Other methods and systems are also disclosed.