U.S. patent application number 13/913502 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-16 for power boost in communication system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lantiq Deutschland GmbH. Invention is credited to Joon Bae KIM, Vladimir OKSMAN.
Application Number | 20170332336 13/913502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45370453 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170332336 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
KIM; Joon Bae ; et
al. |
November 16, 2017 |
POWER BOOST IN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Abstract
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide
communication between networked nodes operating on a communication
network medium. In an implementation, a node generates a broadcast
frame that includes at least a preamble and a payload. The preamble
of the broadcast frame may include auxiliary information. The
auxiliary information may be associated with one or more symbols of
the preamble. The auxiliary information may contain power boost
information.
Inventors: |
KIM; Joon Bae; (Lexington,
MA) ; OKSMAN; Vladimir; (Morganville, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lantiq Deutschland GmbH |
Neubiberg |
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DE |
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Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20130265920 A1 |
October 10, 2013 |
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|
Family ID: |
45370453 |
Appl. No.: |
13/913502 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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PCT/EP11/06221 |
Dec 9, 2011 |
|
|
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13913502 |
|
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61421571 |
Dec 9, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 52/52 20130101;
H04B 2203/5408 20130101; H04L 69/323 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 52/52 20090101
H04W052/52; H04L 29/08 20060101 H04L029/08 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: decoding, at a node, a mobile application
protocol (MAP) physical layer (PHY) frame, the MAP PHY frame
including one or more symbols carrying auxiliary information that
includes power boost information; generating a data frame, the data
frame including one or more symbols at a power level in accordance
with the power boost information of the auxiliary information; and
transmitting the data frame.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary information further
includes one or more rules defining usage of the power boost
information.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more rules indicates
that one or more symbols is to be power boosted if a frame length
is equal or greater than a frame length value defined in the one or
more rules.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more symbols at the
power level in accordance with the power boost information of the
auxiliary information are at least associated with a preamble of
the data frame.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more symbols at the
power level in accordance with the power boost information of the
auxiliary information are at least associated with a header of the
data frame.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more symbols at the
power level in accordance with the power boost information of the
auxiliary information are at least associated with a preamble and a
header of the data frame.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the act of generating the data
frame includes power boosting the one or more symbols from a first
power level to second power level based on the power boost
information of the auxiliary information.
8. A system, comprising: a communication network medium; and at
least one node coupled to the medium, the node arranged to
communicate, at least in part via the medium, a frame that includes
power boost information.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the communication network medium
comprises a network of electrical power distribution
conductors.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the power boost information
includes a power boost value in decibel (dB).
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the frame comprises at least a
preamble portion, the preamble portion to carry the power boost
information.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein one or more symbols of the
preamble portion carry the power boost information.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the frame comprises at least a
header portion, the preamble portion to carry the power boost
information.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein one or more symbols of the
header portion carry the power boost information.
15. The system of claim 8, wherein the frame is a broadcast
message, the broadcast message for transmission to a plurality of
nodes coupled to the communication network medium.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the broadcast message is a
mobile applications protocol (MAP) physical layer (PHY) frame
communication.
17. A node, comprising: a controller; and a storage memory coupled
to the controller and including instructions to generate at least
one communication for communication on a communication medium when
executed by the controller, the at least one communication to
include: a first portion to carry auxiliary information, the
auxiliary information including at least power boost information,
and a second portion to carry payload data.
18. The node of claim 17, wherein the auxiliary information further
includes at least one rule defining usage of the power boost
information.
19. The node of claim 18, wherein the at least one rule indicates
that the power boost information is to be used to change a power
level of one or more symbols in a communication for transmission on
the communication medium.
20. The node of claim 17, wherein the power boost information is a
decibel value.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a Continuation of International
Application Number PCT/EP2011/006221, which was filed on Dec. 9,
2011. The International Application claimed priority to U.S.
Provisional Application 61/421,571, which was filed on Dec. 9,
2010. The priority of the two identified prior filed applications
is hereby claimed. The entire contents of the two identified prior
filed applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Power boost may be used in communication systems to enhance
the detection of a packet by increasing a transmit power of certain
symbols, such as the preamble and/or header, above the nominal
transmit level of the payload.
[0003] Existing specifications, such as IEEE 1901, provide a power
boost mechanism. However, the amount of power boost is fixed (e.g.,
0.8 dB) and the applicable symbols are predefined (e.g., preamble
and header). Because the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
regulations vary from region to region, and the amount of optimal
power boost may vary depending on the network size and traffic
characteristics, requiring fixed power boost parameters may require
communication systems to operate inefficiently.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the
accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a
reference number identifies the figure in which the reference
number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in
different figures indicates similar or identical items.
[0005] FIG. 1 is schematic of an example network or system in which
the techniques in accordance with the present disclosure may be
implemented.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a node
implemented as part of the network of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a schematic of an example communication block,
according to an implementation.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an example communication block,
according to an implementation.
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a representative process for generating a
communication at a node that includes auxiliary information that
contains power boost information.
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a representative process for generating a
communication at a node that includes one or more symbols power
boosted in accordance with auxiliary information conveyed in a
communication.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview
[0011] Representative implementations of devices and techniques
provide communication between networked nodes operating on a
communication network medium. In an implementation, a node
generates a broadcast frame that includes at least a preamble and a
payload. The preamble of the broadcast frame may include auxiliary
information. The auxiliary information may be associated with one
or more symbols of the preamble. The auxiliary information may
contain power boost information. The broadcast frame may be sent to
one or more nodes in a communication network. A node in the
communication network may use the power boost information to change
(e.g., increase) or set a power level associated with one or more
symbols of a data frame for transmission on the communication
network medium. The power boosted symbols of the data frame may
enable a receiving node to efficiently and successfully detect the
frame. Moreover, the use of such auxiliary information may enable a
node to seamlessly function in regions that have varying symbol
power level regulations.
[0012] Various power boost implementations, including techniques
and devices, are discussed with reference to the figures. The
techniques and devices discussed may be applied to any of various
network designs, circuits, and devices and remain within the scope
of the disclosure.
[0013] Implementations are explained in more detail below using a
plurality of examples. Although various implementations and
examples are discussed here and below, further implementations and
examples may be possible by combining the features and elements of
individual implementations and examples.
Example Communication System
[0014] In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 1, a system 100
comprises a communication network medium 102 shared by at least two
nodes (e.g., nodes 104, 106, and 108) coupled to the medium 102.
The nodes 104-108 are arranged to communicate at least in part via
the medium 102. In one implementation, the system 100 is a
multicarrier arrangement or system. In various alternate
implementations, the system 100 based on the communication network
medium 102 comprises a single communication channel and the nodes
104-108 represent discrete homogeneous networks communicatively
coupled to the single communication channel.
[0015] The medium 102 may be comprised of a trunk or feeder 110 and
one or more branches 112. In one example, the system 100 is a power
line communication (PLC) system. In that case, the trunk 110 and
branches 112 are electrical power distribution conductors (e.g.,
power lines) arranged to distribute electric power to one or more
end user locations (e.g., within residences, commercial or
professional suites, industrial sites, etc.). In the example, nodes
104-108 are coupled to the electric power lines and arranged to
communicate at least in part via the electrical power lines. While
the disclosure, including the figures and the discussion herein,
discuss the techniques and devices disclosed in terms of a PLC
system, the techniques and devices may be used for minimizing or
eliminating neighbor network interference on other types of
networks (e.g., wired and/or wireless, optical, etc.) without
departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the medium
102 may be realized as a wireless communication medium, a wire line
communication medium (e.g., coaxial cable, twisted pair of copper
wires, power line wiring, optical fiber, etc.), or as combinations
thereof.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, nodes 104-108 may be coupled to the
medium 102 via one or more power outlets 114. For example, a node
(104-108) may be "plugged in" to a wall socket (power outlet 114).
Alternately, nodes 104-108 may be hardwired to the medium 102, or
may be coupled in another manner allowing communication via the
medium 102 (e.g., inductive coupling, optical coupling, wireless
coupling, etc.).
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, nodes 104-108 may also have connection
to and/or from user devices, service resources, and the like. For
example, a node (104-108) may be communicatively coupled to a user
communications device, an automation console, a surveillance hub, a
power usage monitoring and/or control interface, a service provider
feed, a utility connection, and so forth. In one implementation,
one or more of the nodes 104-108 is a controller node 106 (e.g.,
base station, master node, etc.) arranged to control communication
of information with regard to the network. For example, a
controller node 106 may receive an entertainment feed from a
service provider, and distribute content to other nodes on the
network (such as nodes 104 and 108) as well as optionally provide
for content consumption at the controller node 106 itself. In one
case, the controller node 106 may control the type of content that
is distributed to the other nodes 104 and 108, control the
bandwidth used by the other nodes 104 and 108, and/or provide other
control functions.
[0018] In one implementation, one or more of the nodes 104-108 may
include a multicarrier apparatus, transmitter, receiver,
transceiver, modem, or the like, (generically referred to herein as
a "transceiver 116") for communication via the network.
Accordingly, the nodes 104-108 may include structure and
functionality that enable signal communication over the medium 102.
Such structure and functionality may include one or more antennas,
integrated wire line interfaces, and the like. Depending on the
implementation, the nodes 104-108 may communicate with one another
directly (peer-to-peer mode) or the nodes 104-108 may communicate
via the controller node 106. In one implementation, the nodes
104-108 are Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)
apparatuses capable of implementing the herein described
implementations. For example, the nodes 104-108 may include a
transceiver and/or a controller, as is discussed below.
[0019] In one implementation, system 100 may be a home network and
one or more of the nodes 104-108 may be an access point of the home
network. For example, in the implementation the controller node 106
may be a residential gateway that distributes broadband services to
the other nodes (e.g., nodes 104 and 108). The nodes 104-108 may be
associated with digital content destinations in the home, but may
also be associated with digital content sources, such as digital
video recorders (DVR), computers providing streaming video,
televisions, entertainment centers, and the like.
[0020] Furthermore, the nodes 104-108 may be enabled to communicate
using packet-based technology (e.g., ITU G.hn, HomePNA,
HomePlug.RTM. AV and Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA)) and xDSL
technology). Such xDSL technology may include Asymmetric Digital
Subscriber Line (ADSL), ADSL2, ADSL2+, Very high speed DSL (VDSL),
VDSL2, G.Lite, and High bit rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL). In
addition, the nodes 104-108 may be enabled to communicate using
IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) wireless technologies.
[0021] In the example of FIG. 1, each of the nodes is shown having
a transceiver 116. An example transceiver 116 is illustrated in
FIG. 2. The transceiver 116 may include a transmitter portion 202
and/or a receiver portion 204, where one or both of the portions
may include a controller 206 and/or memory 208. In various
implementations, a single controller 206 may be shared by the
transmitter 202 and the receiver 204. Likewise, in some
implementations, a single memory 208 may be shared by the
transmitter 202 and the receiver 204, or alternately the memory 208
may be comprised of multiple memory devices distributed in one or
more of the transceiver 116, the transmitter 202, and the receiver
204.
[0022] As used herein, the term "controller 206" is meant generally
to include all types of digital processing devices including,
without limitation, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced
instruction set computers (RISC), general-purpose (CISC)
processors, microprocessors, gate arrays (e.g., FPGAs),
programmable logic devices (PLDs), reconfigurable compute fabrics
(RCFs), array processors, secure microprocessors, and
application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Such digital
processors may be contained on a single unitary IC die, or
distributed across multiple components. If included, the controller
206 may direct the flow of information through the transceiver 116,
may provide timing to the components of the transceiver 116, may
determine MAC cycle synchronization or alignment as discussed
below, and the like.
[0023] If included, the memory 208 may store executable
instructions, software, firmware, operating systems, applications,
preselected values and constants, and the like, to be executed or
used by the controller 206, for example. In various
implementations, the memory 208 may include computer-readable
media. Computer-readable media may include, for example, computer
storage media. Computer storage media, such as memory 208, includes
volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media
implemented in any method or technology for storage of information
such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program
modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not
limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory
technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical
storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission
medium that can be used to store information for access by a
computing device (such as the controller 206). Although the
computer storage media (memory 208) is shown within the transceiver
116 it will be appreciated that the memory 208 may be distributed
or located remotely and accessed via a network or other
communication link.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, an example transmitter 202 may include
an encoder 210, a modulator 212, a filter 216, and an interface
214. In alternate implementations, a transmitter 202 may include
fewer components, alternate components, or additional components
and remain within the scope of the disclosure.
[0025] In an implementation, signals exchanged between the nodes
104-108 may include multicarrier symbols that each includes a
plurality of tones or sub-channels. Each of the tones within a
multicarrier symbol may have data bits modulated thereon that are
intended for delivery from one of the nodes 104-108 to another. In
an implementation, the transmitter 202 is arranged to modulate the
data bits onto the tones and transmit the signals including the
tones via the medium 102.
[0026] If included, the encoder 210 is arranged to receive data
(e.g., from a user device) for communication to a receiving device
coupled to the transceiver 116 via a wireless or wire line medium
102. More specifically, the encoder 210 is arranged to translate
incoming data bit streams into in-phase and quadrature components
for the plurality of tones. The encoder 210 may be arranged to
output a number of symbol sequences that are equal to the number of
tones available to the system 100.
[0027] If included, the modulator 212 is arranged to receive symbol
sequences (e.g., from the encoder 210) to produce a modulated
signal in the form of a discrete multi-tone signal. The modulator
may pass the modulated signal to the filter 214 (if the filter is
included) to undergo various filtering. In one implementation, the
filtered signal is passed to the interface 216 for communication
over the medium 102 to a receiving device. For example, the
interface 216 may facilitate communication of the modulated signal
to a network resource such as an automation control center, a
surveillance hub, and the like.
[0028] In various implementations, the transceiver 116 may also
include a receiver 204 that is capable of receiving modulated
multi-tone signals communicated over the medium 102 from a
transmitting device. As shown in FIG. 2, an example receiver 204
may include an interface 218, a filter 220, a demodulator 222, and
a decoder 224. In alternate implementations, a receiver 204 may
include fewer components, alternate components, or additional
components and remain within the scope of the disclosure.
[0029] In one implementation, signals received by the receiver 204
may be passed to the filter 220 via the interface 218. The
interface 218 may facilitate communication with a network resource,
for example. After received signals undergo filtering by way of the
filter 220 (if included), the filtered signals may be demodulated
by the demodulator 222. The demodulated signals may be passed to
and processed by the decoder 224.
[0030] If included, the decoder 224 produces data bit streams for
consumption by a computing device, or the like. Effectively, the
demodulator 222 and the decoder 224 perform the opposite functions
of the modulator 212 and the encoder 210, respectively.
[0031] In various implementations, one or more of the controller
206, encoder 210, decoder 224, modulator 212, demodulator 222,
interface 216 and/or 218, filter 214 and/or 220, as well other
components, may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or
the like, or in combinations thereof.
[0032] Exemplary implementations discussed herein may have various
components collocated; however, it is to be appreciated that the
various components of the system 100 may be located at distant
portions of a distributed network, such as a communications network
and/or the Internet, or within a dedicated secure, unsecured and/or
encrypted arrangement. Thus, it should be appreciated that the
components of the system 100 may be combined into one or more
apparatuses, such as a modem, or collocated on a particular node of
a distributed network, such as a telecommunications network.
Moreover, it should be understood that the components of the
described system 100 may be arranged at any location within a
distributed network without affecting the operation of the system
100. For example, the various components can be located in a
Central Office modem (CO, ATU-C, VTU-O), a Customer Premises modem
(CPE, ATU-R, VTU-R), an xDSL management device, or some combination
thereof. Similarly, one or more functional portions of the system
100 may be distributed between a modem and an associated computing
device.
Example Power Boost Operations
[0033] Successful communications in communication networks (e.g.,
ITU-T G.9960/G.9961, IEEE 1901 FFT, IEEE 1901 Wavelet, etc.) using
a communication medium (such as medium 102, for example) generally
requires the detection of communicated packets of information.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a schematic of an example communication 300,
according to an implementation. In the implementation, a node
104-108 or a neighbor node or network may periodically transmit a
communication 300 as part of its operation, to inform other nodes
or networks, among other things, of the node's timing information
and/or synchronization. For example, a controller 206 at a node
104-108 may execute instructions stored in a memory 208 at the node
104-108 to generate and/or transmit the communication 300 via the
medium 102. In one implementation, the communication 300 is a
mobile applications protocol (MAP) physical layer (PHY) frame
communication. Similarly, a controller 206 at a node 104-108 may
execute instructions stored in a memory 208 at the node 104-108 to
receive and/or decode the communication 300 transmitted on the
medium 102.
[0035] In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 3, the communication
300 includes a preamble/header portion 302 and a body portion 304.
Although the preamble/header portion 302 is shown as being
contiguous, it is also contemplated that the preamble and header
may be two separate and distinct elements of the communication 300.
The preamble/header portion 302 serves at least to alert all nodes
to receive the communication 300 that the communication 300 is
arriving on the medium 102. The preamble/header portion 302 may
include a known sequence of 1's and 0's that allows time for one or
more of the nodes 104-108 to detect the communication 300 and enter
a state to receive data. The preamble/header portion 302 may also
convey the length (in psec) of the body portion 304, or the length
individual payload sections of the body portion 304.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the preamble/header portion 302
may be defined by S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols. A plurality of
the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used for packet
detection, timing estimation and frame synchronization, another one
or more of the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may
be used to convey the length of the body portion 304, and another
one or more of the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols
may be used to convey auxiliary information.
[0037] In one implementation, the auxiliary information may include
a boost power reference or indicator (e.g., in dB). The boost power
reference indicates to a node 104-108 that symbols of a
communication (e.g., data frame) generated thereby may be boosted
to the boost power reference provided in the auxiliary information
portion of the communication 300 (e.g., a MAP PHY frame/broadcast
frame). The plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols that
may be used to convey auxiliary information may also indicate which
portions of a communication (e.g., preamble and header) may be
power boosted using the power boost reference provided in the
communication 300.
[0038] In one implementation, the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 .
. . Sn symbols that may be used to convey auxiliary information may
be used to convey further auxiliary information defining one or
more rules for power boosting particular symbols of a data frame.
For example, the one or more rules may indicate that one or more
symbols associated with a payload may be power boosted to the
provided power boost reference. Also, the one or more rules may
indicate that symbols of a preamble/header may be power boosted to
the provided power boost reference if a length of an associated
frame exceeds a given or predetermined length.
[0039] By decoding the communication 300 (e.g., a MAP PHY frame), a
node 104-108 can determine which portions of a communication (e.g.,
preamble and header) may be power boosted according to the
parameter(s) of the power boost reference provided in the
communication 300. Using this information, one or more of the nodes
104-108, when generating a data frame, may power boost one or more
symbols.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic of an example communication 400,
according to an implementation. In one implementation, the
communication 400 includes a preamble/header portion 402 and a body
portion 404. Although the preamble/header portion 402 is shown as
being contiguous, it is also contemplated that the preamble and
header may be two separate and distinct elements of the
communication 400. The preamble/header portion 402 serves at least
to alert all nodes 104-108 to receive the communication 400 that
the communication 400 is arriving on the medium 102. The
preamble/header portion 402 may include a known sequence of 1's and
0's that allows time for the nodes to detect the communication 300
and enter a state to receive data. The preamble/header portion 402
may also convey the length (in psec) of the body portion 404, or
the length individual payload sections of the body portion 404.
[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the preamble/header portion 402
may be defined by S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols. A plurality of
the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used for packet
detection, timing estimation and frame synchronization, another one
or more of the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may
be used to convey the length of the body portion 404, and another
one or more of the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols
may be used to convey auxiliary information. In this example, the
group of symbols S1-S3, shown by reference numeral 408, have been
power boosted. In one implementation, the group of symbols S1-S3
408 is power boosted in accordance with auxiliary information
received in a broadcast message or MAP PHY frame transmitted by a
node (e.g., a master node). The power boosted group of symbols
S1-S3 408 may enable a receiving node to quickly and efficiently
detect the communication 400.
[0042] In alternate implementations, one or more of the above
techniques may be employed concurrently, or another technique may
be used to accomplish the same or similar results. The
implementations herein are described in terms of exemplary
embodiments. However, it should be appreciated that individual
aspects of the implantations may be separately claimed and one or
more of the features of the various embodiments may be
combined.
Representative Processes
[0043] FIG. 5 illustrates a representative process 500 for
generating a communication (e.g., communication 300) at a node
(e.g., nodes 104-108) that includes auxiliary information that
contains power boost information. The described techniques may also
be used with domains, networks, and the like. An example process
500 may be performed on a system 100, for example, where a common
network communication medium 102 is shared. However, other
communication media may also be used with the representative
process 500. In one example, the communication network medium 102
comprises a single communication channel and at least two nodes
(such as one or more of the nodes 104-108) representing discrete
homogeneous networks are communicatively coupled to the single
communication channel. The process 500 is described with reference
to FIGS. 1-4.
[0044] At block 502, a node (such as nodes 104-108) determines that
a broadcast message is to be transmitted. The determination to
transmit a broadcast message may be based on a plurality of
factors. Typical factors may include facilitating discovery,
initiating network maintenance, providing route discovery,
conveying information, etc. In one example, the broadcast message
may be a communication 300. In one implementation, the broadcast
message is a mobile application protocol (MAP) physical layer (PHY)
frame.
[0045] At block 504, the node generates the broadcast message. The
broadcast message includes a preamble/header portion and a body
portion. The preamble/header portion may be defined by S1, S2, S3,
S4 . . . Sn symbols. A plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn
symbols may be used for packet detection, timing estimation and
frame synchronization, another one or more of the plurality of the
S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used to convey the length of
the body portion, and another one or more of the plurality of the
S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used to convey auxiliary
information. In one implementation, the auxiliary information may
include a boost power reference or indicator (e.g., in dB). The
boost power reference indicates to a node that symbols of a
communication (e.g., data frame) generated thereby may be boosted
to the boost power reference provided in the auxiliary information
portion of the broadcast message. The plurality of the S1, S2, S3,
S4 . . . Sn symbols that may be used to convey auxiliary
information may also indicate which portions of a communication
(e.g., preamble and header) may be power boosted using the power
boost reference provided in the broadcast message.
[0046] In one implementation, the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 .
. . Sn symbols that may be used to convey auxiliary information may
be used to convey further auxiliary information defining one or
more rules for power boosting particular symbols of a data frame.
For example, the one or more rules may indicate that one or more
symbols associated with a payload may be power boosted to the
provided power boost reference. Also, the one or more rules may
indicate that symbols of a preamble/header may be power boosted to
the provided power boost reference if a length of an associated
frame exceeds a given or predetermined length.
[0047] At block 506, the broadcast message is transmitted by the
node on the communication medium. In one implementation, the
broadcast message is transmitted on the communication medium for
reception by one or more nodes that are associated with the
communication medium. In another implementation, the broadcast
message is transmitted to one or more particular nodes.
[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates a representative process 600 for
generating a communication (e.g., communication 400) at a node
(e.g., nodes 104-108) that includes one or more symbols power
boosted in accordance with auxiliary information conveyed in a
communication (e.g., communication 300). The described techniques
may also be used with domains, networks, and the like. An example
process 600 may be performed on a system 100, for example, where a
common network communication medium 102 is shared. However, other
communication media may also be used with the representative
process 600. In one example, the communication network medium 102
comprises a single communication channel and at least two nodes
(such as one or more of the nodes 104-108) representing discrete
homogeneous networks are communicatively coupled to the single
communication channel. The process 600 is described with reference
to FIGS. 1-5.
[0049] At block 602, a communication (e.g., communication 300) is
received at a node (e.g., nodes 104-108). The communication
includes a preamble/header portion and a body portion. The
preamble/header portion may be defined by S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn
symbols. A plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be
used for packet detection, timing estimation and frame
synchronization, another one or more of the plurality of the S1,
S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used to convey the length of the
body portion, and another one or more of the plurality of the S1,
S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn symbols may be used to convey auxiliary
information. In one implementation, the auxiliary information
includes a boost power reference or indicator (e.g., in dB). The
boost power reference indicates to a node that symbols of a
communication (e.g., data frame) generated thereby may be boosted
to the boost power reference provided in the auxiliary information
portion of the broadcast message. The plurality of the S1, S2, S3,
S4 . . . Sn symbols that may be used to convey auxiliary
information may also indicate which portions of a communication
(e.g., preamble and/or header) may be power boosted using the power
boost reference provided in the broadcast message.
[0050] In one implementation, the plurality of the S1, S2, S3, S4 .
. . Sn symbols that may be used to convey auxiliary information may
be used to convey further auxiliary information defining one or
more rules for power boosting particular symbols of a data frame.
For example, the one or more rules may indicate that one or more
symbols associated with a payload may be power boosted to the
provided power boost reference. Also, the one or more rules may
indicate that symbols of a preamble/header may be power boosted to
the provided power boost reference if a length of an associated
frame exceeds a given or predetermined length.
[0051] At block 604, the node receiving the communication evaluates
at least the preamble/header portion of the communication to
determine that auxiliary information is associated with one or more
symbols of the preamble/header portion of the communication.
[0052] At block 606, the node receiving the communication generates
a communication (e.g., communication 400) that includes one or more
symbols power boosted in accordance with the auxiliary information
contained in the communication received at block 602. In one
implementation, the generated communication includes one or more
symbols of the preamble power boosted. In another implementation,
the generated communication includes one or more symbols of the
header power boosted. In yet another implementation, the generated
communication includes one or more symbols of the preamble and
header power boosted. In yet another implementation, the node
generates a communication with one or more symbols power boosted
based on one or more rules set forth in the auxiliary information
contained in the communication received at block 602.
[0053] At block 608, the process includes transmitting a
communication (such as communication 400) including one or more
power boosted symbols.
[0054] The order in which the processes 500 and 600 are described
is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of
the described process blocks can be combined in any order to
implement the processes, or alternate processes. Additionally,
individual blocks may be deleted from the processes without
departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described
herein. Furthermore, the processes can be implemented in any
suitable hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof,
without departing from the scope of the subject matter described
herein.
[0055] In alternate implementations, other techniques may be
included in the processes 500 and 600 in various combinations, and
remain within the scope of the disclosure.
[0056] The above-described arrangements, apparatuses and methods
may be implemented in a software module, a software and/or hardware
testing module, a telecommunications test device, a DSL modem, an
ADSL modem, an xDSL modem, a VDSL modem, a linecard, a G.hn
transceiver, a MOCA transceiver, a Homeplug transceiver, a
powerline modem, a wired or wireless modem, test equipment, a
multicarrier transceiver, a wired and/or wireless wide/local area
network system, a satellite communication system, network-based
communication systems, such as an IP, Ethernet or ATM system, a
modem equipped with diagnostic capabilities, or the like, or on a
separate programmed general purpose computer having a
communications device or in conjunction with any of the following
communications protocols: CDSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+, VDSL1, VDSL2, HDSL,
DSL Lite, IDSL, RADSL, SDSL, UDSL, MOCA, G.hn, Homeplug or the
like.
[0057] Additionally, the arrangements, procedures and protocols of
the described implementations may be implemented on a special
purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller
and peripheral integrated circuit element(s), an ASIC or other
integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a flashable device,
a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such as discrete element
circuit, a programmable logic device such as PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, a
modem, a transmitter/receiver, any comparable device, or the like.
In general, any apparatus capable of implementing a state machine
that is in turn capable of implementing the methodology described
and illustrated herein may be used to implement the various
communication methods, protocols and techniques according to the
implementations.
[0058] Furthermore, the disclosed procedures may be readily
implemented in software using object or object-oriented software
development environments that provide portable source code that can
be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms.
Alternatively, the disclosed arrangements may be implemented
partially or fully in hardware using standard logic circuits or
VLSI design. The communication arrangements, procedures and
protocols described and illustrated herein may be readily
implemented in hardware and/or software using any known or later
developed systems or structures, devices and/or software by those
of ordinary skill in the applicable art from the functional
description provided herein and with a general basic knowledge of
the computer and telecommunications arts.
[0059] Moreover, the disclosed procedures may be readily
implemented in software that can be stored on a computer-readable
storage medium (such as memory 208), executed on programmed
general-purpose computer with the cooperation of a controller (such
as controller 206) and memory 208, a special purpose computer, a
microprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the arrangements
and procedures of the described implementations may be implemented
as program embedded on personal computer such as an applet,
JAVA.RTM. or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server or
computer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated
communication arrangement or arrangement component, or the like.
The arrangements may also be implemented by physically
incorporating the arrangements and/or procedures into a software
and/or hardware system, such as the hardware and software systems
of a test/modeling device.
Conclusion
[0060] Although the implementations of the disclosure have been
described in language specific to structural features and/or
methodological acts, it is to be understood that the
implementations are not necessarily limited to the specific
features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts
are disclosed as representative forms of implementing the
invention.
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