Variable state length initialization

• US 6,647,068 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Issued: 11/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Aware Incorporated (Crowley Holdings Preferred LLC)
• Inventors: Tzannes, Marcos C
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lugo, David B.
• Application Number:
  US10/163,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20020186704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 375/219, 375/222, 375/259, 375/260, 375/261
• US Class Current: 375/260
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2601 Multicarrier modulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0044 allocation of payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0053 Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1438 Negotiation of transmission parameters prior to communication modified according to link quality H04L1/0001
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/062 using different frequency bands for speech and other data

Abstract

Through the use of a variable state length initialization, both the transmitter and the receiver can have control of the length of one or more initialization states. For example, a transmitter can send information, such as a message, to the receiver at the commencement of, during initialization or prior to entering a variable length initialization state. The information can specify, for example, a minimum length of an initialization state as needed by the transmitter.

Claims

1. In multicarrier communication system including a first multicarrier transceiver and a second multicarrier transceiver, a method for variable state length initialization comprising:

transmitting from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

transmitting from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

transmitting a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver allowing the first multicarrier transceiver to exit the initialization state and enter a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver after the second multicarrier transceiver receives at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

4. In a multicarrier transceiver, a method for variable state length initialization comprising:

transmitting to a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

transmitting to the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

receiving a predetermined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver allowing exit of the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is received from the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been transmitted in the initialization state.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

7. In a multicarrier transceiver, a method for variable state length initialization comprising:

receiving from a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

receiving from a second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

transmitting to the second multicarrier transceiver a predefined signal allowing exit of the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent to the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been received in the initialization state.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

10. In multicarrier communication system including a first multicarrier transceiver and a second multicarrier transceiver, a method for variable state length initilization comprising:

transmitting from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

transmitting from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

transmitting a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver after the second multicarrier transceiver transmits at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

13. In a multicarrier transceiver, a method for variable state length initialization comprising:

transmitting to a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

receiving from the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

receiving a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is received from the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been transmitted in the initialization state.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

16. In a multicarrier transceiver, a method for variable state length initialization comprising:

receiving from a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

transmitting from a second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

transmitting to the second multicarrier transceiver a predefined signal indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent to the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been received in the initialization state.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

19. A variable state length initialization multicarrier communication system including a first multicarrier transceiver and a second multicarrier transceiver comprising:

means for transmitting from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

means for transmitting from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

means for transmitting a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver allowing the first multicarrier transceiver to exit the initialization state and enter a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver after the second multicarrier transceiver receives at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

22. A variable state length initialization multicarrier transceiver comprising:

means for transmitting to a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

means for transmitting to the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

means for receiving a predetermined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver allowing exit of the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is received from the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been transmitted in the initialization state.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

25. A variable state length initialization multicarrier transceiver comprising:

means for receiving from a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

means for receiving from a second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

means for transmitting to the second multicarrier transceiver a predefined signal allowing exit of the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent to the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been received in the initialization state.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

28. A variable state length initialization multicarrier communication system including a first multicarrier transceiver and a second multicarrier transceiver comprising:

means for transmitting from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

means for transmitting from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

means for transmitting a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver after the second multicarrier transceiver transmits at least the minimum number of multi carrier symbols in the initialization state.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

31. A variable state length initialization multicarrier transceiver comprising:

means for transmitting to a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

means for receiving from the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarner symbols during the initialization state; and

means for receiving a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is received from the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been transmitted in the initialization state.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

34. A variable state length initialization multicarrier transceiver comprising:

means for receiving from a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

means for transmitting to a second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

means for transmitting to the second multicarrier transceiver a predefined signal indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent to the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been received in the initialization state.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

37. A variable state length initialization multicarrier communication system comprising:

a first multicarrier transceiver that transmits information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state and that transmits at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

a second multicarrier transceiver that transmits a predefined signal to the first multicarrier transceiver allowing the first multicarrier transceiver to exit the initialization state and enter a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver after the second multicarrier transceiver receives at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

40. A variable state length initialization multicarrier communication system comprising:

a first transceiver that transmits information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state and at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

a predetermined signal that is received from a second multicarrier transceiver that allows the exit of the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is received from the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been transmitted in the initialization state.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

43. A variable state length initialization multicarrier transceiver comprising:

a receiver portion that receives from a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state and at least the minimum number multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

a transmitter portion that transmits to the second multicarrier transceiver a predefined signal allowing exit of the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent to the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been received in the initialization state.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

46. A variable state length initialization multicarrier communication system including a first multicarrier transceiver and a second multicarrier transceiver comprising:

a transmitter portion that transmits from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state and at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

a second transmitter portion that transmits a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver after the second multicarrier transceiver transmits at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

49. A variable state length initialization multicarrier transceiver comprising:

a transmitter portion that transmits to a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

a receiver portion that receives from the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state and a predefined signal indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is received from the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been transmitted in the initialization state.

50. The system of claim 49, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

51. The system of claim 49, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

52. A variable state length initialization multicarrier transceiver comprising:

a receiver portion that receives from a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

a transmitter portion that transmits to a second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number multicarrier symbols during the initialization state and a predefined signal indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent to the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been received in the initialization state.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

55. An information storage media comprising information for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier communication system including a first multicarrier transceiver and a second multicarrier transceiver comprising:

information that transmits from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

information that transmits from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

information that transmits a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver allowing the first multicarrier transceiver to exit the initialization state and enter a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver after the second multicarrier transceiver receives at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state.

56. The media of claim 55, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

57. The media of claim 55, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

58. An information storage media comprising information for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier transceiver comprising:

information that transmits to a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

information that transmits to the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

information that receives a predetermined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver allowing exit of the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is received from the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been transmitted in the initialization state.

59. The media of claim 58, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

60. The media of claim 58, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

61. An information storage media comprising information for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier transceiver comprising:

information that receives from a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

information that receives from a second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

information that transmits to the second multicarrier transceiver a predefined signal allowing exit of the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent to the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been received in the initialization state.

62. The media of claim 61, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

63. The media of claim 61, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

64. An information storage media comprising information for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier communication system including a first multicarrier transceiver and a second multicarrier transceiver comprising:

information that transmits from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

information that transmits from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

information that transmits a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver after the second multicarrier transceiver transmits at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state.

65. The media of claim 64, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

66. The media of claim 64, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

67. An information storage media comprising information for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier transceiver comprising:

information that transmits to a second multcarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

information that receives from the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

information that receives a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is received from the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been transmitted in the initialization state.

68. The media of claim 67, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

69. The media of claim 67, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

70. An information storage media comprising information for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier transceiver comprising:

information that receives from a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

information that transmits to a second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

information that transmits to the second multicarrier transceiver a predefined signal indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent to the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been received in the initialization state.

71. The media of claim 70, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

72. The media of claim 70, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

73. A communication protocol for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier communication system including a first multicarrier transceiver and a second multicarrier transceiver comprising:

transmitting from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

transmitting from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

transmitting a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver allowing the first multicarrier transceiver to exit the initialization state and enter a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver after the second multicarrier transceiver receives at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state.

74. The protocol of claim 73, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

75. The protocol of claim 73, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

76. A communication protocol for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier transceiver comprising:

transmitting to a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

transmitting to the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

receiving a predetermined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver allowing exit of the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is received from the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been transmitted in the initialization state.

77. The protocol of claim 76, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

78. The protocol of claim 76, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

79. A communications protocol for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier transceiver comprising:

receiving from a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

receiving from a second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

transmitting to the second multicarrier transceiver a predefined signal allowing exit of the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent to the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been received in the initialization state.

80. The protocol of claim 79, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

81. The protocol of claim 79, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

82. A communications protocol for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier communication system including a first multicarrier transceiver and a second multicarrier transceiver comprising:

transmitting from the first multicarrier transceiver to the second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

transmitting from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

transmitting a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent from the second multicarrier transceiver to the first multicarrier transceiver after the second multicarrier transceiver transmits at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state.

83. The protocol of claim 82, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

84. The protocol of claim 82, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

85. A communications protocol for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier transceiver comprising:

transmitting to a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

receiving from the second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

receiving a predefined signal from the second multicarrier transceiver indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is received from the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been transmitted in the initialization state.

86. The protocol of claim 85, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

87. The protocol of claim 85, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.

88. A communications protocol for variable state length initialization in a multicarrier transceiver comprising:

receiving from a second multicarrier transceiver information identifying a value that determines a minimum number of multicarrier symbols in an initialization state;

transmitting from a second multicarrier transceiver at least the minimum number multicarrier symbols during the initialization state; and

transmitting to the second multicarrier transceiver a predefined signal indicating exit from the initialization state and entry into a new initialization state, wherein the predefined signal is sent to the second multicarrier transceiver after at least the minimum number of multicarrier symbols have been received in the initialization state.

89. The protocol of claim 88, wherein the minimum number of multicarrier symbols in the initialization state is less than a predefined maximum number of multicarrier symbols for the initialization state.

90. The protocol of claim 88, wherein the information is at least one of an identifier and a message.