Maintaining synchronization between frame control word and data frame pairs in a home network
First Claim
1. A method for maintaining synchronization in a home network that includes a host Ethernet media controller and an HPNA chip, where control frame and data frame pairs are transferred between the host Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and the HPNA chip, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) sending a null frame from the host Ethernet MAC to the HPNA chip prior to the data frame; and
(b) recognizing the null frame on the HPNA chip as an indication that a next received frame will be the data frame, thereby maintaining synchronization between the control frame and the data frame pairs.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for maintaining synchronization in a home network is disclosed. The home network includes a host ethernet media access controller and an HPNA chip, where control frame and data frame pairs are transferred between the host ethernet media access controller (MAC) and the HPNA chip. The method and system include sending a null frame from the host ethernet MAC to the HPNA chip prior to the data frame, and recognizing the null frame on the HPNA chip as an indication that a next received frame will be the data frame, thereby maintaining synchronization between the control frame and the data frame pairs.
62 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for maintaining synchronization in a home network that includes a host Ethernet media controller and an HPNA chip, where control frame and data frame pairs are transferred between the host Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and the HPNA chip, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) sending a null frame from the host Ethernet MAC to the HPNA chip prior to the data frame; and (b) recognizing the null frame on the HPNA chip as an indication that a next received frame will be the data frame, thereby maintaining synchronization between the control frame and the data frame pairs.
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2. A method for maintaining synchronization in a home network that includes a host Ethernet media controller and an HPNA chip, where control frame and data frame pairs are transferred between the host Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and the HPNA chip, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) sending a null frame from the host Ethernet MAC to the HPNA chip prior to the data frame; and (b) recognizing the null frame on the HPNA chip as an indication that a next received frame will be the data frame, thereby maintaining synchronization between the control frame and the data frame pairs; wherein the null frame includes a source address field and an Ethernet type field, step (a) further including the step of providing an invalid address in the source address field and the Ethernet type field. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for maintaining synchronization in a home network that includes a host Ethernet media access controller and an HPNA chip, wherein control frame and data frame pairs are transferred between the host Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and the HPNA chip, the system comprising:
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(a) means for sending a null frame from the host Ethernet MAC to the HPNA chip prior to the data frame; and (b) means for recognizing the null frame on the HPNA chip as an indication that a next received frame will be the data frame, thereby maintaining synchronization between the control frame and the data frame pairs.
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9. A system for maintaining synchronization in a home network that includes a host Ethernet media access controller and an HPNA chip, wherein control frame and data frame pairs are transferred between the host Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and the HPNA chip, the system comprising:
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(a) means for sending a null frame from the host Ethernet MAC to the HPNA chip prior to the data frame; and (b) means for recognizing the null frame on the HPNA chip as an indication that a next received frame will be the data frame, thereby maintaining synchronization between the control frame and the data frame pairs; wherein the null frame includes a source address field and an Ethernet type field that contains an invalid address. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for maintaining synchronization in a home network that includes a host Ethernet media access controller program and media interface of an HPNA chip, where control frame and data frame pairs are transferred between the host Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and the HPNA chip, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) sending a null frame having a source address field and an Ethernet type field from the host Ethernet MAC to the media interface prior to the data frame, wherein the source address field and the Ethernet type field in the null frame include all zeros; and (b) in response to receiving the null frame by the media interface, recognizing the zeros in the source address field and the Ethernet type field as an indication that a next received frame will be the data frame, thereby maintaining synchronization between the control frame and the data frame pairs. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A home network, comprising:
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a host Ethernet media access controller (MAC); an HPNA chip having a media interface in communication with the host Ethernet MAC; and control frame and data frame pairs transferred between the host Ethernet MAC and the HPNA chip, wherein the control frame includes a source address field and an Ethernet type field, wherein synchronicity is maintained between the control frame and data frame pairs by placing an invalid address in the source address field and the Ethernet type field of the control frame, such that the invalid address indicates to a receiver of the control frame that a next received frame will be the data frame. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification