Enhanced channel access mechanisms for an HPNA network
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- on a communications medium adapted to use Home Phoneline Network Association (HPNA) v2 frames, generating at least one enhanced frame comprising a message, each sequential pair of enhanced frames having timing to allow a Shortened Inter-Frame Gap (SIFG), each SIFG having a duration that is not recognized by a HPNA v2 STA as a duration defined by an HPNA v2 protocol specification for an Inter-Frame Gap IFG and permitting each enhanced frame priority over pending HPNA v2 frames, the SIFG comprising a blocking signal adapted to prevent the HPNA v2 STA from recognizing an existence of the SIFG.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and a system provide access to a communications medium that is suitable for allowing use of a plurality of Home Phoneline Network Association (HPNA) v2 frames in a centralized manner. Each HPNA v2 frame is timed to allow an Inter-Frame Gap (IFG) portion having a duration that is substantially a duration defined by an HPNA v2 protocol specification for an IFG portion of an HPNA v2 frame. A plurality of frames are generated in the communications medium with at least one frame of the plurality of frames having timing to allow a Shortened Inter-Frame Gap (SIFG) portion and a contention-free portion. The SIFG portion is less than about 17 μsec in duration. Access to the communications medium is then provided for at least one station (STA) during the contention-free portion of a frame having timing to allow the SIFG portion.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
on a communications medium adapted to use Home Phoneline Network Association (HPNA) v2 frames, generating at least one enhanced frame comprising a message, each sequential pair of enhanced frames having timing to allow a Shortened Inter-Frame Gap (SIFG), each SIFG having a duration that is not recognized by a HPNA v2 STA as a duration defined by an HPNA v2 protocol specification for an Inter-Frame Gap IFG and permitting each enhanced frame priority over pending HPNA v2 frames, the SIFG comprising a blocking signal adapted to prevent the HPNA v2 STA from recognizing an existence of the SIFG. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communications network comprising:
- a Media Control Station (MC STA) adapted to generate, on a communications medium adapted to use Home Phoneline Network Association (HPNA) v2 frames, at least one enhanced frame comprising a message, each sequential pair of enhanced frames having timing to allow a Shortened Inter-Frame Gap (SIFG), each SIFG having a duration that is not recognized by a HPNA v2 STA as a duration defined by an HPNA v2 protocol specification for an Inter-Frame Gap IFG and permitting each enhanced frame priority over pending HPNA v2 frames, the SIFG comprising a blocking signal adapted to prevent the HPNA v2 STA from recognizing an existence of the SIFG.
- View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
Specification