WO2008063656A2 - Network repeater - Google Patents

Network repeater Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008063656A2
WO2008063656A2 PCT/US2007/024309 US2007024309W WO2008063656A2 WO 2008063656 A2 WO2008063656 A2 WO 2008063656A2 US 2007024309 W US2007024309 W US 2007024309W WO 2008063656 A2 WO2008063656 A2 WO 2008063656A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data packet
characteristic
repeater
packet
registry
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/024309
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2008063656A3 (en
Inventor
Veronica Romero
David Ruiz
Original Assignee
Gigle Semiconductor Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gigle Semiconductor Inc. filed Critical Gigle Semiconductor Inc.
Priority to EP07862182.8A priority Critical patent/EP2106645B1/en
Publication of WO2008063656A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008063656A2/en
Publication of WO2008063656A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008063656A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04BTRANSMISSION
    • H04B3/00Line transmission systems
    • H04B3/54Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
    • H04B3/58Repeater circuits
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/46Interconnection of networks

Definitions

  • the invention is in the field of communications and more specifically in the field of signal repeaters.
  • Related Art is in the field of communications and more specifically in the field of signal repeaters.
  • repeaters are difficult to use when a signal is broadcast in networks that are not linearly structured. For example, if a network is in the form of a mesh or a ring, a repeater may itself receive a signal that it previously sent. This signal may thus be repeated indefinitely. In mesh networks including more than one repeater, copies of a signal may multiply when each signal sent by one repeater is received and rebroadcast by more than one repeater. This multiplication is referred to as a broadcast storm and may overwhelm a network.
  • Some systems have tried to avoid broadcast storms by ensuring that the network does not contain any loops.
  • these networks use a unicast or multicast algorithm such as the Spanning Tree Algorithm to transmit the signal to each of the nodes.
  • a unicast channel a packet is transmitted to a particular destination, and other nodes in the vicinity do not decode the packet.
  • this approach prevents the use of a broadcast channel in a network, and, therefore, may not be practical under some network standards.
  • Powerline communication networks are one example of mesh networks in which a broadcast storm could occur if repeaters were used. There is, therefore, a need for improved methods of avoiding broadcast storms, particularly in powerline communication networks.
  • a network repeater is configured to repeat data packets without generating a significant broadcast storm.
  • the network repeater repeats all received traffic. This repetition may be in a broadcast channel or a unicast channel.
  • the network repeater only broadcasts packets received from the broadcast channel.
  • the network repeater is configured to detect a characteristic of a received data packet. The detected characteristic is then compared to valid copies of packet characteristics previously stored in a packet registry. During a limited period, if a valid copy of the detected characteristic is found in the packet registry, then it is assumed that the packet is being received for the second time and the data packet is not repeated in the broadcast mode. If a valid copy of the detected characteristic of the data packet is not found in the packet registry, then the characteristic is stored in the packet registry and the data packet is repeated in a broadcast mode.
  • the network repeater can distinguish data packets that are received more than once during a particular period of time from those which are received only once. Those packets that are received more than once are not forwarded in a broadcast mode. This prevents the progression of a broadcast storm.
  • the network repeater is optionally configured to operate on powerline networks, including those structured in a mesh architecture. As such, the network repeater may be configured to both send and receive broadcast data packets through a power receptacle. Network nodes and other repeaters connected to the powerline, within transmission range, will receive data packets broadcast by the network repeater.
  • the network repeater is optionally configured to operate within one or more powerline communication standards.
  • Various embodiments of the invention include a repeater for powerline communications, a communication network comprising a repeater, a repeater for Ethernet communications, and a method for determining whether to repeat a received data packet.
  • the network adapter is optionally configured to operate according to IEEE 802.3 communication standards.
  • Various embodiments include a repeater comprising an input/output configured to receive and transmit data packets over a powerline, a packet registry configured to store a valid copy of a characteristic a preceding data packet, a registry manager configured to maintain the valid copy of the characteristic the preceding data packet, logic configured to detect a characteristic of a received data packet, to determine whether the valid copy of the characteristic of the preceding data packet stored in the packet registry matches the characteristic of the received data packet, and to not repeat the received data packet if the valid copy of the characteristic of the preceding data packets matches the characteristic of the received data packet, and a circuit configured to execute the logic.
  • Various embodiments include a communication network comprising a plurality of nodes configured to communicate data packets over a powerline, and at least one repeater configured to receive a first data packet over the powerline and to repeat the first data packet over the powerline.
  • Various embodiments include a repeater comprising an input/output configured to receive a data packet using an IEEE 802.3 standard, a packet registry configured to store a valid copy of a characteristic of a preceding data packet, a registry manager configured to maintain the valid copy in the packet registry, logic configured to detect the characteristic of a received data packet, to determine if the valid copy stored in the packet registry matches the characteristic of the received data packet, and to not repeat the received data packet if the valid copy matches the characteristic of the received data packet, and a circuit configured to execute the logic.
  • Various embodiments include a method comprising receiving a data packet over a powerline, detecting a characteristic of the received data packet, searching a packet registry for a valid copy of the detected characteristic, if the valid copy of the detected characteristic is not found in the packet registry, repeating the received data packet, and establishing the valid copy of the detected characteristic in the packet registry.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates various embodiments of a network including one or more repeaters
  • FIG. 2 illustrates various embodiments of a repeater
  • FIG. 3 illustrates various embodiments of a method of repeating a message.
  • a network includes one or more repeaters configured to operate in a unicast and/or a broadcast mode. Broadcast storms are substantially avoided by using repeaters configured to track whether a data packet is received more than once during a limited time period. Data packets, or other signals, received more than once are not repeated in the broadcast mode. The receipt of a data packet is registered by detecting and storing a valid copy of a characteristic of the data packet at the repeater. This characteristic may include, for example, a source MAC (Media Access Control) address, a checksum, a packet length (e.g., size in bytes), a tag added by logic associated with a repeater, CRC bytes, random bytes within the broadcast frame, and/or the like.
  • a source MAC Media Access Control
  • the repeater may add a tag or other label to the data packet.
  • the valid copy of the data packet characteristic is stored in a packet registry for a time that is long enough to detect a repeated transmission of a particular packet by one or more repeaters, but short enough to avoid disruption of packets that are legitimately rebroadcast from their source.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates various embodiments of a network, generally designated 100, and including one or more repeaters 110.
  • Network 100 is optionally a powerline network.
  • a powerline network is discussed herein for the purposes of example, various embodiments may be adapted to other types of networks such as Ethernet networks (IEEE 802.3), hybrid networks, wireless (WIFI) networks, and/or the like.
  • a powerline network is a network in which data is communicated over the same electrical conductors as electrical power.
  • a powerline network optionally comprises a broadcast channel.
  • Network 100 optionally includes a hybrid network, e.g., a network that comprises variety of transmission types such as a powerline network and a wireless network.
  • Network 100 further includes one or more nodes 120, and a powerline 130 or other communications channel.
  • Powerline 130 may comprise a residential powerline.
  • Nodes 120 are typically connected to powerline 130 through a receptacle (e.g., power outlet configured to receive a plug).
  • the nodes 120 may be included in or connected to network compatible devices.
  • one of the nodes 120 may be included in a stereo receiver 140, one of the nodes 120 may be disposed between powerline 130 and a compact disk player 150, one of the nodes 120 may be disposed between powerline 130 and a server 160, and one of the nodes 120 may be included in a wireless router 170.
  • Communication between some of the nodes 120 may require that packets be repeated (e.g., relayed) using at least one repeater 110.
  • This repetition may be in either broadcast or unicast modes.
  • a communication sent between compact disk player 150 and stereo receiver 140 may be forwarded using two repeaters 110.
  • a first repeater 110 is configured to receive a data packet and repeat the data packet to one or more nodes 120 and/or one or more other repeaters 110.
  • the second repeater 110 may receive the data packet from the first repeater 110 and again repeat the data packet.
  • the data packet repeated by the second repeater 110 may be received by the first repeater 110. In the prior art, this may result in a loop in which the data packet is indefinitely repeated.
  • the network 100 may comprise a hybrid network that includes powerline communications and at least one other type of communications such as Ethernet, WIFI, and/or the like.
  • a signal may be conveyed using several different types of communications. These communications types may be coupled to each other using a network device, such as wireless router 170, a node 120 or a repeater 110, configured to use one or more of these communication types.
  • wireless router 170 may be configured to communicate via powerline communications and over a WiFi network.
  • the powerline network may act as a bridge between Ethernet networks. If a broadcast packet is received from the Ethernet network, the powerline network broadcasts the packet via a broadcast channel or unicasts the packet to the nodes on the powerline network.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates various embodiments of repeater 110.
  • the repeater 110 may comprise an input/output 210, a packet registry 220, a registry manager 230, and logic 240. These components may be embodied in hardware, firmware and/or software stored on a computer readable medium.
  • logic 240 includes computing instruction and digital circuits such as a processor, a data bus, data registers, instruction execution circuits, and/or the like.
  • Repeater 110 may be a stand alone device, part of an interface (e.g., an audio device to powerline network interface, or a Ethernet to powerline network interface), part of a personal computer, part of a portable computing device, part of a server, and/or the like.
  • the input/output 210 comprises a communication interface for receiving and transmitting signals over a network such as network 100. These signals typically comprise data packets.
  • the input/output 210 may comprise a network card, an 802.3 Ethernet interface, a powerline communication interface, a WIFI transceiver, or the like.
  • the input/output 210 may comprise a bridging filter for communicating over hybrid networks.
  • a bridging filter comprises a high pass filter configured to separate frequencies at which power is transmitted in a power line from higher frequencies, at which data is transmitted. The separated frequencies including data may then be processed and the data conveyed over an alternative type of communications network.
  • the input/output interface 210 may comprise more than one communication interface to enable communication over more than one type of network.
  • the repeater 110 may be able to receive a data packet via an Ethernet connection and repeat the data packet over a powerline communication network.
  • the packet registry 220 comprises a database that stores valid copies of data packet characteristics.
  • the valid copies are stored data packet characteristics that are used to determine whether a received data packet has been previously received by the input/output.
  • the packet registry 220 may comprise a volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM), a volatile memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a static memory, and/or the like.
  • the registry manager 230 maintains the valid copies of the data packet characteristic stored in the packet registry. Various embodiments may use different approaches to maintaining these valid copies. For example, in some embodiments it is assumed that any copy of a characteristic within the packet registry 220 is valid. In these embodiments the registry manager 230 is configured to remove the record after an appropriate delay time. In some embodiments, the registry manager 230 is configured to store characteristics within the packet registry 220 in association with a flag configured to indicate validity of the characteristics. In these embodiments, the registry manager 230 is configured to change the flag to indicate that the characteristic is not longer valid after the delay time. In some embodiments, the registry manager 230 is configured to store characteristics within the packet registry 220 in association with a time value.
  • the registry manager 230 may be configured to determine the validity of a characteristic by comparing the stored time value with a current time. The time value and the current time are optionally obtained from a timer 250. There are other approaches by which the registry manager 230 may maintain the valid copies of characteristics in the packet registry 220. The registry manager 230 is optionally configured to maintain the valid copies using a first in, first out (FIFO) list.
  • FIFO first in, first out
  • the timer 250 is configured to determine a time for storage with a characteristic of a data packet, to determine a current time, and/or to determine a relative time.
  • the timer 250 may further be configured for measuring a delay time between when a characteristic is stored in the packet registry 220 and when that characteristic should no longer be considered valid.
  • the delay time may be a predetermined time period. This predetermined time period may be less than or equal to one hundred milliseconds, 150 milliseconds, 200 milliseconds, 300 milliseconds, 500 milliseconds, or one second.
  • the delay time is selected such that it is less than a retry or retransmission time associated with one or more nodes on the network.
  • Selecting the delay time to be less than the retry or retransmission time means that a valid characteristic of a packet will no longer be stored in the packet registry 220 by the time a retry or retransmission (from the source) of the packet is attempted.
  • a delay time that is less then the retry or retransmission time may help in avoiding dropping legitimate data packets that were resent because the packets were corrupted or not received at a destination node. For example, in some nodes, the retry time is one second or longer.
  • the delay time may alternatively be dynamic.
  • the delay time may be set initially to a default time and subsequently adjusted according to network latency or an amount of total traffic on the network. For example, if there is high network latency, the delay time may be increased to compensate for messages taking a longer amount of time to travel within the network. Further, the delay time may decrease if there is a small amount of total network traffic.
  • Other aspects that may be considered in adjusting the delay time include a number of dropped data packets (e.g., packets which have not been repeated), the results of leaky integration or other filter, the number of data packets that have been received, the number of data packets for which a valid characteristic is found, and/or the like.
  • repeater 110 is configured to test the latency of network 100 by sending out a test data packet and measuring the time before the repeater 110 receives a repeated copy of the test data packet. The delay time may then be set at a value greater than this measured time.
  • the registry manager 230 is configured to maintain the packet registry 220 by performing invalidating operations on the packet registry 220 after the delay time has passed.
  • the registry manager 230 may be configured to write the valid copy to the packet registry 220, wait a period of time substantially equal to the delay time, and delete, overwrite and/or otherwise modify the characteristic entry such that a valid copy is no longer present.
  • no time value need be stored with the valid copy.
  • a time may be stored along with the copy of the characteristic. The time may correspond to the time at which the copy of the characteristic was stored, or the time at which the copy is to be deleted or otherwise invalidated.
  • the registry manager 230 may compare a current time to the stored time to determine whether to delete characteristic copies, overwrite characteristic copies, and/or modify an entry indicating the validity of the copy.
  • One skilled in the art will realize further methods for maintaining the packet registry 220 using the registry manager 230 after learning of those methods described herein.
  • the logic 240 is configured to detect a data packet characteristic associated with a received data packet. For example, when a data packet is received by the logic 240, the logic 240 examines that data packet to determine one or more characteristic of the data packet. The characteristic may be a value stored within the data packet, such as a MAC address, or a measured value, such as a measure length of the data packet. The logic 240 is further configured to determine whether a valid copy of the determined data packet characteristic(s) is currently stored in the packet registry 220. If a valid copy of the data packet characteristic is currently stored in the packet registry 220, it is assumed that the data packet was previously received by the repeater 110 within too short a time period, and the repeater 110 does not repeat the data packet. By not resending a data packets that are received more than once within the delay time, the probability of indefinite repetition of a packet or a broadcast storm is significantly reduced.
  • the logic 240 is configured to repeat the received packet using the input/output 210 if a valid copy of the data packet characteristic is not currently stored in the packet registry 220. This repetition is optionally performed in a broadcast mode. Further, if the logic 240 determines that no valid copy of the data packet characteristic currently exists in the packet registry 220, the logic 240 is configured to establish a valid copy of the characteristic within the packet registry 220. By establishing the valid copy of the characteristic, the data packet will be prevented from being repeated again if the data packet if it is again received by repeater 110 within the delay time.
  • the logic 240 is configured to add a tag to the received data packet before repeating the data packet.
  • This tag is optionally added outside the checksum characteristic determined by the repeater 110.
  • the added tag may include a token or parameter indicating the current number of times the packet has been repeated. If this number is beyond a predetermined threshold in the received broadcast packet, the packet is discarded and no longer repeated. If not, the number of repetitions is incremented and the logic 240 broadcasts the received data packet. This method limits the number of times that a data packet can be broadcast by the repeaters 110.
  • the logic 240 is configured to detect a broadcast storm if more than a threshold number of data packets are not repeated within a specified period of time because valid matching characteristics were found within the packet registry 220. In the event of a broadcast storm, the logic 240 is optionally configured to stop repeating all data packets for a specified period of time. The logic 240 may further instruct the registry manager 230 to invalidate or clear the contents of the packet registry 220 after this period.
  • FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a process, generally designated 300, for repeating a data packet using a repeater 110 according to various embodiments.
  • the data packet may be part of a message comprising a plurality of data packets.
  • the process 300 may be performed on embodiments of network 100, including a hybrid network, a power line communications network, an Ethernet, a WIFI network, and/or the like.
  • the process 300 may be used by a repeater 110 to prevent broadcast storms.
  • Process 300 may be used to repeat messages that are unicast, multicast or broadcast.
  • a step 310 comprises receiving a packet using the input/output 210 of a repeater 110.
  • the packet may be received via a powerline communications network, an Ethernet, or a WIFI network depending on the communication interfaces associated with input/output 210.
  • a step 320 comprises detecting one or more characteristics associated with the data packet.
  • the characteristics may comprise cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bytes, a checksum, a source MAC address, a packet length, random bytes within the received packet frame, and/or the like.
  • CRC cyclic redundancy check
  • a step 330 comprises searching the packet registry 220 for the one or more valid copies matching the one or more characteristic associated with the received data packet and detected in step 320.
  • the valid copies typically comprise characteristics associated with data packets that have been received within a delay time.
  • a step 340 comprises determining whether a valid copy is currently stored in the packet registry 220. If a valid copy is found, the packet is dropped in a step 350 and not repeated. The data packet may be dropped to prevent a broadcast storm from occurring within a loop or mesh in the network 100.
  • the copy of the one or more characteristic in the packet registry 220 is refreshed after the data packet is dropped. As such, the one or more characteristic will remain valid for at least the delay time after refreshing.
  • Step 360 includes storing one or more characteristic of the data packet in the packet registry 220.
  • a step 370 the data packet is repeated, optionally via a broadcast channel in the network 100.
  • the packet registry 220 is refreshed. Refreshing the packet registry 220 may include updating the validation time associated with the valid copies of a data packet that was dropped in step 350, invalidating data packets that have been valid in the Packet Registry 220 for more than the delay time, eliminating expired or corrupted copies of characteristics, and or the like.
  • the wireline may comprise a powerline.
  • the systems and methods disclosed herein may additionally implemented in a mesh network where the network topology is known and the topology may be further used to direct a data packet through unicast channels to a destination. Examples discussed herein with reference to unicast may also apply to the use of multicast.
  • Logic discussed herein may be embodied in hardware, firmware, and/or software stored in a computer readable medium.

Abstract

A network repeater is configured to repeat data packets in a broadcast mode without generating a significant broadcast storm. The network repeater is configured to detect a characteristic of a received data packet. The data packet characteristic is compared with valid copies of packet characteristics previously stored in a packet registry. During a delay period, if a valid copy of the detected characteristic is found in the packet registry, then it is assumed that the packet is being received for the second time and the data packet is not repeated in the broadcast mode. If a valid copy of the detected characteristic of the data packet is not found in the packet registry, then the characteristic is stored in the packet registry and the data packet is repeated in a broadcast mode.

Description

NETWORK REPEATER
BACKGROUND Field of the Invention
[0001] The invention is in the field of communications and more specifically in the field of signal repeaters. Related Art
[0002] When signals are communicated over distances greater than the communication range of a single transmitter, the signal must often be relayed before being received at its intended destination. This strengthening may be performed by a repeater that receives the signal and promptly resends an amplified copy of the signal.
[0003] One problem with repeaters is that they are difficult to use when a signal is broadcast in networks that are not linearly structured. For example, if a network is in the form of a mesh or a ring, a repeater may itself receive a signal that it previously sent. This signal may thus be repeated indefinitely. In mesh networks including more than one repeater, copies of a signal may multiply when each signal sent by one repeater is received and rebroadcast by more than one repeater. This multiplication is referred to as a broadcast storm and may overwhelm a network.
[0004] Some systems have tried to avoid broadcast storms by ensuring that the network does not contain any loops. As such, these networks use a unicast or multicast algorithm such as the Spanning Tree Algorithm to transmit the signal to each of the nodes. In a unicast channel, a packet is transmitted to a particular destination, and other nodes in the vicinity do not decode the packet. However, this approach prevents the use of a broadcast channel in a network, and, therefore, may not be practical under some network standards.
[0005] Powerline communication networks are one example of mesh networks in which a broadcast storm could occur if repeaters were used. There is, therefore, a need for improved methods of avoiding broadcast storms, particularly in powerline communication networks.
SUMMARY
[0006] A network repeater is configured to repeat data packets without generating a significant broadcast storm. In general, the network repeater repeats all received traffic. This repetition may be in a broadcast channel or a unicast channel. In some embodiments, the network repeater only broadcasts packets received from the broadcast channel. The network repeater is configured to detect a characteristic of a received data packet. The detected characteristic is then compared to valid copies of packet characteristics previously stored in a packet registry. During a limited period, if a valid copy of the detected characteristic is found in the packet registry, then it is assumed that the packet is being received for the second time and the data packet is not repeated in the broadcast mode. If a valid copy of the detected characteristic of the data packet is not found in the packet registry, then the characteristic is stored in the packet registry and the data packet is repeated in a broadcast mode.
[0007] Through this approach, the network repeater can distinguish data packets that are received more than once during a particular period of time from those which are received only once. Those packets that are received more than once are not forwarded in a broadcast mode. This prevents the progression of a broadcast storm.
[0008] The network repeater is optionally configured to operate on powerline networks, including those structured in a mesh architecture. As such, the network repeater may be configured to both send and receive broadcast data packets through a power receptacle. Network nodes and other repeaters connected to the powerline, within transmission range, will receive data packets broadcast by the network repeater. The network repeater is optionally configured to operate within one or more powerline communication standards. [0009] Various embodiments of the invention include a repeater for powerline communications, a communication network comprising a repeater, a repeater for Ethernet communications, and a method for determining whether to repeat a received data packet. The network adapter is optionally configured to operate according to IEEE 802.3 communication standards.
[0010] Various embodiments include a repeater comprising an input/output configured to receive and transmit data packets over a powerline, a packet registry configured to store a valid copy of a characteristic a preceding data packet, a registry manager configured to maintain the valid copy of the characteristic the preceding data packet, logic configured to detect a characteristic of a received data packet, to determine whether the valid copy of the characteristic of the preceding data packet stored in the packet registry matches the characteristic of the received data packet, and to not repeat the received data packet if the valid copy of the characteristic of the preceding data packets matches the characteristic of the received data packet, and a circuit configured to execute the logic.
[0011] Various embodiments include a communication network comprising a plurality of nodes configured to communicate data packets over a powerline, and at least one repeater configured to receive a first data packet over the powerline and to repeat the first data packet over the powerline.
[0012] Various embodiments include a repeater comprising an input/output configured to receive a data packet using an IEEE 802.3 standard, a packet registry configured to store a valid copy of a characteristic of a preceding data packet, a registry manager configured to maintain the valid copy in the packet registry, logic configured to detect the characteristic of a received data packet, to determine if the valid copy stored in the packet registry matches the characteristic of the received data packet, and to not repeat the received data packet if the valid copy matches the characteristic of the received data packet, and a circuit configured to execute the logic. [0013] Various embodiments include a method comprising receiving a data packet over a powerline, detecting a characteristic of the received data packet, searching a packet registry for a valid copy of the detected characteristic, if the valid copy of the detected characteristic is not found in the packet registry, repeating the received data packet, and establishing the valid copy of the detected characteristic in the packet registry.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] FIG. 1 illustrates various embodiments of a network including one or more repeaters;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates various embodiments of a repeater; and [0016] FIG. 3 illustrates various embodiments of a method of repeating a message.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] A network includes one or more repeaters configured to operate in a unicast and/or a broadcast mode. Broadcast storms are substantially avoided by using repeaters configured to track whether a data packet is received more than once during a limited time period. Data packets, or other signals, received more than once are not repeated in the broadcast mode. The receipt of a data packet is registered by detecting and storing a valid copy of a characteristic of the data packet at the repeater. This characteristic may include, for example, a source MAC (Media Access Control) address, a checksum, a packet length (e.g., size in bytes), a tag added by logic associated with a repeater, CRC bytes, random bytes within the broadcast frame, and/or the like. The repeater may add a tag or other label to the data packet. The valid copy of the data packet characteristic is stored in a packet registry for a time that is long enough to detect a repeated transmission of a particular packet by one or more repeaters, but short enough to avoid disruption of packets that are legitimately rebroadcast from their source.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates various embodiments of a network, generally designated 100, and including one or more repeaters 110. Network 100 is optionally a powerline network. However, while a powerline network is discussed herein for the purposes of example, various embodiments may be adapted to other types of networks such as Ethernet networks (IEEE 802.3), hybrid networks, wireless (WIFI) networks, and/or the like. A powerline network is a network in which data is communicated over the same electrical conductors as electrical power. A powerline network optionally comprises a broadcast channel. Network 100 optionally includes a hybrid network, e.g., a network that comprises variety of transmission types such as a powerline network and a wireless network. [0019] Network 100 further includes one or more nodes 120, and a powerline 130 or other communications channel. Powerline 130 may comprise a residential powerline. Nodes 120 are typically connected to powerline 130 through a receptacle (e.g., power outlet configured to receive a plug). The nodes 120 may be included in or connected to network compatible devices. For example, one of the nodes 120 may be included in a stereo receiver 140, one of the nodes 120 may be disposed between powerline 130 and a compact disk player 150, one of the nodes 120 may be disposed between powerline 130 and a server 160, and one of the nodes 120 may be included in a wireless router 170.
[0020] Communication between some of the nodes 120 may require that packets be repeated (e.g., relayed) using at least one repeater 110. This repetition may be in either broadcast or unicast modes. For example, a communication sent between compact disk player 150 and stereo receiver 140 may be forwarded using two repeaters 110. A first repeater 110 is configured to receive a data packet and repeat the data packet to one or more nodes 120 and/or one or more other repeaters 110. The second repeater 110 may receive the data packet from the first repeater 110 and again repeat the data packet. The data packet repeated by the second repeater 110 may be received by the first repeater 110. In the prior art, this may result in a loop in which the data packet is indefinitely repeated.
[0021] The network 100 may comprise a hybrid network that includes powerline communications and at least one other type of communications such as Ethernet, WIFI, and/or the like. In these embodiments, a signal may be conveyed using several different types of communications. These communications types may be coupled to each other using a network device, such as wireless router 170, a node 120 or a repeater 110, configured to use one or more of these communication types. For example, wireless router 170 may be configured to communicate via powerline communications and over a WiFi network. In some embodiments, the powerline network may act as a bridge between Ethernet networks. If a broadcast packet is received from the Ethernet network, the powerline network broadcasts the packet via a broadcast channel or unicasts the packet to the nodes on the powerline network.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates various embodiments of repeater 110. The repeater 110 may comprise an input/output 210, a packet registry 220, a registry manager 230, and logic 240. These components may be embodied in hardware, firmware and/or software stored on a computer readable medium. For example, in various embodiments, logic 240 includes computing instruction and digital circuits such as a processor, a data bus, data registers, instruction execution circuits, and/or the like. Repeater 110 may be a stand alone device, part of an interface (e.g., an audio device to powerline network interface, or a Ethernet to powerline network interface), part of a personal computer, part of a portable computing device, part of a server, and/or the like.
[0023] The input/output 210 comprises a communication interface for receiving and transmitting signals over a network such as network 100. These signals typically comprise data packets. The input/output 210 may comprise a network card, an 802.3 Ethernet interface, a powerline communication interface, a WIFI transceiver, or the like. In other embodiments, the input/output 210 may comprise a bridging filter for communicating over hybrid networks. A bridging filter comprises a high pass filter configured to separate frequencies at which power is transmitted in a power line from higher frequencies, at which data is transmitted. The separated frequencies including data may then be processed and the data conveyed over an alternative type of communications network. The input/output interface 210 may comprise more than one communication interface to enable communication over more than one type of network. For example, the repeater 110 may be able to receive a data packet via an Ethernet connection and repeat the data packet over a powerline communication network.
[0024] The packet registry 220 comprises a database that stores valid copies of data packet characteristics. The valid copies are stored data packet characteristics that are used to determine whether a received data packet has been previously received by the input/output. The packet registry 220 may comprise a volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM), a volatile memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a static memory, and/or the like.
[0025] The registry manager 230 maintains the valid copies of the data packet characteristic stored in the packet registry. Various embodiments may use different approaches to maintaining these valid copies. For example, in some embodiments it is assumed that any copy of a characteristic within the packet registry 220 is valid. In these embodiments the registry manager 230 is configured to remove the record after an appropriate delay time. In some embodiments, the registry manager 230 is configured to store characteristics within the packet registry 220 in association with a flag configured to indicate validity of the characteristics. In these embodiments, the registry manager 230 is configured to change the flag to indicate that the characteristic is not longer valid after the delay time. In some embodiments, the registry manager 230 is configured to store characteristics within the packet registry 220 in association with a time value. In these embodiments, the registry manager 230 may be configured to determine the validity of a characteristic by comparing the stored time value with a current time. The time value and the current time are optionally obtained from a timer 250. There are other approaches by which the registry manager 230 may maintain the valid copies of characteristics in the packet registry 220. The registry manager 230 is optionally configured to maintain the valid copies using a first in, first out (FIFO) list.
[0026] The timer 250 is configured to determine a time for storage with a characteristic of a data packet, to determine a current time, and/or to determine a relative time. The timer 250 may further be configured for measuring a delay time between when a characteristic is stored in the packet registry 220 and when that characteristic should no longer be considered valid. The delay time may be a predetermined time period. This predetermined time period may be less than or equal to one hundred milliseconds, 150 milliseconds, 200 milliseconds, 300 milliseconds, 500 milliseconds, or one second. In some embodiments, the delay time is selected such that it is less than a retry or retransmission time associated with one or more nodes on the network. Selecting the delay time to be less than the retry or retransmission time means that a valid characteristic of a packet will no longer be stored in the packet registry 220 by the time a retry or retransmission (from the source) of the packet is attempted. A delay time that is less then the retry or retransmission time may help in avoiding dropping legitimate data packets that were resent because the packets were corrupted or not received at a destination node. For example, in some nodes, the retry time is one second or longer.
[0027] The delay time may alternatively be dynamic. For example, in some embodiments, the delay time may be set initially to a default time and subsequently adjusted according to network latency or an amount of total traffic on the network. For example, if there is high network latency, the delay time may be increased to compensate for messages taking a longer amount of time to travel within the network. Further, the delay time may decrease if there is a small amount of total network traffic. Other aspects that may be considered in adjusting the delay time include a number of dropped data packets (e.g., packets which have not been repeated), the results of leaky integration or other filter, the number of data packets that have been received, the number of data packets for which a valid characteristic is found, and/or the like. In some embodiments, repeater 110 is configured to test the latency of network 100 by sending out a test data packet and measuring the time before the repeater 110 receives a repeated copy of the test data packet. The delay time may then be set at a value greater than this measured time.
[0028] In some embodiments, the registry manager 230 is configured to maintain the packet registry 220 by performing invalidating operations on the packet registry 220 after the delay time has passed. For example, the registry manager 230 may be configured to write the valid copy to the packet registry 220, wait a period of time substantially equal to the delay time, and delete, overwrite and/or otherwise modify the characteristic entry such that a valid copy is no longer present. In these embodiments, no time value need be stored with the valid copy. In other embodiments, a time may be stored along with the copy of the characteristic. The time may correspond to the time at which the copy of the characteristic was stored, or the time at which the copy is to be deleted or otherwise invalidated. The registry manager 230 may compare a current time to the stored time to determine whether to delete characteristic copies, overwrite characteristic copies, and/or modify an entry indicating the validity of the copy. One skilled in the art will realize further methods for maintaining the packet registry 220 using the registry manager 230 after learning of those methods described herein.
[0029] The logic 240 is configured to detect a data packet characteristic associated with a received data packet. For example, when a data packet is received by the logic 240, the logic 240 examines that data packet to determine one or more characteristic of the data packet. The characteristic may be a value stored within the data packet, such as a MAC address, or a measured value, such as a measure length of the data packet. The logic 240 is further configured to determine whether a valid copy of the determined data packet characteristic(s) is currently stored in the packet registry 220. If a valid copy of the data packet characteristic is currently stored in the packet registry 220, it is assumed that the data packet was previously received by the repeater 110 within too short a time period, and the repeater 110 does not repeat the data packet. By not resending a data packets that are received more than once within the delay time, the probability of indefinite repetition of a packet or a broadcast storm is significantly reduced.
[0030] The logic 240 is configured to repeat the received packet using the input/output 210 if a valid copy of the data packet characteristic is not currently stored in the packet registry 220. This repetition is optionally performed in a broadcast mode. Further, if the logic 240 determines that no valid copy of the data packet characteristic currently exists in the packet registry 220, the logic 240 is configured to establish a valid copy of the characteristic within the packet registry 220. By establishing the valid copy of the characteristic, the data packet will be prevented from being repeated again if the data packet if it is again received by repeater 110 within the delay time.
[0031] In some embodiments, the logic 240 is configured to add a tag to the received data packet before repeating the data packet. This tag is optionally added outside the checksum characteristic determined by the repeater 110. In powerline communications networks, the added tag may include a token or parameter indicating the current number of times the packet has been repeated. If this number is beyond a predetermined threshold in the received broadcast packet, the packet is discarded and no longer repeated. If not, the number of repetitions is incremented and the logic 240 broadcasts the received data packet. This method limits the number of times that a data packet can be broadcast by the repeaters 110. [0032] In some embodiments, the logic 240 is configured to detect a broadcast storm if more than a threshold number of data packets are not repeated within a specified period of time because valid matching characteristics were found within the packet registry 220. In the event of a broadcast storm, the logic 240 is optionally configured to stop repeating all data packets for a specified period of time. The logic 240 may further instruct the registry manager 230 to invalidate or clear the contents of the packet registry 220 after this period.
[0033] FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a process, generally designated 300, for repeating a data packet using a repeater 110 according to various embodiments. The data packet may be part of a message comprising a plurality of data packets. The process 300 may be performed on embodiments of network 100, including a hybrid network, a power line communications network, an Ethernet, a WIFI network, and/or the like. The process 300 may be used by a repeater 110 to prevent broadcast storms. Process 300 may be used to repeat messages that are unicast, multicast or broadcast.
[0034] A step 310 comprises receiving a packet using the input/output 210 of a repeater 110. The packet may be received via a powerline communications network, an Ethernet, or a WIFI network depending on the communication interfaces associated with input/output 210.
[0035] A step 320 comprises detecting one or more characteristics associated with the data packet. The characteristics may comprise cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bytes, a checksum, a source MAC address, a packet length, random bytes within the received packet frame, and/or the like.
[0036] A step 330 comprises searching the packet registry 220 for the one or more valid copies matching the one or more characteristic associated with the received data packet and detected in step 320. The valid copies typically comprise characteristics associated with data packets that have been received within a delay time. [0037] A step 340 comprises determining whether a valid copy is currently stored in the packet registry 220. If a valid copy is found, the packet is dropped in a step 350 and not repeated. The data packet may be dropped to prevent a broadcast storm from occurring within a loop or mesh in the network 100. In some embodiments, the copy of the one or more characteristic in the packet registry 220 is refreshed after the data packet is dropped. As such, the one or more characteristic will remain valid for at least the delay time after refreshing.
[0038] If a valid copy is not found in the packet registry 220 a step 360 is performed. Step 360 includes storing one or more characteristic of the data packet in the packet registry 220.
[0039] In a step 370, the data packet is repeated, optionally via a broadcast channel in the network 100. In a step 380, the packet registry 220 is refreshed. Refreshing the packet registry 220 may include updating the validation time associated with the valid copies of a data packet that was dropped in step 350, invalidating data packets that have been valid in the Packet Registry 220 for more than the delay time, eliminating expired or corrupted copies of characteristics, and or the like.
[0040] Several embodiments are specifically illustrated and/or described herein. However, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations are covered by the above teachings and within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the wireline may comprise a powerline. The systems and methods disclosed herein may additionally implemented in a mesh network where the network topology is known and the topology may be further used to direct a data packet through unicast channels to a destination. Examples discussed herein with reference to unicast may also apply to the use of multicast. Logic discussed herein may be embodied in hardware, firmware, and/or software stored in a computer readable medium.
[0041] The embodiments discussed herein are illustrative of the present invention. As these embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to illustrations, various modifications or adaptations of the methods and or specific structures described may become apparent to those skilled in the art. AU such modifications, adaptations, or variations that rely upon the teachings of the present invention, and through which these teachings have advanced the art, are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Hence, these descriptions and drawings should not be considered in a limiting sense, as it is understood that the present invention is in no way limited to only the embodiments illustrated.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A repeater comprising: an input/output configured to receive and transmit data packets over a powerline; a packet registry configured to store a valid copy of a characteristic of a preceding data packet; a registry manager configured to maintain the valid copy of the characteristic the preceding data packet; logic configured to detect a characteristic of a received data packet, to determine whether the valid copy of the characteristic of the preceding data packet stored in the packet registry matches the characteristic of the received data packet, and to not repeat the received data packet if the valid copy of the characteristic of the preceding data packet matches the characteristic of the received data packet; and a circuit configured to execute the logic.
2. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the received data packet includes a source MAC address.
3. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the received data packet includes a checksum.
4. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the received data packet includes a packet length.
5. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the received data packet comprises a tag added by the logic.
6. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the input/output is configured to receive the data packet according to an 802.3 standard.
7. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the registry manager is configured to measure a delay time.
8. The repeater of claim 7, wherein the delay time is less than a retry time.
9. The repeater of claim 7, wherein the delay time is responsive to packets received by the repeater.
10. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the registry manager is further configured to store a valid copy of the characteristic of the received data packet in the packet registry.
11. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the logic is further configured to detect a network storm and to drop the received data packet if the network storm is detected.
12. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the logic is further configured to maintain valid copies of the characteristics of each of a plurality of preceding data packets and to not repeat the received data packet if any of the valid copies of the characteristics matches the characteristic of the received data packet.
13. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the logic is further configured to broadcast the received data packet if the valid copy of the characteristic of the preceding data packet does not match the characteristic of the received data packet.
14. A communication network comprising: a plurality of nodes configured to communicate data packets over a powerline; and at least one repeater configured to receive a first data packet over the • powerline and to repeat the first data packet over the powerline.
15. The communication network of claim 14, wherein the powerline comprises a residential powerline.
16. The communication network of claim 14, wherein the at least one repeater is further configured to receive a second data packet through a wireless communication channel.
17. The communication network of claim 14, .wherein the at least one repeater includes at least two repeaters configured to repeat the data packets to each other.
18. The communication network of claim 14, wherein the at least one repeater is configured to repeat the first data packet a limited number of times during a delay time.
19. The communication network of claim 14, wherein the at least one repeater is configured to repeat the first data packet only one time during a delay time.
20. The communication network of claim 14, wherein the at least one repeater is configured to identify that the first data packet has been received more than once during a delay time by comparing a characteristic of the first data packet with a characteristic previously stored by the at least one repeater.
21. The communication network of claim 14, wherein the at least one repeater is configured to repeat the first data packet over the powerline in a broadcast mode.
22. A repeater comprising: an input/output configured to receive a data packet using an IEEE 802.3 standard; a packet registry configured to store a valid copy of a characteristic of a preceding data packet; a registry manager configured to maintain the valid copy in the packet registry; logic configured to detect a characteristic of a received data packet, to determine if the valid copy stored in the packet registry matches the characteristic of the received data packet, and to not repeat the received data packet if the valid copy matches the characteristic of the received data packet; and a circuit configured to execute the logic.
23. The repeater of claim 22, wherein the logic is further configured to maintain valid copies of the characteristics of each of a plurality of preceding data packets, and to not repeat the received data packet if any of the valid copies of the characteristics matches the characteristic of the received data packet.
24. The repeater of claim 22, wherein the logic is further configured to maintain valid copies of the characteristics of each of a plurality of preceding data packets, and to repeat the received data packet if none of the valid copies of the characteristics matches the characteristic of the received data packet.
25. The repeater of claim 22, wherein the registry manager or logic is configured such that the valid copy becomes invalid after a delay time.
26. A method comprising: receiving a data packet over a powerline; detecting a characteristic of the received data packet; searching a packet registry for a valid copy of the detected characteristic; if the valid copy of the detected characteristic is not found in the packet registry, repeating the received data packet; and establishing the valid copy of the detected characteristic in the packet registry.
27. The method of claim 26, further including updating the packet registry by eliminating the valid copy from the packet registry using a registry manager.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the registry manager is configured to eliminate the valid copy after a delayed time.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the registry manager is configured to eliminate the valid copy in response to a detected network traffic.
30. The method of claim 26, further comprising dropping the data packet if the valid copy of the detected characteristic is found in the packet registry.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein the detected characteristic includes a source MAC address.
32. The method of claim 26, wherein the detected characteristic includes a checksum.
33. The method of claim 26, wherein the received data packet is repeated in a broadcast mode.
PCT/US2007/024309 2006-11-21 2007-11-21 Network repeater WO2008063656A2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07862182.8A EP2106645B1 (en) 2006-11-21 2007-11-21 Network repeater

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/562,380 US7808985B2 (en) 2006-11-21 2006-11-21 Network repeater
US11/562,380 2006-11-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008063656A2 true WO2008063656A2 (en) 2008-05-29
WO2008063656A3 WO2008063656A3 (en) 2010-10-14

Family

ID=39416864

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2007/024309 WO2008063656A2 (en) 2006-11-21 2007-11-21 Network repeater

Country Status (3)

Country Link
US (3) US7808985B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2106645B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2008063656A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR100976502B1 (en) * 2005-09-28 2010-08-18 엘지전자 주식회사 A method of transmitting data in cellular networks using cooperative relaying
US7808985B2 (en) * 2006-11-21 2010-10-05 Gigle Networks Sl Network repeater
US8213895B2 (en) 2005-10-03 2012-07-03 Broadcom Europe Limited Multi-wideband communications over multiple mediums within a network
US20080159358A1 (en) * 2007-01-02 2008-07-03 David Ruiz Unknown Destination Traffic Repetition
US20110205918A1 (en) * 2005-10-03 2011-08-25 Hurwitz Jonathan E D Apparatus for Power Line and Wireless Communications
EP1770870B1 (en) * 2005-10-03 2019-04-03 Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited Powerline communication device and method
US8520715B2 (en) * 2006-07-06 2013-08-27 Broadcom Corporation Adaptative multi-carrier code division multiple access
US8885814B2 (en) * 2006-07-25 2014-11-11 Broadcom Europe Limited Feedback impedance control for driving a signal
US8213582B2 (en) * 2008-03-14 2012-07-03 Broadcom Europe Limited Coupling signal processing circuitry with a wireline communications medium
US9705562B2 (en) * 2006-07-25 2017-07-11 Broadcom Europe Limited Dual transformer communication interface
FR2932934B1 (en) * 2008-06-18 2010-07-30 Canon Kk METHODS OF NOTIFYING AND REALLOCATING REALLYABLE TIME INTERVALS IN A MESH COMMUNICATION NETWORK, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, STORAGE MEDIUM AND CORRESPONDING NODES
US8806551B2 (en) * 2008-12-03 2014-08-12 Alcatel Lucent Prioritized retransmission of internet protocol television (IPTV) packets
US8867381B2 (en) * 2009-09-23 2014-10-21 Aerovironment, Inc. Active multi-path network redundancy with performance monitoring
CN102143508A (en) * 2010-12-06 2011-08-03 华为终端有限公司 Upgrading method and upgrading device for wireless repeater
US20120198252A1 (en) * 2011-02-01 2012-08-02 Kirschtein Phillip M System and Method for Managing and Detecting Server Power Connections
JP5915015B2 (en) 2011-07-25 2016-05-11 ソニー株式会社 COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION METHOD, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
KR101244699B1 (en) 2011-09-14 2013-03-19 국방과학연구소 Data transmitting apparatus of flight system and method thereof
US9467326B2 (en) * 2012-12-03 2016-10-11 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Rate limiting mechanism based on device load/capacity or traffic content
US9948892B2 (en) 2013-07-17 2018-04-17 BOT Home Automation, Inc. Wireless speaker devices for wireless audio/video recording and communication devices
KR101500877B1 (en) * 2013-11-28 2015-03-09 엘에스산전 주식회사 Repeating apparatus and method of Power Line Communication
WO2015139026A2 (en) 2014-03-14 2015-09-17 Go Tenna Inc. System and method for digital communication between computing devices
TWI599204B (en) * 2016-01-28 2017-09-11 神雲科技股份有限公司 Method for Packet Filtering in Server and Baseboard Management Controller Using the Same
EP3488426B1 (en) * 2016-07-22 2021-03-03 Amazon Technologies, Inc. Wireless speaker devices for wireless audio/video recording and communication devices
US10944669B1 (en) 2018-02-09 2021-03-09 GoTenna, Inc. System and method for efficient network-wide broadcast in a multi-hop wireless network using packet echos
WO2020023909A1 (en) 2018-07-27 2020-01-30 GoTenna, Inc. Vine™: zero-control routing using data packet inspection for wireless mesh networks
US11082344B2 (en) 2019-03-08 2021-08-03 GoTenna, Inc. Method for utilization-based traffic throttling in a wireless mesh network

Family Cites Families (119)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3445763A (en) * 1965-10-06 1969-05-20 Gen Electric Digital reading impedance measuring arrangement
US3379973A (en) * 1966-01-10 1968-04-23 Halliburton Co Impedance measuring circuit having the unknown impedance in the feedback path of an amplifier
US4096361A (en) * 1977-06-20 1978-06-20 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Test apparatus for obtaining impedance settings for hybrid balance networks
US4224483A (en) * 1979-03-12 1980-09-23 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Electronic loaded/nonloaded telephone loop identification circuit
US4636711A (en) * 1984-12-04 1987-01-13 Airborne Electronics, Inc. Pulse width modulation control circuit with a variable zero to one hundred percent duty cycle
US4636771A (en) * 1984-12-10 1987-01-13 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Power line communications terminal and interface circuit associated therewith
US4922534A (en) * 1985-11-18 1990-05-01 General Datacomm, Inc. Intelligent synchronous modem and communication system incorporating the same
US4772870A (en) * 1986-11-20 1988-09-20 Reyes Ronald R Power line communication system
US6104707A (en) * 1989-04-28 2000-08-15 Videocom, Inc. Transformer coupler for communication over various lines
US5090024A (en) * 1989-08-23 1992-02-18 Intellon Corporation Spread spectrum communications system for networks
US6014386A (en) * 1989-10-30 2000-01-11 Videocom, Inc. System and method for high speed communication of video, voice and error-free data over in-wall wiring
IL100127A0 (en) * 1991-03-11 1992-08-18 Future Domain Corp Scsi controller
FR2691863B1 (en) 1992-05-27 1995-06-23 Koubi Denis METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING BROADBAND ANALOG AND / OR DIGITAL INFORMATION AND SIGNALS USING THE ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK AS A TRANSMISSION MEDIUM.
GB9222205D0 (en) * 1992-10-22 1992-12-02 Norweb Plc Low voltage filter
US5880631A (en) * 1996-02-28 1999-03-09 Qualcomm Incorporated High dynamic range variable gain amplifier
US6697415B1 (en) * 1996-06-03 2004-02-24 Broadcom Corporation Spread spectrum transceiver module utilizing multiple mode transmission
US5777544A (en) * 1997-03-17 1998-07-07 Intellon Corporation Apparatus and method for controlling data communications having combination of wide and narrow band frequency protocols
US5978371A (en) * 1997-03-31 1999-11-02 Abb Power T&D Company Inc. Communications module base repeater
JP3171141B2 (en) * 1997-06-06 2001-05-28 日本電気株式会社 Mobile communication transmitter and control method thereof
US6243413B1 (en) * 1998-04-03 2001-06-05 International Business Machines Corporation Modular home-networking communication system and method using disparate communication channels
US6353628B1 (en) * 1998-12-15 2002-03-05 Nortel Networks Limited Apparatus, method and system having reduced power consumption in a multi-carrier wireline environment
US6931003B2 (en) * 2000-02-09 2005-08-16 Bookline Flolmstead Llc Packet prioritization protocol for a large-scale, high speed computer network
EP1134909A1 (en) 2000-03-14 2001-09-19 Biwave Technologies Single-cable transmission device for signals and power supply of a surveillance system
DE10014676C2 (en) * 2000-03-24 2002-02-07 Polytrax Inf Technology Ag Data transmission over a power supply network
US6998962B2 (en) * 2000-04-14 2006-02-14 Current Technologies, Llc Power line communication apparatus and method of using the same
US6965302B2 (en) * 2000-04-14 2005-11-15 Current Technologies, Llc Power line communication system and method of using the same
US20020110311A1 (en) * 2001-02-14 2002-08-15 Kline Paul A. Apparatus and method for providing a power line communication device for safe transmission of high-frequency, high-bandwidth signals over existing power distribution lines
US7079537B1 (en) * 2000-04-25 2006-07-18 Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Layer 3 switching logic architecture in an integrated network switch
WO2001095518A2 (en) 2000-06-07 2001-12-13 Conexant Systems, Inc. Method and apparatus for dual-band modulation in powerline communication network systems
KR100348625B1 (en) * 2000-06-16 2002-08-13 엘지전자 주식회사 Network infra integration system
US20040213237A1 (en) * 2000-06-29 2004-10-28 Toshikazu Yasue Network authentication apparatus and network authentication system
DE10038372C2 (en) * 2000-08-07 2003-03-13 Infineon Technologies Ag Differential digital / analog converter
US7248148B2 (en) * 2000-08-09 2007-07-24 Current Technologies, Llc Power line coupling device and method of using the same
US6411163B1 (en) * 2000-08-14 2002-06-25 Intersil Americas Inc. Transconductance amplifier circuit
BR0113283A (en) * 2000-08-14 2004-07-20 Main Net Comm Ltd Power Line Communication System
JP4520032B2 (en) * 2000-08-17 2010-08-04 パナソニック株式会社 Header compression apparatus and header compression method
US7167923B2 (en) * 2000-08-24 2007-01-23 2Wire, Inc. System and method for selectively bridging and routing data packets between multiple networks
JP2002077251A (en) * 2000-08-28 2002-03-15 Nec Corp Data transmission system, data repeater system and method therefor
US6373377B1 (en) * 2000-10-05 2002-04-16 Conexant Systems, Inc. Power supply with digital data coupling for power-line networking
ES2184587B1 (en) 2000-12-18 2004-08-01 Diseño De Sistemas En Silicio, S.A. SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE FOR DIGITAL TRANSMISSION OF DATA POINT TO MULTIPOINT ON ELECTRICAL NETWORK.
DE10063675C1 (en) * 2000-12-20 2002-06-20 Siemens Ag Method and device for transmitting data on at least one electrical power supply line
EP1371219A4 (en) * 2001-02-14 2006-06-21 Current Tech Llc Data communication over a power line
ES2186531B1 (en) 2001-04-19 2005-03-16 Diseño De Sistemas En Silicio, S.A. PROCEDURE FOR MULTIPLE AND MULTIPLE DATA TRANSMISSION FOR A MULTI-USER DIGITAL DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM POINT TO MULTIPOINT ON ELECTRICAL NETWORK.
EP2068488A3 (en) * 2001-04-26 2011-05-04 NTT DoCoMo, Inc. Data link transmission control methods, mobile communication systems, data link transmission control apparatus, base stations, mobile stations, mobile station control programs, and computer-readable recording media
WO2002093758A2 (en) * 2001-05-17 2002-11-21 Broadcom Homenetworking, Inc. Apparatus for transporting home networking frame-based communications signals over coaxial cables
US7245472B2 (en) * 2001-05-18 2007-07-17 Curretn Grid, Llc Medium voltage signal coupling structure for last leg power grid high-speed data network
US7173935B2 (en) * 2002-06-07 2007-02-06 Current Grid, Llc Last leg utility grid high-speed data communication network having virtual local area network functionality
WO2002101952A1 (en) * 2001-06-12 2002-12-19 Main.Net Communications Ltd. Coupling circuits for power line communications
WO2003009083A2 (en) * 2001-07-17 2003-01-30 Main.Net Communications Ltd. Dual purpose power line modem
WO2004014056A1 (en) * 2001-08-04 2004-02-12 Enikia Llc Power line communication system
WO2003015291A2 (en) 2001-08-04 2003-02-20 Enikia Llc Frequency management and policing
US20030062990A1 (en) * 2001-08-30 2003-04-03 Schaeffer Donald Joseph Powerline bridge apparatus
JP4075461B2 (en) * 2001-11-27 2008-04-16 ソニー株式会社 Communication system, communication terminal, and communication method
US7053756B2 (en) * 2001-12-21 2006-05-30 Current Technologies, Llc Facilitating communication of data signals on electric power systems
CN1640005A (en) 2002-03-12 2005-07-13 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 Repeater for power line communication system
US6847678B2 (en) 2002-04-25 2005-01-25 Raytheon Company Adaptive air interface waveform
US6957086B2 (en) * 2002-05-01 2005-10-18 Microsoft Corporation Method for wireless capability discovery and protocol negotiation, and wireless device including same
US7113763B2 (en) * 2002-06-03 2006-09-26 Nokia Corporation Bluetooth access point and remote bluetooth modules for powerline based networking
US7027483B2 (en) * 2002-06-21 2006-04-11 Pulse-Link, Inc. Ultra-wideband communication through local power lines
US7120847B2 (en) * 2002-06-26 2006-10-10 Intellon Corporation Powerline network flood control restriction
CN100579309C (en) 2002-08-23 2010-01-06 松下电器产业株式会社 OFDM-CDMA transmission device and OFDM-CDMA transmission method
WO2004036601A2 (en) * 2002-10-17 2004-04-29 Ambient Corporation Highly insulated inductive data couplers
ATE380358T1 (en) * 2002-10-28 2007-12-15 Fujifilm Corp LASER MARKING PROCESS
US6751879B1 (en) * 2002-12-06 2004-06-22 Jian-Hua Pu Laser meter
US7069312B2 (en) * 2002-12-06 2006-06-27 Microsoft Corporation Network location signature for disambiguating multicast messages in dual-IP stack and/or multi-homed network environments
US7075414B2 (en) * 2003-05-13 2006-07-11 Current Technologies, Llc Device and method for communicating data signals through multiple power line conductors
US7224272B2 (en) * 2002-12-10 2007-05-29 Current Technologies, Llc Power line repeater system and method
US6980090B2 (en) * 2002-12-10 2005-12-27 Current Technologies, Llc Device and method for coupling with electrical distribution network infrastructure to provide communications
US6980091B2 (en) * 2002-12-10 2005-12-27 Current Technologies, Llc Power line communication system and method of operating the same
DE60206402T2 (en) 2002-12-19 2006-07-06 Laboratoire Europeen Adsl Apparatus and method for distributing digital data
JP2004266504A (en) * 2003-02-28 2004-09-24 Sony Corp Transmission and reception system, transmitter and transmission method, receiver and reception method, recording medium, and program
WO2004091113A1 (en) * 2003-04-08 2004-10-21 Acn Advanced Communications Networks Sa System and method for data communication over power lines
FR2854514B1 (en) 2003-04-30 2006-12-15 Spidcom Technologies METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING DATA AND MODEM BY POWER CURRENT
US7308103B2 (en) * 2003-05-08 2007-12-11 Current Technologies, Llc Power line communication device and method of using the same
US6985715B2 (en) * 2003-05-29 2006-01-10 Amperion, Inc. Method and device for frequency translation in powerline communications
ES2221803B1 (en) * 2003-06-18 2006-03-01 Diseño De Sistemas En Silicio, S.A. PROCEDURE FOR ACCESS TO THE MEDIA TRANSMISSION OF MULTIPLE NODES OF COMMUNICATIONS ON ELECTRICAL NETWORK.
US7321291B2 (en) * 2004-10-26 2008-01-22 Current Technologies, Llc Power line communications system and method of operating the same
US20060291575A1 (en) * 2003-07-03 2006-12-28 Berkman William H Power Line Communication System and Method
US8451817B2 (en) * 2003-07-24 2013-05-28 Cisco Technology, Inc. Method and apparatus for processing duplicate packets
US7286609B2 (en) * 2003-08-08 2007-10-23 Intel Corporation Adaptive multicarrier wireless communication system, apparatus and associated methods
US20050089061A1 (en) * 2003-08-28 2005-04-28 Oleg Logvinov Joint powerline/ultra-wide band system
US7440443B2 (en) * 2003-09-23 2008-10-21 Arkados, Inc Integrated universal network adapter
US7493100B2 (en) 2003-10-15 2009-02-17 General Electric Company Compensating for dynamic nulls in a power line communication system
US7457885B2 (en) * 2005-02-10 2008-11-25 Asoka Usa Corporation Powerline communication system and method using coupler design for additional users
US7221196B2 (en) * 2003-12-05 2007-05-22 Aquantia Corporation Low-power low-voltage multi-level variable-resistor line driver
EP2058972B1 (en) 2003-12-25 2011-08-17 NTT DoCoMo, Inc. Radio communication system, transmitter, receiver and radio communicating method
KR100534594B1 (en) * 2003-12-27 2005-12-07 한국전자통신연구원 Method for Adaptive Downlink Packet Transmission in a Multicarrier CDMA System
US20050174950A1 (en) * 2004-02-09 2005-08-11 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Distributed network organization and topology discovery in ad-hoc network
EP1569402A1 (en) * 2004-02-26 2005-08-31 Alcatel Digital subscriber line modem with bitloading using channel condition model
US7532623B2 (en) * 2004-03-24 2009-05-12 Bbn Technologies Corp. Methods for wireless mesh multicasting
IL161869A (en) * 2004-05-06 2014-05-28 Serconet Ltd System and method for carrying a wireless based signal over wiring
US7269403B1 (en) * 2004-06-03 2007-09-11 Miao George J Dual-mode wireless and wired power line communications
ATE550696T1 (en) 2004-08-04 2012-04-15 Quadlogic Controls Corp METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COUPLING RADIO FREQUENCY SIGNALS TO MEDIUM VOLTAGE LINES WITH AN AUTOMATIC TUNING DEVICE
US7506042B2 (en) * 2004-08-06 2009-03-17 Sharp Laboratories Of America, Inc. Hierarchical ad hoc network organizational method involving with proxy networking
KR100555711B1 (en) * 2004-08-31 2006-03-03 삼성전자주식회사 Method for flooding in ad-hoc network
US7391317B2 (en) * 2004-09-08 2008-06-24 Satius, Inc. Apparatus and method for transmitting digital data over various communication media
US7307568B1 (en) * 2004-11-19 2007-12-11 Analog Devices, Inc. Return-to-hold switching scheme for DAC output stage
US7345998B2 (en) * 2004-12-15 2008-03-18 Smart Labs, Inc. Mesh network of intelligent devices communicating via powerline and radio frequency
US7239892B2 (en) 2005-01-03 2007-07-03 Monster Cable Products, Inc. Alternating current power strip with network repeating and management
US7561573B2 (en) * 2005-03-23 2009-07-14 Fujitsu Limited Network adaptor, communication system and communication method
US7265664B2 (en) * 2005-04-04 2007-09-04 Current Technologies, Llc Power line communications system and method
US7719966B2 (en) * 2005-04-13 2010-05-18 Zeugma Systems Inc. Network element architecture for deep packet inspection
US7558206B2 (en) * 2005-06-21 2009-07-07 Current Technologies, Llc Power line communication rate limiting system and method
US7787477B2 (en) * 2005-07-11 2010-08-31 Mks Instruments, Inc. Address-transparent device and method
US8737420B2 (en) * 2005-07-27 2014-05-27 Sigma Designs Israel S.D.I. Ltd. Bandwidth management in a powerline network
US20070060151A1 (en) * 2005-09-09 2007-03-15 Huitai Development Corporation Power Line Communication System
KR100750173B1 (en) * 2005-09-30 2007-08-17 삼성전자주식회사 Method and communication for power line communication
US20070076666A1 (en) * 2005-10-03 2007-04-05 Riveiro Juan C Multi-Wideband Communications over Power Lines
US20080159358A1 (en) * 2007-01-02 2008-07-03 David Ruiz Unknown Destination Traffic Repetition
US8213895B2 (en) * 2005-10-03 2012-07-03 Broadcom Europe Limited Multi-wideband communications over multiple mediums within a network
US8406239B2 (en) * 2005-10-03 2013-03-26 Broadcom Corporation Multi-wideband communications over multiple mediums
US7808985B2 (en) * 2006-11-21 2010-10-05 Gigle Networks Sl Network repeater
EP1770870B1 (en) * 2005-10-03 2019-04-03 Avago Technologies International Sales Pte. Limited Powerline communication device and method
US7697450B2 (en) * 2005-11-30 2010-04-13 Motorola, Inc. Method and apparatus for broadcast in an ad hoc network with dynamic selection of relay nodes
US7860146B2 (en) * 2006-07-06 2010-12-28 Gigle Networks, Inc. Adaptative multi-carrier code division multiple access
US8885814B2 (en) * 2006-07-25 2014-11-11 Broadcom Europe Limited Feedback impedance control for driving a signal
US9705562B2 (en) * 2006-07-25 2017-07-11 Broadcom Europe Limited Dual transformer communication interface
US8213582B2 (en) * 2008-03-14 2012-07-03 Broadcom Europe Limited Coupling signal processing circuitry with a wireline communications medium
US7602220B1 (en) * 2008-06-24 2009-10-13 Gigle Semiconductor, Ltd. Resistor-input transconductor including common-mode compensation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of EP2106645A4 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2106645B1 (en) 2016-05-11
EP2106645A4 (en) 2014-05-21
EP2106645A2 (en) 2009-10-07
US7808985B2 (en) 2010-10-05
US20130259096A1 (en) 2013-10-03
US20100329274A1 (en) 2010-12-30
US9281869B2 (en) 2016-03-08
US20080117896A1 (en) 2008-05-22
US8571046B2 (en) 2013-10-29
WO2008063656A3 (en) 2010-10-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7808985B2 (en) Network repeater
JP6648211B2 (en) Method and apparatus for performing extended file distribution in multicast communication or broadcast communication
JP5088162B2 (en) Frame transmission apparatus and loop determination method
US8705502B2 (en) Using encapsulation to enable 802.1 bridging across 802.11 links
US20100128619A1 (en) Relay device, relay method, and program
US20220182915A1 (en) Method for processing data packets at node in bluetooth mesh network
JPH11261599A (en) Communications method and communications station
US20040103307A1 (en) Mechanism for detecting intrusion and jamming attempts in a shared media based communications network
US7310761B2 (en) Apparatus and method for retransmitting data packets in mobile ad hoc network environment
US20080159358A1 (en) Unknown Destination Traffic Repetition
US9049050B2 (en) System and method for equalizing transmission delay in a network
US20080232261A1 (en) Transmission apparatus, test method, and transmission apparatus control program
US20160344670A1 (en) Forwarding messages in a communication network
KR20070087353A (en) Network intermediate device and method thereof
WO2018188337A1 (en) Method and device for packet broadcasting
JP2008244989A (en) Radio communication system and terminal, packet control device, and program
JPH11234307A (en) Message route setting method for distributed network, and network communication station
CN114337724A (en) Wireless communication method, device and equipment based on dual-channel technology
US7626937B2 (en) System and method for network connection detection
US20090274054A1 (en) System and method for detecting a network loop
CN110324161B (en) Method and equipment for testing transmission protocol
CN113259490B (en) Multi-level node network data transmission method based on UDP transmission protocol
CN111279644A (en) Method and apparatus for updating retransmission times in wireless mesh networks
CN111726679B (en) Video playing method, device, equipment and medium
US20230155629A1 (en) Apparatus and methods for mesh communication networks with broadcast messages

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 07862182

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2007862182

Country of ref document: EP