IN THE UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`In Re the Application of: Joon Bae KIM
`
`Application No.:
`
`Filed: Herewith
`
`Atty. File No.: 8365-87-PUS-CON-3
`
`~ Group Art Unit:
`~ Examiner:
`~ Confirmation No.:
`)
`)
`
`For: RECEIVER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VARIABLE HEADER REPETITION
`IN A WIRELESS OFDM NETWORK
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313
`
`Dear Commissioner:
`
`PRELIMINARY AMENDMENT
`
`Prior to the initial review of the above-identified patent application by the Examiner,
`
`please enter the following Preliminary Amendment. Although Applicants do not believe that any
`
`fees are due based upon the filing of this Preliminary Amendment, please charge any such fees to
`
`Deposit Account 19-1970.
`
`Please amend the above-identified patent application as follows:
`
`Amendments to the Specification begin on page 2 of this paper.
`
`Amendments to the Abstract begin on page 3 of this paper
`
`Amendments to the Claims are shown in the listing of claims which begin on page 5 of
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`this paper.
`
`Remarks begin on page 11 of this paper.
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`1
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`Attorney Docket No.: 8365-87-PUS-CON-3
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`Page 1 of 188
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`DELL-1002
`10,079,707
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`

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`AMENDMENTS TO THE SPECIFICATION
`
`In the title:
`
`Please change the title to read as follows:
`
`Please amend the first paragraph of the application beneath the heading "RELATED
`
`APPLICATION DATA":
`
`[0001]
`
`I\<Iarc-h 31~2017~ \,v}1ic-h is a continuation of l_J.S. Patent /\11piication No. 15./350.418. filed
`
`__ 8, _20_12._ r.toYv _LJ __ S._patent_N·o, __ 9"584.,262.,_ \,vhi_ch __ is _a_nati_cnt1~ __ sta1-:;e
`)_3/3 76.856"_ filed __ Februar\.1
`
`11rdicm.ion claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. §l 19(e) to U.S. Patent Application
`
`No. 61/235,909, filed August 21, 2009, entitled "Header Repetition Scheme in Packet-Based
`
`OFDM Systems," each of which JIH'.-i-r,. incorporated herein by reference in Ihtixi+s- entirety.
`
`2
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`Attorney Docket No.: 8365-87-PUS-CON-3
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`Page 2 of 188
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`IN THE ABSTRACT:
`
`Please amend the Abstract as follows:
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`first na,clcet tvne
`
`'
`d .. Ltd
`
`'T'he first
`
`tha11 the ·fl rst nacK-et tv oe_
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`3
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`Page 3 of 188
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`ABSTRACT
`
`A method and apparatus for use within a wireless OFDM network that receives a first packet
`
`type and a second packet type. The first packet type has a header field with two parts with each
`
`part comprising a different set of header bits. The two parts of the header field are received using
`
`two OFDM symbols. The second packet type has a header field with four parts with the first and
`
`second parts comprising the same first set of header bits and the third and the fourth part
`
`comprising the same second set of header bits. The four parts of the header field are received
`
`using four OFDM symbols. The second packet type provides more reliable reception than the
`
`first packet type.
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`4
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`Page 4 of 188
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`AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS
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`This listing of claims will replace all prior versions, and listings, of claims in the
`
`application.
`
`Listing of Claims:
`
`1-59.
`
`(Cancelled)
`
`60.
`
`(New) A wireless OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)
`
`transceiver comprising:
`
`a wireless OFDM communications receiver operable to receive, over a wireless
`
`communication channel, a first packet type comprising a first header field, wherein the first
`
`header field comprises two parts, a first part comprising a first set of header bits of the first
`
`header field and a second part comprising a second set of header bits of the first header field,
`
`wherein the first set of header bits of the first header field is different than the second set of
`
`header bits of the first header field; and
`
`a demodulator operable to demodulate a first OFDM symbol followed by a second
`
`OFDM symbol, wherein the first OFDM symbol is used to receive the first part of the first
`
`header field and the second OFDM symbol is used to receive the second part of the first header
`
`field;
`
`the wireless OFDM communications receiver further operable to receive, over the
`
`wireless communications channel, a second packet type comprising a second header field,
`
`wherein the second header field comprises four parts, a first part comprising a first set of header
`
`bits of the second header field, a second part comprising a second set of header bits of the second
`
`header field, a third part comprising a third set of header bits of the second header field and a
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`fourth part comprising a fourth set of header bits of the second header field,
`
`wherein the first set of header bits of the second header field is the same as the second set
`
`of header bits of the second header field, wherein the third set of header bits of the second header
`
`field is the same as the fourth set of header bits of the second header field,
`
`the demodulator further operable to demodulate a first OFDM symbol followed by a
`
`second OFDM symbol followed by a third OFDM symbol followed by a fourth OFDM symbol,
`
`wherein the first OFDM symbol is used to receive the first part of the second header field, the
`
`5
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`second OFDM symbol is used to receive the second part of the second header field, the third
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`OFDM symbol is used to receive the third part of the second header field, the fourth OFDM
`
`symbol is used to receive the fourth part of the second header field,
`
`wherein the second set of header bits of the second header field received using the second
`
`OFDM symbol are received in a different order than the first set of header bits of the second
`
`header field received using the first OFDM symbol, and
`
`wherein the fourth set of header bits of the second header field received using the fourth
`
`OFDM symbol are received in a different order than the third set of header bits of the second
`
`header field received using the third OFDM symbol.
`
`61.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 60, wherein the reception of the same
`
`header bits in the second OFDM symbol provides diversity to increase a likelihood of correctly
`
`receiving header information of the second packet type.
`
`62.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 60, wherein the reception of the same
`
`header bits in the fourth OFDM symbol provides diversity to increase a likelihood of correctly
`
`receiving header information of the second packet type.
`
`63.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 60, wherein the wireless transceiver
`
`supports SmartGrid applications.
`
`64.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 60, wherein the wireless transceiver
`
`supports one or more wireless standards.
`
`65.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 60, wherein a MAP (Media Access Plan)
`
`frame indicates whether two or four OFDM symbols are used to receive header bits.
`
`66.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 60, wherein the first header field
`
`indicates that the type of packet.
`
`6
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`67.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 60, wherein the second header field
`
`indicates that the type of packet.
`
`68.
`
`(New) A method of operating a wireless OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division
`
`Multiplexing) transceiver comprising:
`
`receiving, by a wireless OFDM communications receiver over a wireless communication
`
`channel, a first packet type comprising a first header field, wherein the first header field
`
`comprises two parts, a first part comprising a first set of header bits of the first header field and a
`
`second part comprising a second set of header bits of the first header field, wherein the first set
`
`of header bits of the first header field is different than the second set of header bits of the first
`
`header field;
`
`demodulating, by a demodulator, a first OFDM symbol followed by a second OFDM
`
`symbol, wherein the first OFDM symbol is used to receive the first part of the first header field
`
`and the second OFDM symbol is used to receive the second part of the first header field;
`
`receiving, by the wireless OFDM communications receiver over the wireless
`
`communication channel, a second packet type comprising a second header field, wherein the
`
`second header field comprises four parts, a first part comprising a first set of header bits of the
`
`second header field, a second part comprising a second set of header bits of the second header
`
`field, a third part comprising a third set of header bits of the second header field and a fourth part
`
`comprising a fourth set of header bits of the second header field,
`
`wherein the first set of header bits of the second header field is the same as the second set
`
`of header bits of the second header field, wherein the third set of header bits of the second header
`
`field is the same as the fourth set of header bits of the second header field; and
`
`demodulating, by the demodulator, a first OFDM symbol followed by a second OFDM
`
`symbol followed by a third OFDM symbol followed by a fourth OFDM symbol, wherein the first
`
`OFDM symbol is used to receive the first part of the second header field, the second OFDM
`
`symbol is used to receive the second part of the second header field, the third OFDM symbol is
`
`used to receive the third part of the second header field, the fourth OFDM symbol is used to
`
`receive the fourth part of the second header field,
`
`7
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`wherein the second set of header bits of the second header field received using the second
`
`OFDM symbol are received in a different order than the first set of header bits of the second
`
`header field received using the first OFDM symbol, and
`
`wherein the fourth set of header bits of the second header field received using the fourth
`
`OFDM symbol are received in a different order than the third set of header bits of the second
`
`header field received using the third OFDM symbol.
`
`69.
`
`(New) The method of claim 68, wherein the reception of the same header bits in
`
`the second OFDM symbol provides diversity to increase a likelihood of correctly receiving
`
`header information of the second packet type.
`
`70.
`
`(New) The method of claim 68, wherein the reception of the same header bits in
`
`the fourth OFDM symbol provides diversity to increase a likelihood of correctly receiving
`
`header information of the second packet type.
`
`71.
`
`(New) The method of claim 68, wherein the wireless transceiver supports
`
`SmartGrid applications.
`
`72.
`
`(New) The method of claim 68, wherein the wireless transceiver supports one or
`
`more wireless standards.
`
`73.
`
`(New) The method of claim 68, wherein a MAP (Media Access Plan) frame
`
`indicates whether two or four OFDM symbols are used to receive header bits.
`
`74.
`
`(New) A wireless OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)
`
`transceiver comprising:
`
`means for receiving a first packet type comprising a first header field, wherein the first
`
`header field comprises two parts, a first part comprising a first set of header bits of the first
`
`header field and a second part comprising a second set of header bits of the first header field,
`
`wherein the first set of header bits of the first header field is different than the second set of
`
`header bits of the first header field;
`
`8
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`means for demodulating a first OFDM symbol followed by a second OFDM symbol,
`
`wherein the first OFDM symbol is used to receive the first part of the first header field and the
`
`second OFDM symbol is used to receive the second part of the first header field;
`
`means for receiving a second packet type comprising a second header field, wherein the
`
`second header field comprises four parts, a first part comprising a first set of header bits of the
`
`second header field, a second part comprising a second set of header bits of the second header
`
`field, a third part comprising a third set of header bits of the second header field and a fourth part
`
`comprising a fourth set of header bits of the second header field,
`
`wherein the first set of header bits of the second header field is the same as the second set
`
`of header bits of the second header field, wherein the third set of header bits of the second header
`
`field is the same as the fourth set of header bits of the second header field; and
`
`means for demodulating a first OFDM symbol followed by a second OFDM symbol
`
`followed by a third OFDM symbol followed by a fourth OFDM symbol, wherein the first OFDM
`
`symbol is used to receive the first part of the second header field, the second OFDM symbol is
`
`used to receive the second part of the second header field, the third OFDM symbol is used to
`
`receive the third part of the second header field, the fourth OFDM symbol is used to receive the
`
`fourth part of the second header field,
`
`wherein the second set of header bits of the second header field received using the second
`
`OFDM symbol are received in a different order than the first set of header bits of the second
`
`header field received using the first OFDM symbol, and
`
`wherein the fourth set of header bits of the second header field received using the fourth
`
`OFDM symbol are received in a different order than the third set of header bits of the second
`
`header field received using the third OFDM symbol.
`
`75.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 74, wherein the reception of the same
`
`header bits in the second OFDM symbol provides diversity to increase a likelihood of correctly
`
`receiving header information of the second packet type.
`
`76.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 74, wherein the reception of the same
`
`header bits in the fourth OFDM symbol provides diversity to increase a likelihood of correctly
`
`receiving header information of the second packet type.
`
`9
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`77.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 74, wherein the wireless transceiver
`
`supports SmartGrid applications.
`
`77.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 74, wherein the wireless transceiver
`
`supports one or more wireless standards.
`
`79.
`
`(New) The wireless transceiver of claim 74, wherein a MAP (Media Access Plan)
`
`frame indicates whether two or four OFDM symbols are used to receive header bits.
`
`10
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`By this amendment, claims 1-59 are canceled without prejudice or disclaimer and new
`
`REMARKS/ARGUMENTS
`
`claims 60-79 have been added.
`
`Applicant requests examination on the merits.
`
`Applicant believes that the pending claims are in condition for allowance and such
`
`disposition is respectfully requested. In the event that a telephone conversation would further
`
`prosecution and/or expedite allowance, the Examiner is invited to contact the undersigned.
`
`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge to Deposit Account No. 19-1970 any
`
`fees under 37 C.F.R. §§ 1.16 and 1.17 that may be required by this paper and to credit any
`
`overpayment to that Account. If any extension of time is required in connection with the filing
`
`of this paper and has not been separately requested, such extension is hereby Petitioned.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`SHERIDAN ROSS P.C.
`
`By: __ /J_a_so_n_H_. _V_ic_k/ _ _ _ _ _ _
`Jason H. Vick
`Registration No. 45,285
`1560 Broadway, Suite 1200
`Denver, Colorado 80202-5141
`(303) 863-9700
`jvick@).sheridanross.crnn
`
`Date: April 20, 2018
`
`11
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`Atty. Docket No.: 8365-87-PCT
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`HEADER REPETITION IN PACKET-BASED OFDM SYSTEMS
`
`RELATED APPLICATION DATA
`
`[0001]
`
`This application claims the benefit of and priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to
`
`U.S. Patent Application No. 61/235,909, filed August 21, 2009, entitled "Header
`
`Repetition Scheme in Packet-Based OFDM Systems," which is incorporated herein by
`
`reference in its entirety.
`
`FIELD
`
`[0002]
`
`An exemplary aspect of this invention relates to communications
`
`systems. More specifically, exemplary methods, systems, means, protocols and
`
`computer-readable storage media, are directed toward header repetition in a
`
`communications environment.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0003]
`
`Conventional multi-user communications system use frame-based (or packet-
`
`based) transmission to communication between two or more users over a shared
`
`channel based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM)- (OFDM is also
`
`sometimes referred to as multicarrier modulation.) A packet is usually formed by a
`
`preamble, header, and payload, and transmitted using time-sharing or contention-based
`
`media access methods. An example of such a system includes IEEE 802.11 (Wireless
`
`LAN), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and ITU G.9960 (G.hn). These systems use OFDM
`
`transmission, which is also sometimes referred to as Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT) which
`
`divides the transmission frequency band into multiple subcarriers (also referred to as
`
`tones or sub-channels), with each sub-carrier individually modulating a bit or a collection
`
`of bits.
`
`[0004]
`
`The header contains important control information for the receiver to decode
`
`the payload properly, and also provides information about the packet length for virtual
`
`carrier sensing. Hence, it is essential to decode the header reliably. In G.9960, which is
`
`incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and should be familiar to those skilled in
`
`the art, the header containing PHYH bits (header information block) is carried over one or
`
`two OFDM symbols (D = 1 or 2), and within each symbol, multiple header information
`
`blocks are repeated over the entire frequency band. (See Editor for G.9960, "ITU-T
`
`1
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`Atty. Docket No.: 8365-87-PCT
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`Recommendation G.9960: Next generation wire-line based home networking
`
`transceivers - Foundation," ITU-T SG15/Q4, Jan. 2009) The default value of Dis 1, but
`
`expanding it to 2 in some cases is under discussion. See, for example, "G.hn: PHY-Frame
`
`Header Extension," ITU Temporary Document ITU-T SG-15/Q4 09CC-046, August 2009,
`
`and ITU Temporary Document ITU-T SG15/Q4 09XC-100 entitled "G.hn: Using Two
`
`Symbols for the Header of PHY Frame on Coax," July, 2009, filed in the priority
`
`application and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
`
`[0005]
`
`The possibility of carrying more than PHYH bits in the header (H = 1 or 2) is
`
`also under discussion as disclosed in the "G.hn: PHY-Frame Header Extension" article and
`
`in "G.hn: Extended PHY Frame Header," ITU-T SG15/Q4 09XC-119, July 2009, filed in the
`
`priority application and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0006]
`
`One exemplary technique discussed herein is allowing different values of Din
`
`a single domain where nodes are operating in different portions of frequency bands. For
`
`the power-line medium, G.9960 has defined two overlapped baseband bandplans,
`
`S0MHz-PB and 100MHz-PB. The possibility of having narrower bandplans such as
`
`25MHz-PB and 12.SMHz-PB are under discussion in order to support, for example,
`
`SmartGrid applications.
`
`[0007]
`
`In this exemplary scenario, the level of frequency diversity is different
`
`depending on the bandplan, hence providing different header decodability if Dis fixed to
`
`1. If Dis fixed to 2, then it increases reliability for the narrowband devices, but may also
`
`unnecessarily increase overhead for the wide-band devices.
`
`[0008]
`
`An exemplary aspect is therefore directed to techniques to accommodate
`
`different repetitions schemes (D = 1, ... , DMAx and H = 1, ... , HMAx) in a single domain, and
`
`still allow devices to communicate with one another. DMAX and HMAX can be 2 or larger
`
`than 2.
`
`[0009]
`
`As illustrated in Fig. 1, various header repetition schemes are illustrated
`
`where D, H = 1 or 2. In Fig. 1, the second instance of a block with the same label is a copy
`
`of the prior block. The modulation of the copied block may not be exactly the same as
`
`the original version. For example, the label "Header Ext" emphasizes the fact that it may
`
`contain different header information than the "Header." The payload after the header
`
`2
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`Atty. Docket No.: 8365-87-PCT
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`may be omitted in some cases (e.g., ACK, RTS/CTS, etc.).
`
`[0010]
`
`The repetition scheme expands similarly with larger values of DMAX and HMAX(cid:173)
`
`An exemplary aspect focuses on dealing with different values of D, with different values
`
`of H capable of being supported in a straightforward way as discussed in the paper G.hn:
`
`PHY-Frame Header Extension.
`
`[0011]
`
`On exemplary aspect is directed toward receiver detection of D with variable
`
`repetition. More specifically, in accordance with this exemplary embodiment, the
`
`transmitter selects (or determines), the at least one D value. The selection may be at its
`
`own discretion, or may be based on information communicated between one or more
`
`receivers, or based on instruction(s) from one or more other receivers and/or a domain
`
`master. Selection may depend on the number of available sub-carriers (or the
`
`bandwidth) of the bandplan the transmitter operates on and/or the receiver(s) operates
`
`on. In accordance with this exemplary embodiment, a receiving node in the domain
`
`should be able to decode packets sent by the transmitter without knowing D a priori (i.e.
`
`prior to decoding the packet header).
`
`[0012]
`
`Another exemplary aspect is for a transmitter to carry, insert or otherwise
`
`communicate the value of Din the header so that all nodes know how many OFDM
`
`symbols are carrying header information. The receiver(s) starts processing the header by
`
`decoding one OFDM header symbol. If the receiver decodes it successfully, then the
`
`receiver knows how many more OFDM symbols (D-1) are carrying header information for
`
`a given frame. If the receiver fails to obtain the header information from the OFDM
`
`header symbol (i.e., the header decoding fails), then the receiver can try to decode two
`
`OFDM header symbols, and so on. The decoding of each additional OFDM header symbol
`
`provides additional diversity thereby increasing the likelihood of decoding the header
`
`information correctly.
`
`[0013]
`
`Another exemplary aspect is directed to a fixed repetition scheme per
`
`domain. More specifically, a domain master can select (or determine) one or more fixed
`
`D values for at least one node in the domain. For example, the domain master may
`
`select one fixed value for all nodes in a domain. Selection may depend on the number of
`
`available sub-carriers (or the bandwidth) of the bandplans that the domain members
`
`operate on. The domain master may change the value of D dynamically. A node in the
`
`domain first needs to determine the D that the domain master has set (or
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`3
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`selected/determined).
`
`[0014]
`
`On exemplary aspect is for the domain master to carry, insert or otherwise
`
`communicate the selected value of Din the header of the MAP frame while also using
`
`this D value for the transmission of the MAP header as described above. In this case, a
`
`node will be able to determine the value of Dusing the methods described above. After
`
`this value is determined by a node, the node can use this value until it is changed or
`
`updated by, for example, a domain master, another transceiver, etc.
`
`[0015]
`
`Another exemplary aspect is for the domain master to carry, insert or
`
`otherwise communicate the selected value of Din the MAP while using a fixed D for the
`
`header of the MAP frame (e.g., pre-defined per medium or DMAx). The D value in the
`
`MAP will be used for non-MAP frames/packets. In this case, a node in the domain may
`
`not need multiple levels of header decode process as described in above. Also in this
`
`exemplary method, the MAP may be sent with a different D value than the D value used
`
`for other (non-MAP) frames/packets.
`
`[0016]
`
`TXOP.
`
`[0017]
`
`Another exemplary aspect is directed toward a fixed repetition scheme per
`
`More specifically, in addition, or alternatively, the domain master may select
`
`(or determine) a D value per TXOP. This selection may be at its own discretion, or based
`
`on information communicated between one or more transceivers or receivers, or based
`
`on instruction from one or more transceivers or receivers. Selection may depend on the
`
`number of available sub-carriers (and/or the bandwidth) of the bandplan the
`
`transmitter/transceiver operates on and/or the receiver(s) operates on.
`
`[0018]
`
`An exemplary technique is to include Din the TXOP descriptor transmitted in
`
`the MAP so that all nodes know in advance what value of Dis used for that TXOP. The
`
`TXOP descriptor is the part of the MAP message which can be communicated via the
`
`MAP frame as discussed above.
`
`[0019]
`
`Any of the above aspects and further aspects may be located in a network
`
`management system or network operation device that is located inside or outside the
`
`network and/or the transceiver(s). The network operation or management device that is
`
`located inside or outside the network may be managed and/or operated by a user,
`
`consumer, service provider or power utility provider, a governmental entity, or the like.
`
`4
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`Atty. Docket No.: 8365-87-PCT
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION ON THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0020]
`
`The exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described in detail, with
`
`reference to the following figures, wherein:
`
`Fig. 1 illustrates exemplary header repetition schemes;
`
`Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary transceiver;
`
`Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary communications environment;
`
`Fig. 4 is a flowchart outlining an exemplary method of a header repetition
`
`[0021]
`
`[0022]
`
`[0023]
`
`[0024]
`
`scheme;
`
`[0025]
`
`Fig. 5 is a flowchart outlining another exemplary method for a header
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`repetition scheme;
`
`[0026]
`
`Fig. 6 is a flowchart outlining yet another exemplary method for a header
`
`repetition scheme;
`
`[0027]
`
`Fig. 7 is a flowchart outlining another exemplary method for a header
`
`repetition scheme; and
`
`[0028]
`
`Fig. 8 is a flowchart outlining another method of an exemplary header
`
`repetition scheme.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0029]
`
`The exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in relation to
`
`communications systems, as well as protocols, techniques and methods for header
`
`repetition, such as in a DSL or multi mode multicarrier communications environment, a
`
`home network or an access network, or in general any communications network
`
`operating using any communications protocol(s). Examples of such home or access
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`networks include home powerline networks, access powerline networks, home coaxial
`
`cable network, access coaxial cable network, wireless home networks, wireless corporate
`
`networks, home telephone networks and access telephone networks. However, it should
`
`be appreciated that in general, the systems, methods, and techniques of this invention
`
`will work equally well for other types of communications environments, networks,
`
`and/or protocols.
`
`[0030]
`
`The exemplary systems and methods of this invention will also be described in
`
`relation to wired or wireless modems and/or a software and/or a hardware testing
`
`module, a telecommunications test device, or the like, such as a DSL modem, an ADSL
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`5
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`Atty. Docket No.: 8365-87-PCT
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`modem, and xDSL modem, a VDSL modem, a line card, a G.hn transceiver, a MOCA
`
`transceiver, a Homeplug® transceiver, a power line modem, a wired or wireless modem,
`
`test equipment, a multicarrier transceiver, a wireless wide/local area network system, a
`
`satellite communications system, a network-based communications systems, such as an
`
`IP, Ethernet or ATM system, a modem equipped with diagnostic capabilities, or the like,
`
`or a separate programmed general purpose computer having a communications device
`
`that is capable of operating in conjunction with any one or more of the following
`
`communications protocols: MOCA, Homeplug, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.3, IEEE 802.16
`
`(WiMAX), and ITU G.9960 (G.hn), or the like. However, to avoid unnecessarily obscuring
`
`the present invention, the following description omits well-known structures, operations
`
`and devices that may be shown in block diagram form or are otherwise summarized or
`
`known.
`
`[0031]
`
`For purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to
`
`provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It should be appreciated
`
`however that the present invention may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond the
`
`specific details set forth herein. Furthermore, while the exemplary embodiments
`
`illustrated herein show various components of this system collocated, it is to be
`
`appreciated that the various components of the system can be located at distant
`
`portions of a distributed network, such as a communications network, node, within a
`
`Domain Master, and/or the internet, or within a dedicated secured, unsecured, and/or
`
`encrypted system and/or within a network operation or management device that is
`
`located inside or outside the network. As an example, a Domain Master can also be used
`
`to refer to any device, system or module that manages and/or configures any one or
`
`more aspects of the network or communications environment.
`
`[0032]
`
`Thus, it should be appreciated that the components of the system can be
`
`combined into one or more devices, or split between devices, such as a modem, a
`
`station, a Domain Master, a network operation or management device, a node or
`
`collocated on a particular node of a distributed network, such as a communications
`
`network. As will be appreciated from the following description, and for reasons of
`
`computational efficiency, the components of the system can be arranged at any location
`
`within a distributed network without affecting the operation thereof. For example, the
`
`various components can be located in a Domain Master, a node, a domain management
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`6
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`device, such as a MIB, a network operation or management device, or some combination
`
`thereof. Similarly, one or more of the functional portions of the system could be
`
`distributed between a modem and an associated computing device/system, and/or in a
`
`dedicated test and/or measurement device.
`
`[0033]
`
`Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links 5, including the
`
`communications channel(s) connecting the elements can be wired or wireless links or any
`
`combination thereof, or any other known or later developed element(s) capable of
`
`supplying and/or communicating data to and from the connected elements. The term
`
`module as used herein can refer to any known or later developed hardware, software,
`
`firmware, or combination thereof, that is capable of performing the functionality
`
`associated with that element. The terms determine, calculate, and compute and
`
`variations thereof, as used herein are used interchangeable and include any type of
`
`methodology, process, technique, mathematical operational or protocol. The terms
`
`transceiver and modem are also used interchangeably herein. The terms transmitting
`
`modem and transmitting transceiver as well as receiving modem and receiving
`
`transceiver are also used interchangeably herein.
`
`[0034]
`
`The term management interface is related to any type of interface between a
`
`management entity and/or technician and/or user and a transceiver, such as, a CO-MIB
`
`or CPE-MIB as described, for example, in ITU standard G.997.1, which is incorporated
`
`herein by reference in its entirety.
`
`[0035]
`
`Moreover, while some of the exemplary embodiments described herein are
`
`directed toward a transmitter portion of a transceiver performing certain functions, this
`
`disclosure is intended to include corresponding receiver-side functionality in both the
`
`same transceiver and/or another transceiver, and vice versa.
`
`[0036]
`
`Fig. 1 illustrates four different header configurations where 0, H, = 1 or 2.
`
`Even more specifically, in the first example, H=l and 0=1 with a preamble followed by a
`
`header followed by a payload. In a second example H=l and 0=2, with the preamble
`
`followed by header 2 that is repeated as header 4, which is followed by the payload. As
`
`discussed, the repeated header can be repeated in full or in part. In the third example,
`
`H=2 and 0=1, such that the preamble is followed by a header which is followed by an
`
`extended header and the payload. In the fourth example, H=2 and 0=2 such that header
`
`6 is repeated as header 8, and the extended header 3 is repeated as extended header 5,
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`7
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`Atty. Docket No.: 8365-