Phy payload over multiple tone masks using single tone mask phy header information

Abstract

A method of communications includes compiling a data frame for physical layer (PHY) by a first communications device at a first communications node on a network. The data frame includes a single tone PHY header portion and a data payload portion in a set of tones including at least one tone having a frequency different from a frequency of the single tone. The PHY header portion includes tone mask identification information identifying the set of tones. The first communications device transmits the data frame over the powerline to a second communications device at a second communications node on the powerline. The second communications device receives the data frame, and decodes the data payload using the tone mask identification information in the PHY header portion.

We claim: 
     
         1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of communications, comprising:
 compiling a data frame for a physical layer (PHY) by a first communications device at a first communications node, said data frame including a single tone PHY header portion and a data payload portion in a set of tones including at least one tone having a frequency different from a frequency of said single tone;   wherein said PHY header portion includes a tone mask field having tone mask identification information identifying said set of tones;   said first communications device transmitting said data frame to a second communications device at a second communications node,   said second communications device receiving said data frame, and   said second communications device decoding said data payload portion using said tone mask identification information.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said tone mask field represents said data tone mask as a bit map only when a data tone mask (DTM) field of said data frame is set to indicate said DTM. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said tone mask identification information is provided as an additional field added to a data frame of a standard that supports multi-tone mask mode operation. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said additional field is in a format comprising a first tone mask, first extension bit, a second tone mask, second extension bit, wherein said additional field ends as soon as one of said extension bits is set to 0. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein said set of tones for said data payload are both at different frequencies when compared to said frequency of said single tone. 
     
     
         31 . A modem for communications at a first node on a communications channel in a network including a second node, comprising:
 a processor;   wherein said processor is communicably coupled to a memory which stores a frame compiling algorithm for compiling a data frame including in a tone mask field within a PHY header portion which represents a data tone mask as a bit map, said tone mask field includes tone mask identification information identifying a set of tones used for a data payload portion of said data frame, wherein said processor is programmed to implement said frame compiling algorithm, said frame compiling algorithm:   compiling said data frame including a single tone frame PHY header portion and said data payload portion in a set of tones including at least one tone having a frequency different from a frequency of said single tone, wherein said PHY header portion includes said tone mask identification information identifying said set of tones,   wherein said modem is configured for coupling to a transceiver to provide said data frame to said transceiver so that said transceiver transmits said data frame over said channel to said second node.   
     
     
         32 . The modem of  claim 31 , wherein said modem is formed on an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a substrate having a semiconductor surface, and wherein said processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP). 
     
     
         33 . The modem of  claim 31 , wherein said tone mask field represents said data tone mask as a bit map only when a data tone mask (DTM) field of said data frame is set to indicate said DTM. 
     
     
         34 . The modem of  claim 31 , wherein said tone mask identification information is provided as an additional field added to a data frame of a standard that supports multi-tone mask mode operation. 
     
     
         35 . The modem of  claim 34 , wherein said additional field is in a format comprising a first tone mask, first extension bit, a second tone mask, second extension bit, wherein said additional field ends as soon as one of said extension bits is set to 0. 
     
     
         36 . The modem of  claim 31 , wherein said set of tones for said data payload are both at different frequencies when compared to said frequency of said single tone. 
     
     
         37 . A communications device, comprising:
 a memory which stores a frame compiling algorithm,   a modem, said modem comprising:
 a processor communicably coupled to said memory, wherein said processor is programmed to implement said frame compiling algorithm, said frame compiling algorithm, comprising:
 compiling a data frame including a single tone frame PHY header portion and a data payload portion in a set of tones including at least one tone having a frequency different from a frequency of said single tone, wherein said PHY header portion having a tone mask field which represents a data tone mask as a bit map, said tone mask field includes tone mask identification information identifying said set of tones used for said data payload portion, and 
 
   a communications transceiver communicably coupled to said modem for transmitting said data frame over a channel to a receiving node.   
     
     
         38 . The communications device of  claim 37 , wherein said modem is formed on an integrated circuit (IC) comprising a substrate having a semiconductor surface, and wherein said processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP). 
     
     
         39 . The communications device of  claim 37 , wherein said tone mask field represents said data tone mask as a bit map only when a data tone mask (DTM) field of said data frame is set to indicate said DTM. 
     
     
         40 . The communications device of  claim 37 , wherein said tone mask identification information is provided as an additional field added to a data frame of a standard that supports multi-tone mask mode operation.