CSMA/CA for Channels in Power Line Communication (PLC) Networks

摘要

Embodiments of methods and systems for Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA) with a random backoff time on a Power Line Communication (PLC) network are disclosed. The CSMA/CA method is independent of the algorithm used to update a contention window, so any contention window algorithm is supported. The PLC node runs an energy detection process first and then uses preamble detection only after energy detection is positive, or the node may run both energy detection and preamble detection simultaneously. Upon detection of a possible transmission on a PLC line due to energy detection, the PLC node will freeze a backoff counter decrementing process and will then wait for preamble detection to complete. If no energy is detected on the line, or if no preamble is detected after energy is sensed on the line, then the node will transmit is allowed by the contention window value.