Carrier based backwards compatible data networking transmitter, receiver, and signal format

Abstract

New version packet data devices support a backwards-compatible signal format. New version devices operate within a first frequency band while old version devices operate within a second frequency band. The first frequency band differs from but overlaps with the second frequency band. The new version devices may operate on a first carrier frequency (within the first frequency band) while old version devices may operate at a second carrier frequency (within the second frequency band). The new version devices and / or the old version devices may also support carrier-less modulations. Preamble, header, and trailer portions of a new version signal include a plurality of spectral copies of a baseband modulated signal. One or more of these spectral copies of the baseband modulated signal is / are indistinguishable from corresponding components of an old version signal. The payload of the new version signal may be formed in the same manner or may be formed in have a wider bandwidth, higher data rate format.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO PRIORITY APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Regular application Ser. No. 10 / 077,653, filed Feb. 15, 2002, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,242,732, which is a continuation-in-part of: (1) U.S. Regular application Ser. No. 09 / 971,407, filed Oct. 5, 2001, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,907,086, which is a continuation of U.S. Regular application Ser. No. 09 / 169,552 filed Oct. 9, 1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,311; and (2) U.S. Regular application Ser. No. 09 / 585,774, filed Jun. 2, 2000, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,625,459, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to communications; and more particularly to packet data network communications. 2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Packet data networks, their structure, and their operation are generally known. Examples of packet data networks include Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area Netw...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables seamless coexistence of old and new version devices on the same network, allowing for higher data rates and simplified hardware development, reducing costs by using the same receiver and transmitter structures for both versions.

Problems solved by technology

However, inherent incompatibility typically exists between network devices supporting old versions of the standard as compared to network devices supporting new versions of the standard.

Unfortunately, upgrading from an old version of the standard to a new version of the standard requires the purchase of additional hardware and / or software that may be significantly expensive.

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