Coexistence of Prime, S-FSK and G3 Devices in Powerline Communications

A method for reducing interference on a shared communication medium, comprising:

• generating, in a base node operating under a first standard, a data frame designating a contention-free period according to the first standard;
• withholding assignment of the contention free period from all nodes operating on the communication medium with the base node under the first standard;
• allowing devices operating under a second standard to transmit during the contention-free period;
• and
• transmitting data on the communication medium, by the base node operating under the first standard, at the end of the contention-free period.

A system for communicating on a channel shared by devices operating under multiple standards, comprising:

• a base node operating under a first communication standard;
• and
• a plurality of modems operating under the first communications standard;
• wherein the base node operates to generate a data frame complying with the first communication standard, the data frame further comprising header data according to a second communication standard at the start of the data frame.

A system for communicating on a channel shared by devices operating under multiple standards, comprising:

• a base node operating under a first communication standard;
• and
• a plurality of modems operating under the first communications standard;
• wherein the base node operates to generate and transmit a data frame that designates a contention-free period for the shared channel according to the first communication standard, and
• wherein the base node withholding assignment of the contention free period from the plurality of modems to allow devices operating under a second communication standard to transmit on the shared channel during the contention-free period.