Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a communication system that facilitates monitoring communications associated with a second particular device, where a group of devices operate in a premises, where a first subset of the group of devices communicate directly with a monitoring device located at the premises via a local area network of the premises, where a second subset of the group of devices do not communicate directly with the monitoring device, where the first subset of the group of devices includes the first particular device, and where the second subset of the group of devices includes the second particular device. The communications can be analyzed to detect an anomaly associated with the second particular device. A plurality of messages can be transmitted, via the local area network, to the monitoring device over a time period indicating the anomaly. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Systems and methods for setting a carrier-sensing mechanism in a PLC node are disclosed. In a PLC standard, coexistence is achieved by having the nodes detect a common preamble and backing off by a Coexistence InterFrame Space (cEIFS) time period to help the node to avoid interfering with the other technologies. In one embodiment, a PHY primitive is sent from the PHY to the MAC know that there has been a preamble detection. A two-level indication may be usedone indication after receiving the preamble and other indication after decoding the entire frame. The MAC sets the carrier-sensing mechanism based on the preamble detection.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, a communication device with a group of radio devices connected with a support structure, where the support structure is positioned in and passes through housing openings in each radio device to provide a stacked arrangement. One or more radio device is rotatable with respect to the support structure to enable adjusting a first orientation of a directional antenna therein. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A control system for controlling a power line network having a power line, at least one electric appliance and at least one controller includes a central control unit, configured to realize programmable controls over the appliance by the controller with signals transmitted through the power line. An on-site control unit includes at least one modulator and at least one demodulator coupled with the central control unit. Each modulator is configured, upon receiving a first control signal from the controller, to generate and transmit a second control signal to the central control unit that is configured, upon receiving the second control signal, to generate and transmit a third control signal to the demodulator. Each demodulator is configured, upon receiving the third control signal, to generate and transmit a fourth control signal to the appliance.

An intake air heating system for a vehicle includes: an air heater configured to heat air an intake system of an engine; an air heater control module configured to selectively apply power to the air heater via a power conductor; and a voltage sensor and communication module configured to: measure a voltage on terminals of the air heater; and transmit an indicator of the voltage to the air heater control module on the power conductor, where the air heater control module is further configured to: receive the indicator via the power conductor; determine a resistance of the air heater based on the voltage on the terminals of the air heater and a current through the air heater; and apply power to the air heater based on the resistance of the air heater.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, supplying an alternating voltage waveform to a winding coupled to a magnetic core of an inductive power supply to regulate an alternating magnetic flux in the magnetic core. The alternating voltage waveform can be generated by selectively enabling one or more switches coupled to a storage device. The subject disclosure may further include configuring the one or more switches according to a configuration during a portion of a period of the alternating voltage waveform, and measuring a characteristic of an alternating current flowing in a conductor coupled to the magnetic core during the portion of the period of the alternating voltage waveform. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Systems and methods are disclosed for intelligent power supply for user devices. An example transformer may comprise a plurality of output terminals. Each of the output terminals may be associated with a different voltage. A regulator device may be in communication with the transformer and with a user device. The regulator device may determine a power requirement of the user device. Based on the power requirement of the user device, the regulator device may determine one of the output terminals of the transformer. The regulator device may cause output, to the user device and from the determined output terminal, of a signal.

Embodiments of methods and systems for supporting coexistence of multiple technologies in a Power Line Communication (PLC) network are disclosed. A long coexistence preamble sequence may be transmitted by a device that has been forced to back off the PLC channel multiple times. The long coexistence sequence provides a way for the device to request channel access from devices on the channel using other technology. The device may transmit a data packet after transmitting the long coexistence preamble sequence. A network duty cycle time may also be defined as a maximum allowed duration for nodes of the same network to access the channel. When the network duty cycle time occurs, all nodes will back off the channel for a duty cycle extended inter frame space before transmitting again. The long coexistence preamble sequence and the network duty cycle time may be used together.

A correct commutation is realized even if a communication error occurs due to a change in an actuator drive current. An electronic control unit that includes a communication section outputting a control signal and that can transmit the control signal to an actuator connected to the electronic control unit via a power line, includes an actuator operation detection section. When the actuator operation detection section detects an actuator operation, the communication section retransmits the control signal at timing of detecting the actuator operation.

A device with a plug attachment; a power plug extending from the plug attachment; adjustable power tongs; a fastening mechanism configured to fasten the power plug to the adjustable power tongs; a plug attachment cover operationally connected to the adjustable power tongs; electronic components coupled to the power plug through which power is provided from a power source to the electronic components, the electronic components causing the plug-in network device to function as a wireless access point (WAP).