Reconfiguration of power line communication networks based on initialization algorithms in MAC layer

In broad band power line communication (PLC) access networks, the data link is liable to be destroyed due to the ad hoc characters of the power line channel and the limitations of present MAC algorithms. A novel initialization algorithm in MAC layer is proposed to realize the reconfiguration of data link in PLC networks. The Two-Step initialization strategy for the reconfiguration is studied, and the hierarchical initialization algorithm of the reconfiguration with its performance is given in n-known nodes and multi sub-carriers PLC access networks. The cycle period for the acknowledgment of the nodes is discussed as well as the assignment of time-slot. Experiments results show that the data link reconfiguration can be accomplished with the proposed algorithm.