Physical layer transceiver with collision avoidance in high noise and interference environment

Abstract

Systems and methods for using a physical layer transceiver (PHY) of an automobile to avoid data signal collision on a high noise or interference automotive multi-drop communication link are provided. A signal is received at a first PHY via a multi-drop communication link in a high noise or interference automotive environment. The received signal is separated into a first spectral component corresponding to a first logic level and into a second spectral component corresponding to a second logic level. Based on analysis of the first and second spectral components, respectively, a determination is made as to whether a second PHY device is concurrently transmitting data on the link, by determining whether both the first and second logic levels are detected in the first and second spectral components within a threshold period of time of one another. The first PHY device is permitted to transmit, or prevented from transmitting, data via the link based on whether the second PHY device is transmitting data on the link.