The HomePlug® Powerline Alliance, today announced that STMicroelectronics has joined the alliance’s board of directors. STMicroelectronics, Europe’s leading semiconductor company, brings additional depth to the industry leading HomePlug ecosystem and further validates HomePlug technology as the defacto world standard for high-speed powerline networking.

The HomePlug technology family includes HomePlug AV, the solution for home broadband applications that is baseline technology for the IEEE 1901 standard, ensuring backward interoperability with a large installed base. The new HomePlug “Green PHY” (GP) specification is a low power, cost-optimized powerline networking specification that targets Smart Grid applications such as HVAC, smart meters, home appliances and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles. Products based on HomePlug GP will be fully interoperable with HomePlug AV products. The forthcoming next-generation HomePlug AV2 will deliver Gigabit-class performance while maintaining backwards interoperability.

HomePlug devices account for more than 80 percent of the world's broadband powerline communications market and over 45 million devices have shipped to date. The alliance works with key stakeholders to ensure all of its specifications are designed to meet the requirements of IPTV service providers, power utilities, equipment and appliance manufacturers, consumer electronics and other important stakeholders. HomePlug operates the powerline networking industry's largest Compliance and Interoperability Certification Program to ensure true multi-vendor co-existence and interoperability. The program has certified more than 200 products and will also begin certifying IEEE 1901 products in 2010.

The HomePlug® Powerline Alliance congratulates the IEEE P1901 Working Group on passage of the initial sponsor ballot, paving the way for a global standard for powerline (PLC) networking. The ballot passed with over 80 percent of affirmative votes, which demonstrates the overwhelming industry support behind 1901. Final ratification of the standard is expected in the third quarter of 2010. The advancement of powerline technology to an internationally recognized IEEE standard will provide manufacturers and end-users with the assurance of product interoperability, driving broader adoption of PLC for home networking.

HomePlug AV was used as baseline technology for the IEEE 1901 powerline networking standard. As such, products compliant to 1901 will be interoperable with millions of HomePlug AV products in the market today. The HomePlug Powerline Alliance will serve as the certification body for IEEE 1901 devices in a similar way as the Wi-Fi Alliance™ certifies IEEE 802.11 wireless networking devices.

Due to the maturity of the draft standard, the IEEE is already offering the specification for purchase through its online store, enabling members to now develop Smart Grid applications as well as next-generation broadband solutions that comply with P1901. The HomePlug Alliance is also finalizing the new HomePlug "Green PHY" (GP) specification as a certification profile of IEEE 1901, which will provide a low-power Smart Energy/Smart Grid standard. HomePlug GP will enable the industry's only powerline solutions to meet the IP networking requirements of utility companies and appliance manufacturers.

NuVo Technologies launches its new Music Port Server and Colour Touch Pad at this year’s Integrated Systems Europe 2010, while also inviting visitors to witness its game-changing Renovia whole-home audio system in full operation. NuVo’s new, low-energy Digital Power Amplifier is also exhibited at the show.

NuVo’s new Music Port Server provides up to 4 simultaneous sources, pooling a home’s PC-based audio content, whether in Windows Media Player or iTunes formats, into a comprehensive and easily accessed library, while also allowing for streaming audio from a variety of online services. The Music Port Server incorporates a 320 Gb hard drive and is the ideal auto synchronisation tool for music on a home network. Compatible with NuVo’s Grand Concerto, Essentia E6G, and Renovia systems, the Music Port Server allows any and all networked, compatible computers to become conduits to music through automatic syncing and full system control via the user-friendly, browser-based client software.

Complementing the Music Port Server, the new Colour Touch Pad features a vivid, full colour 3.6” touch LCD display, for intuitive and stunningly attractive control, extending not only the same easy navigation as NuVo’s other control options, but also affording the unique advantages of displaying album art and providing customisation of personal stations with online radio. NuVo’s Colour Touch Pad also offers the additional benefit of zone-to-zone audio control and includes four backlit buttons for fast access to basic system commands.

Scheduled for European launch in 2010, Renovia is a high-quality, easy-to-install and easy-to-use whole home audio system that uses the existing electrical wiring in a home as the infrastructure for delivering audio and metadata from multiple sources, to multiple rooms. Based on HomePlug powerline carrier (PLC) technology, Renovia will offer integrators an exceptional whole home audio solution which is much easier than traditional systems to install in solid wall construction. Visitors to NuVo’s booth can see how Renovia’s form factor allows for a more universally applicable and efficient installation, enabling dealers to deliver a reliable and profitable whole home audio solution to more homes in less time.

Also, on show is NuVo’s Digital Power Amplifier, available first quarter of 2010. This new, lightweight product presents dealers greater installation versatility with a slim, single rack design and selectable ohm rating (4-8 ohm stable). The new 2 x 120 watt amplifier will also appeal to homeowners with ecological concerns, offering an exceptionally high operational efficiency rating and keeping energy consumption below 5 watts in an idle state. A second 4 x 60 watt version is set to be available later in 2010.

An interesting article about HACS and the different wireless systems like Z-Wave, Zigbee / 802.15.4, Wavenis, Power line, Insteon, X10, M-bus, Lonworks, HomePlug, Wi-Fi and DECT / CAT-iq, written by Steven Leussink and René Kohlmann, SiTel Semiconductor B.V. in pddnet.com

Here is part of the article:

Sensor-Actuator Nodes Autonomously For 5 to 10 Years

Building a home network, more than 300 million households worldwide will have one installed by 2011.

The home network market has grown consistently over the last few decades. According to recent research by InStat1, more than 300 million households worldwide will have a home network installed by 2011.

Perhaps the most familiar home networking application areas are computing and computer accessories. Most home computers these days are connected to wired or wireless networks that link them to other computers, printers, network-attached storage (NAS), internet gateways and the like. Similarly, we are using a growing number of accessories such as mice, headsets and keyboards to expand the functionality of computing or mobile devices, connecting them in an ad hoc fashion as and when we need them.

Now a third category of networked devices is about to enter our homes. Focusing on infrastructure applications such as automation, control, security and energy management, this category aims to make our daily lives more comfortable, safer and more energy efficient.

Building a home network, more than 300 million households worldwide will have one installed by 2011.

The home network market has grown consistently over the last few decades. According to recent research by InStat1, more than 300 million households worldwide will have a home network installed by 2011.

Perhaps the most familiar home networking application areas are computing and computer accessories. Most home computers these days are connected to wired or wireless networks that link them to other computers, printers, network-attached storage (NAS), internet gateways and the like. Similarly, we are using a growing number of accessories such as mice, headsets and keyboards to expand the functionality of computing or mobile devices, connecting them in an ad hoc fashion as and when we need them.

Now a third category of networked devices is about to enter our homes. Focusing on infrastructure applications such as automation, control, security and energy management, this category aims to make our daily lives more comfortable, safer and more energy efficient.

Read the full article

At the 2010 International CES, the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance, the world’s leading industry group for powerline network solutions, today announced expected finalization of the HomePlug “Green PHY” (HomePlug GP) specification in the first quarter of 2010. HomePlug GP is a low power, cost-optimized powerline networking specification targeting Smart Grid applications such as HVAC, smart meters, home appliances and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles. HomePlug GP has been developed with direct input from major utility companies like Consumers Energy, Duke Energy, Pacific Gas & Electric, and Southern California Edison to help optimize the specification for real world deployments.

HomePlug GP has ample bandwidth to support critical functionality such as IP networking. Power consumption is estimated to be 75 percent less than an AV chip with similar cost savings projected. Certified chips and products are expected to ship in early 2011. Products based on HomePlug GP will be fully interoperable with both HomePlug AV products. The forthcoming HomePlug AV2 specification, designed for next generation broadband speed applications, maintains this family interoperability. HomePlug GP is developed as a profile of the IEEE 1901 powerline communications standard and will be included in HomePlug’s well-established Compliance and Interoperability Certification Logo program.

HomePlug devices account for 75 percent of the world’s broadband powerline communications market, and over 40 million devices have shipped to date. The Alliance works with key stakeholders to ensure all of its specifications are designed to meet the requirement for interoperability stated by service providers, utilities, equipment and appliance manufacturers, consumer electronics and other important stakeholders. The Alliance operates the powerline networking industry’s largest Compliance and Interoperability Certification Program to ensure true multi-vendor co-existence and interoperability. The program has certified more than 190 products and will also begin certifying IEEE 1901 products in 2010.

The Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA®) and the HomePlug® Powerline Alliance have entered into a formal liaison agreement to facilitate communications and information sharing between both organizations. The two organizations will be coordinating efforts in educational and informational programs and activities that promote new multimedia applications and the benefits of home networking.
 
Each organization is currently developing its own next generation specification, respectively designated as MoCA 2.0 and HomePlug AV2, to offer Gigabit class service with full backward interoperability to their widely deployed technology bases.

Furthermore, HomePlug is developing its new Green PHY spec for Smart Grid applications. All specs are slated for completion in 2010. MoCA, leveraging its existing installed base of coax in the home, is also pursuing incorporation into the Smart Grid Interoperability Guidelines.

The liaison between MoCA and HomePlug is effective immediately.

The HomePlug® Powerline Alliance congratulates the five HomePlug member companies whose employees have been elected as representatives on the Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP) Governing Board at the inaugural meeting of the SGIP, which took place this week in Denver. The SGIP is a new stakeholder forum to provide technical support to the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as it coordinates standards for a modernized electric power system. The meeting concluded yesterday with election of 20 members to its governing board.

Of the 20 board members, representatives from five HomePlug member companies – George Bjelovuk from American Electric Power; Wayne Longcore from Consumers Energy; Brent Hodges from Reliant Energy; John McDonald from GE Energy; and Paul De Martini from Southern California Edison – as well as Mark McGranaghan from HomePlug liaison organization Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) were voted to the board. 

The Smart Grid is a key focus for the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, and at the center of the alliance’s Smart Grid developments for the upcoming year is HomePlug’s forthcoming “Green PHY” (HomePlug GP) specification, which was recently named in the NIST report on Smart Grid interoperability standards roadmap. HomePlug GP is a reduced complexity interoperable profile of the IEEE 1901 draft standard for cost sensitive Smart Grid applications, tailored to the requirements of utility companies for home-area networks. HomePlug GP was founded upon interoperability, and products based on HomePlug GP will be interoperable with all HomePlug AV and IEEE 1901 products while dramatically reducing cost and power consumption. The alliance is developing HomePlug GP with input from major utility companies as the Smart Grid communications protocol for connecting home appliances such as HVAC and smart meters to utility companies for Smart Grid applications. Finalization of the standard is expected in Q1 2010 with products shipping later in the year.

HomePlug® Powerline Alliance and ZigBee® Alliance  today announced public availability of the next generation market requirements for Smart Energy and supporting use cases.  Smart Energy enables both wired and wireless communication between utility companies and everyday household devices such as smart thermostats and appliances. Captured in the market requirements document are details for the next generation of functionality envisioned for the Smart Grid with accompanying consumer control.  It includes insight to a variety of use cases including plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) charging, installation, configuration, firmware download for home area network (HAN) devices, prepay services, user information and messaging, load control, demand response, and common information and application profile interfaces for wired and wireless HANs.

The Smart Energy market requirements document is available for review at the site. It was jointly developed by ZigBee Alliance members, HomePlug Powerline Alliance members, utilities, regulators, suppliers and technology providers as a foundation for an enhanced ZigBee Smart Energy profile and as the basis for global standards development by other organizations.  On May 18, the ZigBee/HomePlug Smart Energy profile was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as an initial interoperable standard for HAN devices and communications and information model.  

The development of the Smart Energy profile drew upon the collective experience of members involved in the current development and deployment of the existing wireless ZigBee Smart Energy standard. Certified products and services based on this standard are available for use today from a variety of ZigBee members.  The standard is supported by a comprehensive certification process that delivers secure, robust, reliable, plug and play interoperability with advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and Smart Grid applications.  

The HomePlug Powerline Alliance is the leading industry group in the development of multivendor, global standards and certification for powerline communications.  With more than 70 percent of the cumulative worldwide market share (per recent reporting from In-Stat), HomePlug technology is rapidly becoming a key element of the Smart Energy HAN and is already being integrated into AMI applications by utilities and meter manufacturers in the U.S. and Europe.