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| EMagazine Volume 5 Issue 4 Aug / Sep 2000 |
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Toys Interview - August 2000 - [HTI Home Page] |
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HomeToys Interview In 2001 we will likely see HomePlug PC networking products first (internal cards, USB devices etc.) followed shortly after by Residential Gateways that will support HomePlug thus providing broadband internet access over the powerline network in the home. By early 2002 consumer electronic products such as Webpad TV etc. will begin to emerge. |
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Question 1: What is the
purpose of the HomePlug Alliance and what benefit will it bring to the industry
and the consumer?
Answer 1: Our vision and mission statement is to provide high speed Home Networking (including Internet Access and Multimedia Distribution) via the home powerline. This will provide the consumer with more choices and extend the reach of home networking.
Question 2: What makes HomePlug different from other Powerline Networking Standards such as CEBus etc.
Answer 2: CEBus and others are home control and automation standards providing low data rates for control of lighting, appliances etc. The HomePlug standard provides for 10 MBS (megabits per second) network speeds. Our focus is on 4 key areas namely PC Networks, Gaming, Consumer Electronic Networks and Voice over IP.
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Answer 3: This is the primary reason that the HomePlug Alliance was formed. During 1999 is was decided that there should be a common specification for powerline networks to avoid conflicts and confusion. The alliance has grown from 13 original members in March 2000 to 44 members today. To accomplish our goals in such a short time we started by generating the Marketing Requirements Document (MRD = a wish list): a document listing the features and requirements that a powerline technology should have to address the key 4 markets that HomePlug would like to serve We then surveyed 20 powerline technology companies internationally and invited them to participate to the HomePlug Technology Selection Process to present their technologies so that we could choose the one that came the closest to satisfying the MRD. 6 companies participated in the 2 month Technology Selection process that included theoretical analysis as well as validating lab and field tests. The scores were tallied and the winning technology chosen. The result will be a common specification Additionally HomePlug will have a certification Lab and process to ensure compliance and interoperability among products from multiple vendors.
Question 4: What year 2000 HomePlug products will be available to the consumer?
Answer 4: Today we are working on the baseline technology and the specification will be completed by December 2000. That translates to silicon in early 2001 and the first product introductions in Quarter 1 or 2 of 2001.
Question 5: What is the expected cost for setting up a HomePlug home network? Will special expertise be required? What data rates will be achieved?
Answer 5: The cost of HomePlug networking equipment should be no different than that of other media such as HomePNA or Wireless. It will probably start out a bit more expensive as any new product technology does and decrease in cost as volumes increase. No special expertise is required. In fact it should be easier to network with HomePlug as the consumer will only need to plug into one outlet (the powerline) rather than 2 (powerline + phoneline etc.) as with other network equipment. Data rates will be in the 10 MBS ethernet class.
Question 6: Can different powerline protocols co-exist in a home? For example will a consumer still be able to use X10 products while adopting a new standard for higher speed network requirements?
Answer 6: Yes. In fact this was one of the original requirement that was established for the specification. X10, CEBus, Lonworks etc. will not be affected by HomePlug equipment.
Question 7: What home devices will realistically be networked on the powerline in the near future? Will we see powerline entertainment networks?
Answer 7: In 2001 we will likely see HomePlug PC networking products first (internal cards, USB devices etc.) followed shortly after by Residential Gateways that will support HomePlug thus providing broadband internet access over the powerline network in the home. By early 2002 consumer electronic products such as Webpad TV etc. will begin to emerge. As far as entertainment networks on the powerline ... the answer is yes. In the beginning this will be in the form of streaming audio and video with the PC as a home entertainment server. Within 2 or 3 years data rates will increase to provide high speed video as well.
Question 8: Have a look in your crystal ball and tell us what to expect over the next 5 years in the way of home automation and networking advances.
Answer 8: 5 years is a long time in this industry. 70 years ago there were no pipes, ducts or wires in the home. I remember my parents telling me about being excited to have a bathroom in their home. Now the average house has 2 or 3 plus heating, electricity etc. Over the next 5 years the home network will become an ordinary part of everyday life. This will add quality and convenience just as the indoor sink did for previous generations. Within 10 years we will see broadband communications and networking everywhere. The distinction between Home Automation and Home Networking will dissolve and the technology will be as invisible as electricity. Just as we don't worry too much about the amperage of an appliance when we plug it in today ... neither will be concerned with data rates or network protocols in the future.
Alberto Mantovani has served as president of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance since its inception in March 2000.
Along with serving as the President and Chairman of the HomePlug Board of Directors, Alberto is actively serving in the HomePlug Marketing Working Group and Liaisons Working Group. As the official HomePlug spokespersons, Alberto briefs all media and analysts regarding the Alliance.
Alberto is the Division Director of Strategic Programs for Conexant's Personal Computing Division. In his current position, Mantovani is responsible for developing business alliances, technology licensing and investments for the division. Mantovani also chairs Conexant's Digital Home initiative.
Before joining Conexant in 1992, he held several engineering and management positions at companies such as Olivetti and AT&T Microelectronics. Mantovani holds degrees in engineering electronics from ITIS OMAR - Novara and from Politecnico di Milano University, both in Italy.
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