Кравчук Василий Анатольевич

Powerline communications (PLC) comes in two forms: in-home powerline communications and broadband over powerline (BPL).

In-home powerline communications (PLC) technology uses the existing electrical wiring and outlets in a home or small business to connect PCs, broadband modems, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, audio/video players, flat screen displays, security cameras and other electronics devices. In effect, every electrical outlet becomes an Ethernet jack or network connection point - without adding any new wires! Consumers can instantly install their own home networks just by plugging their HomePlug-enabled equipment into the wall. Because it is so easy to set up and use, in-home PLC is generally self-installed by consumers. It may also be set up by service providers such as cable, DSL and satellite companies.

Broadband over powerline (BPL), sometimes referred to as "access," uses the electric utility's outside powerlines to deliver broadband Internet service to a home or small business. Accordingly, BPL competes with other broadband Internet subscription delivery services such as cable and DSL. Once the Internet service has reached the home over the outside powerlines, it can be distributed throughout the house over existing electrical wiring just as with in-home PLC. BPL services are generally set up and managed by electric utility companies.

In-home PLC solves real world connectivity problems in four situations:

1. As a complement to wireless

Over the past few years, wireless or "WiFi" networks have soared in popularity. These environments give mobile users the freedom they need. But today's wireless technology also has definite limits - as anyone who's ever wandered out of range with a laptop can attest. Dead zones, interference, and range limits prevent full mobility and frustrate many consumers.

In-home PLC can be used to extend the range of wireless networks by adding WiFi access points in areas with dead spots or weak coverage or by allowing a single access point to be placed in the ideal location in the house that will permit whole-house WiFi coverage. PLC essentially serves as the network backbone, allowing WiFi access points to be placed at the best coverage points in the house. By blending PLC and WiFi, consumers get the best of both: mobility where it's needed plus reliable whole-house connectivity.

2. As an alternative to wireless

Although wireless offers great benefits where mobility is required, wireless technology is seldom the best choice for connecting products that don't need mobility. Compared to wireless, powerline technology is far easier to set up and use, and it provides better range and more reliable whole house coverage. In-home PLC is particularly useful for applications that need real time delivery of streaming audio and video or low-latency connectivity (such as VoIP telephony).

3. As an alternative to new wiring

Running new wires to create a home network or even install a cable or DSL modem can be expensive and disruptive. With powerline technology, the existing wires in the house serve as the network. In-home PLC essentially "lights up" these wires, enabling them to serve as a virtual network that turns every electrical outlet into an Ethernet port or other network connection point.

4. As part of a system of home connectivity

Increasingly, industry participants are recognizing that the best way of achieving reliable whole-house connectivity is to use a mix of networking technologies that best fit the needs of a particular home. Powerline communications can serve as a primary or complementary networking technology. As a complementary technology, PLC offers a simple and cost-effective method of extending the reach or optimizing the placement of WiFi or UWB access points. In this application, PLC serves as the network backbone (just as Ethernet does in enterprise settings) and wireless provides mobility for in-room requirements. PLC also works well in hybrid networks, delivering reliable bandwidth for devices that must be plugged in anyway, and leaving the wireless network free to serve mobile devices. In addition, PLC complements other wire line networks by providing coverage where cable and telephone outlets are not available.

From the consumer's standpoint, in-home PLC couldn't be simpler. To connect or "network" two products that have PLC capability embedded inside (such as a desktop PC and audio streamer), all consumers have do is plug the devices into any two electrical outlets in their home or small business. The power cords provide both electrical power and Internet connectivity. It's instant home networking.

For products that have an Ethernet port but do not have PLC capability embedded inside, consumers can use an Ethernet cable to connect the product to a PLC Ethernet adapter, which is plugged into any convenient electrical outlet in the home. Adding additional products to the network is as easy as plugging them in - either directly for PLC-embedded products or by using an adapter.

The simplicity of the user experience, however, doesn't mean that the underlying technology is simple. In fact, it has taken inventors nearly 100 years to figure out how to use powerlines successfully for this kind of network communication. The biggest challenge was dealing with noise on the powerline - a problem Intellon has solved by utilizing complex signal-processing algorithms built on years of experience in analyzing and characterizing powerlines in real world environments. But because this highly sophisticated technology is transparent to users, consumers can easily install their own home networks without placing support calls to service providers and device manufacturers. As a result, the return rate for PLC-based products averages less than 2% - compared with 30% for wireless network equipment.