January 25, 2010

JANUARY 25, 2010 -- HomeGrid Forum today announced that the next-generation wired networking standard -- G.hn -- achieved two new milestones at the most recent meeting of the United Nation's International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T) held in Geneva, Switzerland.

 

At the meeting, the data link layer (DLL) achieved consent joining the physical layer and coexistence protocol to essentially complete the standard, enabling manufacturers to rapidly bring production semiconductors to market. In addition, the smart grid profile was advanced by the ITU specifically for use in low-complexity applications, including home control and automotive, where G.hn can now be used in plug-in electric vehicles.

 

The G.hn standard is designed to deliver a unified technology for wired networking that addresses key issues of service providers, electronics manufacturers, utilities, auto makers, and consumers alike. With the Physical Layer, DLL and coexistence protocols essentially complete, G.hn will unify the networking of content and devices over any of wire -- phone line, power line and coax cable. With G.hn, service providers will be able to deploy new offerings, including IPTV, more cost effectively. Consumer electronics manufacturers will be able to provide powerful devices for connecting all types of entertainment, home automation, and security products throughout the house. Smart Grid devices such as electricity meters, heating and air conditioning systems, electrical appliances, and lighting systems will benefit from the reliability, security and low-power consumption provided by the G.hn standard.

"It's exciting to see how rapidly the G.hn standard has evolved to meet the needs of a very dynamic market," says Matthew Theall, president of HomeGrid Forum. "G.hn was originally seen as a multimedia networking technology, and was developed to address that significant market opportunity. Now, thanks to cooperation from throughout the industry, and from ITU and HomeGrid member companies, G.hn is able to address an even broader range of applications and has the potential to enable billions of consumer devices, computers, energy management products, and even automobiles with next-generation connectivity."

 

At the ITU-T Valencia meeting held last fall, the G.hn workgroup further refined the definition of a Smart Grid profile targeted at applications including plug-in electric vehicles and home control. This low-complexity profile identifies a minimum set of G.hn parameters and specifications for applications including automobiles and home control. This profile makes it possible for manufacturers to develop products that deliver the low-power consumption, low cost, performance, reliability, and security that is required for the targeted applications. The profile specifies minimum requirements for features including: signal bandwidth, data modulation methods, transmitter linearity requirements, and Forward Error Correction (FEC), while maintaining interoperability with fully-featured G.hn products.

 

 

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