Motorola to Use Intellon Homeplug for its PowerlineLV BPL Solution
[August 24, 2005]
Intellon Corporation, a developer of powerline networking and controls technology developer, has been selected as the supplier of HomePlug technology for Motorola, a leading player in the set-top and interactive TV markets. Motorola is utilizing Intellon's HomePlug 1.0 INT5200 chipset as a key component of Powerline LV [low-voltage], an end-to-end Broadband over Powerline [BPL] solution for the utility market.
Powerline LV combines Intellon's HomePlug technology with Motorola's successful Canopy Broadband Internet Platform, using wireless to bring the broadband signal to a utility pole near the customer's home, and low-voltage powerline communications to bring the signal into the home. According to the company, the combination of wireless and powerline communications results in a very attractive way for utility companies to enter the BPL market.
Powerline LV is the first wireless-to-low voltage powerline solution for widespread commercial use. The new solution offers significant benefits to utilities and their customers, particularly in rural markets, where broadband access may be limited due to the long distances and low population densities in those areas. Only three pieces of equipment are needed to connect a customer to the broadband network: the Powerline LV access point cluster, an integrated antenna and bridge router, and an Intellon-enabled modem.
Leveraging HomePlug technology from Intellon, Powerline LV also offers utilities and their customers the cost and performance benefits of proven, standards-based powerline communications. It has lower installation and maintenance costs, allowing utilities to bring broadband service to more customers. It is also scalable, allowing utilities to target specific areas for broadband service delivery, without requiring a full network build out.
According to the New Millennium Research Council, BPL is emerging as a viable competitor in the broadband access market. Utility companies are deploying the technology to provide broadband services via the power grid that connects virtually every home. As many as 13 million U.S. households are unable to receive broadband services from traditional cable modem or DSL service providers.
Intellon's standards-based HomePlug 1.0 technology is an important part of the Powerline LV solution. With a stable, robust transmission protocol supporting rates up to 14Mbps, it allows utilities to provide an effective solution necessary to meet customer broadband requirements. Motorola anticipates upgrading the Canopy platform through the addition of Intellon's recently announced HomePlug 1.0 with Turbo INT5500CS chipset. With transmission rates up to 85Mbps, the INT5500CS will provide significantly improved performance over the legacy HomePlug 1.0 solution.
Using Intellon's INT5200 HomePlug 1.0 solution, Motorola has also included additional notch filtering of the Amateur Radio bands. This was done to ensure compliance to recent FCC rulings. Intellon's chipset is fully compliant with the industry-leading HomePlug 1.0 specification, allowing co-existence with current HomePlug 1.0 devices, while ensuring that Motorola's Powerline LV solution will not conflict with the HomePlug 1.0 devices in use by consumers in their homes today.
Intellon is a powerline-based communications and networking technology for enabling consumers to share Internet connections, stream digital audio and video, and network devices using existing power outlets. Intellon's PowerPacket technology has been selected by the HomePlug Powerline Alliance as the basis for its industry specification 1.0. Its intellectual property is protected by a significant patent portfolio.
The company is located in Ocala [Florida]. It is privately held and its investors include Comcast Interactive Capital, Duchossois TECnology Partners, EnerTech Capital, Fidelity Ventures, Hydro-Quebec CapiTech, Liberty Associated Partners, Philips Venture Capital Fund, TL Ventures and UMC Capital Corporation.
The Motorola Broadband Communications Sector was created when General Instrument Corporation [GI] was acquired by Motorola in January 2000. Combining GI's leadership in converged voice, video, and data networks with Motorola's global reach and brand identity, the Motorola Broadband Communications Sector focuses on broadband solutions that deliver interactive television, the Internet, and telephone services over wired and wireless networks.
Motorola, Inc. is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions.
The company, headquartered in Schaumburg [Illinois], has global operations. Its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol: MOT.
Copyright © 2005 V-TECH, inc. All Rights Reserved