Powerline Update

2002 Update on the Powerline Industry

PLC Technology Developers

The following section provides an overview and introduction to key PLC Technology Developers, worldwide, with links to their websites.

Adaptive

“Adaptive Networks' High-Speed Powerline Communications will soon be commercially available In low cost silicon for the Home Networking Market.”

Alcatel - www.alcatel.com

“As a world leader in the high speed access and optical transportmarket, Alcatel is a major player in the area of telecommunications and the Internet.”

Ambient

“Ambient Corporation focuses on Powerline Telecommunications (PLT) technology and a variety of exciting new Consumer and Utility applications.”

Amperion

“Amperion, Inc., is the premier medium voltage powerline networking equipment company developing networking hardware and software that enables the delivery of high-speed broadband data over medium-voltage power lines (MV-PLC).”

Ascom - www.ascom.com

“The Powerline technology currently transmits data at 4.5 Megabits per second (Mbps) via the electricity supply grid, provides permanent high speed access to the Internet (always online) from every mains voltage supply socket in buildings and makes broadband capacity cost-efficiently available over the “last mile”.”

Blue2Space - www.blue2space.com

“Blue2Space is a wireless communications company founded in 2000 and situated in Stockholm, Sweden. Blue2Space develop and market hardware and software solutions for networking within the Bluetooth standard, providing a complete family of services and products.”

Cisco Systems - www.cisco.com

“By joining Internet Home Alliance, Cisco will be able to build on the company's vision to provide consumers anywhere, anytime Internet access in the home. The Internet Home Alliance is the ecosystem enabler that will help to make the Internet lifestyle a reality. Cisco, along with other Alliance members, will benefit from the industry growth fuelled by this initiative.”

Cogency

“Cogency's powerline integrated circuits are an inexpensive, scalable, robust, and high performance solution for creating products with home networking capabilities. The OFDM technology used by Cogency, addresses the challenges presented by using AC powerlines as a vehicle for data communications.”

Corinex

“Use existing electrical outlets to create Local Area Network connectivity to share information between several computers, to share printers and to safely connect private network to the rest of the world over the Internet. With Corinex PowerNet devices, all of this is quickly and easily achieved.”

Cyan Technology - www.cyantechnology.com

“Cyan Technology is developing a range of microcontrollers specifically intended for use in products that need to communicate with each other. Cyan Technology's unique devices are making consumer products possible at previously unachievable prices. Cyan is focussing on the high growth markets of gateways; Internet enabled devices and communications in the home/office.”

Datasoft - www.datasoft.at

“DATASOFT system GmbH presents POWERLINE - the communication network of the future!”

Domosys Corporation - www.domosys.com

“The PowerBus technology is a two-way, peer-to-peer communication protocol for control networks. It allows everyday devices to exchange information with each other over a shared medium for the purpose of performing control type applications, such as turning lights on off and monitoring the state of appliances. PowerBus™ technology supports communication over the AC power line, DC power line and twisted pair media. A PowerBus™ network is Internet-ready.”

DS2

“DS2 PLC technology opens up the power of the electricity networks to high-speed data services. DS2's proprietary technology can be adapted for use in the access or LAN segments of the PLC market.”

Easyplug - www.easyplug.com

“Using Powerline Technologies, Easyplug can provide solutions to people who want to enhance or renew their home with no new wire, simply using the existing electrical infrastructure, available in any home.”

Echelon - www.echelon.com

“Echelon's PLT-22 power line transceiver has been field proven in appliance, meter reading, home automation, lighting, and energy control applications worldwide. This technology employs advanced digital signal processing and error correction techniques to ensure reliable signalling.”

ECI Telecom - www.ecitele.com

“ECI Telecom is a provider of integrated network solutions for digital communications and data transmission systems. The Company designs, develops, manufactures, markets and supports end-to-end digital telecommunications solutions for today's new services and converging networks.”

Eichhoff - www.eichhoff.de

“In order to support the success of PLC-technology, Eichhoff has developed a range of components to increase transmission performance of PLC-signals.”

Elcon - www.elcon-system.de

“Serving both network users and providers, ELCON Systemtechnik GmbH designs, manufactures and supplies telecommunication equipment.”

Endesa - www.endesa.se

“Endesa is conducting tests with two different technologies (1.5 and 50 Mbytes/sec) for the transmission of voice and data through its electrical networks, which will enable the provision of services to domestic customers and smalland medium enterprises, the installation of digital measuring systems, etc.”

Enikia

“Enikia's standards-based, highly integrated powerline solutions support audio, video, voice and data over the existing powerline infrastructure.”

Görlitz - www.goerlitz.ag

“The PLC transmission technology from GÖRLITZ AG operates in the supply area of a utility's low-voltage island in exactly the same way with a passive (unfeeded) cable system.”

HP - www.hp.com

“The HP and RCA Systemlink home networking kit - a powerline system that enables home PC networking using existing electrical wires and outlets, thus eliminating the need to run new wiring.”

Inari - www.inari.com

“Inari's Powerline Networking Technology (PNT) is best suited to meet the unique requirements of a home network. Specifically, Inari's PNT is scalable from low speed to very high speeds allowing manufacturers to add the appropriate amount of networking functionality and cost to any device in the home. It also offers quality of service to ensure that devices containing voice, audio and videoapplications are able to operate without interruptions.”

Intellon

“Intellon Corp is now shipping the home networking industry's first standards-based powerline chipset. The immediate availability of the INT5130 chipset provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of consumer products a faster, more reliable solution that is backed and supported by over 80 leading companies.”

IntraCoastal - www.intracoastal.net

“Utilizing Spread Spectrum Technology, IntraCoastal's proprietary PLC Technology allows reliable data transmission over existing power lines with low power consumption and high anti-interferance capability.”

Joohong - www.joohong.co.kr

“JOOHONG Information & Communications Ltd. is a leading developer of technologies that enhance broadband systems and solutions over multiple network environments. Using the experience with the first-generation of high-speed data over cable products, JOOHONG is now designing and developing products based on Bluetooth, IMT, ATM NIC, and PLC.”

Lína - www.lina.net

“The purpose of the company is to offer general telecommunications services, emphasizing data transmission and permanent Internet connectionsin residential areas. The company is to utilize the resources of Reykjavik Energy and state-of-the-art technology for data transmission over the power grid.”

Main.net

“Main.net has established itself as a world leader in providing fully integrated solutions for High Speed Power Line Communication (PLC) products which provide telecommunication services over the low-voltage power-line grid. The company has developed, and is currently producing, an innovative solution, that combines both the Home Network and the Access (“The Last Mile Solution”) of Powerline communications into one system, compatible with the latest PLC standards.”

Metricom Corporation - www.metricom-corp.com

“Metricom Corporation designs Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Metricom also provide customers with both Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and ASIC design services.”

MVV - mvv.de

“MVV has already successfully tested the technology to transmit data and voice mail via its electric power grid throughout its service area and has thus assumed market leadership. Today, 200 private customers in the Niederfeld district of Mannheim have already started using the power grid to access the Internet. As of the coming year, Powerline Service will be offered Mannheim-wide.”

nSine

“nSine's robust high-speed solutions are extremely low cost, making it economic to embed internet connectivity into mass-market appliances as well as to network home PCs. By delivering reliable high bandwidth performance at a costusually associated with low data rate technologies, nSine allows the rapid adoption of a single powerline solution for all applications.”

NAMS - www.matimop.or.il

“NAMS is ranked as a technological leader in energy measurement, PLC applications, prepayment systems, and remote metering via a variety of interfaces.”

Phonex

“Phonex is first in the USA market with voice and data technology over the power lines; Phonex was also first in Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Phonex has announced the very first 14 Mbps Ethernet-compatible product over the powerline, with many more announcements to follow.”

Polytrax - www.polytrax.com

“Polytrax has developed a digital PLC solution which offers ISDN speed while complying with the CENELEC standard: the PolyTrax technology.”

Power Line Networks - www.plninc.com

“Power Line Networks has developed and patented a technology that enables the use of the AC power line for communications between electronic devices in homes and small offices.Using this technology, Power Line Networks is developing a family of power line adapters (PLA's). These PLA'swill serve as power line network connectivity devices compatible with, and transparent to, standard and emerging network communications protocols.”

PowerNet - www.powernetsys.com

“PowerNet has advanced a unique approach for a standard networking system. The PC-Less Adapter provides interoperability of networking protocols and systems. The PC-Less Adapter integrates network adapters with stand-alone communication modules, which facilitate video, voice and data sources over the power-line at data rates of up to 10Mbps.”

Powertec - www.powertec-ag.de

“With more than 750,000 used products in the field Home Automation, Facility Management and Security the powertec AG benefits from its 10-year-lasting experience in the powerline-technology. Among the communication via the electricity lines other core activities are the development and use of systems for a remote meter reading, for a lighting system steering, for a facility management and for a tunnel security.”

ProSyst - www.prosyst.com

“ProSyst is a leading provider of Service Gateway software, offering the most complete solution for the delivery of network-based services, enabling a host of new control, information, measurement and entertainment services in any kind of networks.”

Redcom - www.redcom.com

“Redcom engages in research and development of digital switching systems and related test equipment, along with software development.”

RWE - www.rwe-powerline.de

“RWE Power Net offers - High Speed Internet via a Plug & Play enabled modem - Transmission rate of up to 2 Mbps - Up to 30 times faster than ISDN - Internet access through any socket in the home - “Always on” - without inconvenient dial-ups - No need for complicated wiring and additional installations - Surf the World Wide Web while you make telephone calls over the fixed-lines network - 24-hour support at the telephone hotline.”

Sage Systems - www.aladn.com

“Aladn™ (Autonomous Local Area Distributed Network) is a revolutionary new networking technology that uses existing electrical wires to connect everyday devices and appliances to each other and the Internet. Via the Aladn Internet Gateway, Aladn-enabled devices can be remotely controlled and monitored and report energy consumption, usage patterns, status and health to maximize energy savings, comfort and security. The Energy Management Suite of Aladn smart products includes electric meter, thermostat, light switch, electric outlet, PC interface and Internet Gateway.”

Schlumberger - www.ask.slb.com

“The Multi-Energy Telemanagement System (ETS-ME) realizes the benefits of Power Line Carrier technology to allow multi-energy utilities and building administrators a flexible and cost-effective communication channel using the existing distribution network.”

SELTA - www.selta.com

“Since 1972 SELTA has provided communication and automation solutions for business communication, corporate networks, TLC operators and Utilities.”

Tality - www.tality.com

“Leveraging extensive PLC design experience, the E-Controls team can provide high performance, low cost designs supporting flexible industrial automation solutions.”

Teamcom - www.teamcom.no

“Traditionally, Power Line Carrier (PLC) on high voltage lines is extensively used, and Teamcom AS is on the leading edge with their Digital PLC, A.C.E.32.”

Ubicom - www.ubicom.com

“Ubicom is the leading supplier of the Internet Processors and networking software that will connect billions of electronic devices to the Internet. Ubicom's silicon platform and the software modules create new opportunities for connectivity among devices and humans. By shifting connectivity and control functions from silicon to software, OEM customers get to production faster, at lower cost.”

WSW - www.wsw-group.com

“Custom system and product design, engineering, production (hardware and software) and sales of power line communication, control and data acquisition in automation and installation, for power control in lightning (including hard to dim lamp versions), for heating, motion and actuation loads.”

Xeline - www.xeline.com

“Xeline will create a new world of power line communication and brand new Internet access! Now Xeline is bringing powerline communication products to the market for the first time after successfully developing the modem for powerline communications.”

Yitran (formerly ITRAN)

“ITRAN offers a wide spectrum of broadband and narrowband solutions aimed at home networking, residential access and home automation markets. Yitran delivers advanced, extremely reliable, low-cost, high-speed home networking components for the implementation of broadband and narrowband control networks overpower lines. ITRAN also develops an advanced line of reliable long-distance components that enable transmission control, telemetry and low-speed data transmission.”