MStar Semiconductor joins HomePlug Powerline Alliance and board of directors

PORTLAND, USA: The HomePlug Powerline Alliance, the world's leading industry group for powerline network standards, announced that MStar Semiconductor is now a Sponsor member and has joined its Board of Directors.

MStar, a world-class leader in Application Specific ICs ("ASIC") with a focus on consumer electronic products and communication applications, has a strong brand and leadership position in Digital TV and the rapidly growing Set-Top Box market. MStar recently acquired SPiDCOM’s PLC technology and highly skilled team. HomePlug powerline technology enables a home’s electrical wires to distribute broadband Internet, IPTV and HD video, digital music and smart energy applications.

"Adding powerline technology to our current line of home connected technologies, including Set-Top-Boxes and Smart TVs, allows us to offer service providers and consumer electronics manufacturers a complete set of options to deploy a whole-home connected environment," said Philippe Notton, VP of STB Business Unit. “Joining the HomePlug Powerline Alliance allows us to take an active role in driving the evolution of this important technology standard.”

Today, HomePlug Certified products are available in retail channels from many manufacturers and deployed by over 30 service providers globally. The HomePlug powerline technology family includes HomePlug AV for broadband applications, HomePlug Green PHY (GP) for smart grid/smart energy applications, and the recent HomePlug AV2 for next-generation broadband speeds. HomePlug Certified products with HomePlug AV, AV2 and GP technology are fully interoperable and support the IEEE 1901 powerline communications standard.

"As the digital home becomes increasingly smarter, it requires reliable network connectivity," according to Michael J. Palma, research manager for consumer semiconductor research at IDC. "Having a market leader in TV media processors join the HomePlug Alliance and Board is obviously a significant step in helping to progress this standard."

"We’re delighted to welcome MStar to the HomePlug Powerline Alliance given its leading role in driving entertainment networking," said Rob Ranck, president of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance. "MStar understands the need for global standards to enhance broadband networking deployments and brings a unique technical and market knowledge to the Alliance."