Eight silicon vendors to support ITU's G.hn standard

BEAVERTON, USA: Silicon vendors around the world continue to align in support of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU-T) G.hn and G.hnem technologies for wired home networking and energy management.

Kawasaki Microelectronics America, Inc. and TangoTec are the newest members of HomeGrid Forum, joining leading semiconductor suppliers DS2, Ikanos, Intel, Lantiq, Sigma Designs, and Texas Instruments as backers of the recently approved standard.

“Silicon providers are lining up in support of G.hn because they see the advantage and opportunity made available through one truly global standard technology for multimedia networking in the home,” said Matt Theall, president of HomeGrid Forum and technology strategist at Intel.

“These silicon companies are working to deliver next-generation technology that will enable their customers to better service their markets with future-generation products that are efficient, simpler to deploy, and works over all three wires—coax, phone, and power lines.”

Unlike existing and often proprietary wired networking technologies, G.hn is a worldwide, globally supported, technology standard that works across all physical media and supports a range of applications, including high-end multimedia networking implementations. G.hn is backed by service providers, CE manufacturers, PC companies, and utility companies.

“A single standard for wired home entertainment networks is critical for service providers, consumer electronics manufacturers, content providers, and consumers to take advantage of new technologies, business opportunities, and content consumption models. G.hn addresses this need,” said Michael Palma, senior research analyst at IDC, a technology industry analysis firm.

“Aligning around one single standard for the wired home will enable consumers to easily access content from multiple sources throughout the home while reducing the cost to deliver content to the consumer. Working with silicon vendors, HomeGrid Forum will help make this possible and open the market door for new consumer electronic devices that can take advantage of the union of content and connectivity.”

HomeGrid Forum
HomeGrid Forum is a global, non-profit trade group promoting the International Telecommunication Union’s G.hn standardization efforts for next-generation home networking.

The HomeGrid Forum promotes adoption of G.hn and G.hnem through technical and marketing efforts, addresses certification and interoperability of G.hn and G.hnem-compliant products, and cooperates with complementary industry alliances.

Silicon vendors align in support of G.hn
John Egan, Vice President of Strategic Marketing, DS2, said: "Service providers seeking to cost-effectively distribute content in the home prefer using existing wires; however, throughput and service quality issues exist with legacy technologies. With G.hn, in addition to providing a significant performance and quality of service improvement for home networks, service providers have a cost-effective single solution for their home networking needs.

"A single interface, a single network, and an installation that “just works” without the need for rewiring or complex installation steps. DS2 anticipates service provider lab tests before the end of 2010 and volume G.hn deployments beginning in 2011. DS2 will provide a backward compatibility option in our silicon that supports installed UPA networks, providing investment protection and a smooth transition to G.hn."

Mitch Kahn, Vice President of Corporate Development, Ikanos Communications, said: "Ikanos continues to be in full support of G.hn as the next-generation standard for wired home networks. One fully supported and implemented standard will complement not only our current business, but the market as a whole. This is evident by the widespread growing interest and demand for G.hn parts from service providers around the world."

Brendan Traw, CTO, Intel Digital Home Group, said, “Intel strongly supports G.hn technology as we anticipate it will simplify wired home networking solutions for consumer, consumer electronics OEMs, and service providers."

Joseph Choghi, Director of Marketing, Kawasaki Microelectronics, added, “K-micro is a strong player in the home networking market and supporter of ITU-T G.hn standards, we will continue supporting our key partners in upcoming G.hn product introductions and deployments."

Imran Hajimusa, president, Lantiq North America, said: "The digital home has been stalled at the doorstep, waiting for a robust, high-speed and interoperable solution to transmit data to every corner. We have been in the business of moving data from point-to-point for more than 20 years, and never before have we seen such potential to change the way people live, work, and play in such a simple, yet important, package.

"The ITU has done an amazing job with its G.hn standards work, and as a member of HomeGrid, Lantiq is fully committed to making G.hn the home networking standard for the digital home of tomorrow."

Michael Weissman, VP of Corporate Marketing, Sigma Designs, added: "As the leading supplier of coax and phone solutions for IPTV and a leading powerline technology leader, Sigma Design recognizes G.hn’s potential to triple performance over all three media versus today's standards. Having an ITU-backed standard is one of the reasons why Sigma Designs intends to be an active participant in the G.hn market."

Haim Ben-Amram, CTO, TangoTec, said: "G.hn provides a reliable, cost effective in-home IP network with up to 1Gbps over any existing wire (coaxial, telephone, and power lines). G.hn easily distributes the “Triple Play” service without the need to install any new wires."