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An Internet And Network Connection At The Power Outlet

Thanks in part to University of Florida research, people soon will plug into home or office outlets for more than just electricity. Adapters and other products set to debut later this month will make it possible to use existing electrical wiring to access the Internet and to network computers and computing devices such as printers. Shown here is the Intellon chipset used in the adapter. (Photo courtesy of Intellon Corp.)
Gainesville - Jan 29, 2002
Thanks in part to University of Florida research, people soon will plug into home or office outlets for more than just electricity.

Adapters and other products set to debut later this month will make it possible to use existing electrical wiring to access the Internet, and to network computers and computing devices such as printers.

The "powerline networking" technology, which backers say provides more consistent service than competing wireless systems, could reduce the need for expensive cable installations in houses or buildings built before the Internet boom.

"Power lines for many years have been ignored as communication channel because they were too noisy and unpredictable," said Haniph Latchman, a UF professor of electrical and computer engineering. "But recent advances at UF and elsewhere have changed that scenario, and those advances are now reaching the consumer."

Latchman is among four UF engineering researchers who have worked with engineers at Ocala-based Intellon in the research, development, simulation and testing of the "no new wires" technology over the past two years.

Intellon builds the computer chips at the heart of wall outlet adapters, cards and other products that several companies plan to market nationwide. A demonstration of the technology's capabilities in a real home environment is set for Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Latchman's Gainesville home.

Latchman said the need for simple and effective local area networks, or "LANs," is skyrocketing as people add more computers to homes and so-called "smart" appliances steadily become a reality.

For example, IBM and Carrier recently announced plans to sell an air conditioner adjustable via e-mail, allowing residents to pre-set the temperature before they step in the door, he said. Down the road, "intelligent" refrigerators are expected to automatically note their contents' shortages and even order groceries over the Internet.

The main barrier to such developments is that millions of older homes are not equipped with the computer cable that supports high-speed networks, and many newer homes do not have the network cable in every room. Laptops and handhelds, meanwhile, are most useful when they can access the network virtually anywhere, such as poolside or on the patio.

One solution is wireless networking, but the commercially available technology has limitations, Latchman said. Chief among these: The service may become severely degraded or disappear entirely if multiple walls or structures impede the signal from the network access point, or if the user becomes too far away.

Also, current wireless technology does not prioritize data streams, meaning video or voice can appear or sound choppy when the system is busy, he said. Cable TV and phone wiring also are candidates for in-home networking, but again these usually are available only in a few selected rooms.

Electricity lines were not designed for conveying high-frequency signals needed to send and receive data, so they contain interference and noise. But UF and Intellon researchers have developed ways to maintain clear communication through new or improved digital signal processing, signal modulation, error control coding and novel protocols, Latchman said.

The resulting technology is similar to wireless in that it distributes the Internet to the network from a central Digital Subscription Line or cable modem access point. But, contrasting wireless, it is available wherever there is an electrical outlet, and it recognizes video or voice data and ensures its smooth delivery.

The technology is ideal for smart homes because it makes the network so accessible. "If you plug your fridge or A/C in, they're automatically part of the network," Latchman said.

Phoenix Broadband Corp., SMC Networks, Linksys and Netgear Inc. all have announced plans to sell adapters and other equipment for power line communication containing Intellon chips in coming weeks.

Once the products are on the market, the cost of equipping the average home will be about the same as wireless technology, Latchman said. But because the technology does not require a transmitter or other basic wireless components, he said, the cost is likely to undercut wireless as the technology gains popularity.

Although consumers have to use adapters now, developers hope the technology soon will be directly integrated into computers and smart appliances.

"Our long-term vision is that ultimately, you'll just plug your computer or appliance in and you're done," said Larry Yonge, vice president for research at Intellon. "In the meantime, you buy the adapter and you're done."

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