It’s now pretty much a foregone conclusion that G.hn silicon will hit the market in 2010. Right on schedule, the ITU has taken the next step toward ratifying the home networking protocol G.hn, granting consent to G.hn’s spec for its data link layer (DLL).
G.hn’s physical layer spec gained consent at a previous meeting.
In addition, the Smart Grid profile was advanced by the ITU specifically for use in low-complexity applications, including home control and automotive, where G.hn can now be used in plug-in electric vehicles, reported the HomeGrid Forum, an alliance of companies backing the technology.
Electric vehicles is an application not frequently touted in the past. Matthew Theall, president of HomeGrid Forum, said, “G.hn was originally seen as a multimedia networking technology, and was developed to address that significant market opportunity. Now, thanks to cooperation from throughout the industry, and from ITU and HomeGrid member companies, G.hn is able to address an even broader range of applications and has the potential to enable billions of consumer devices, computers, energy management products, and even automobiles with next-generation connectivity.”
The G.hn standard is designed meet the wired networking needs of service providers, electronics manufacturers, utilities, auto makers, and consumers alike. The aim of G.hn is to unify the networking of content and devices over any of wire – phone line, power line and coax cable.
With G.hn, service providers will be able to deploy new offerings, including IPTV, more cost effectively. Consumer electronics manufacturers will be able to provide powerful devices for connecting all types of entertainment, home automation, and security products throughout the house. Smart Grid devices such as electricity meters, heating and air conditioning systems, electrical appliances, and lighting systems will benefit from the reliability, security and low-power consumption provided by the G.hn standard.
