HomeGrid Forum Advances Its C&I Program as Industry Adoption of G.hn-MIMO Grows

BEAVERTON, OR--(Marketwire - Jun 13, 2012) -

News Highlights:

• G.hn-MIMO is now an ITU-T Approved standard
• MIMO improves coverage and data rate of G.hn PLC networks in difficult noise environments and so helps the delivery of multiple, high-quality multimedia streams
• HomeGrid Forum has added MIMO certification to its C&I program

HomeGrid Forum announced that it has added certification for state-of-the-art PLC Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) to its C&I test suite for G.hn. The new G.hn-MIMO standard for PLC was recently approved by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-T), known officially as Recommendation ITU-T G.9963.

The addition of MIMO to the family of G.hn standards provides increased noise immunity and can nearly double throughput. With MIMO, all powerline outlets in the home can now consistently provide high quality of service, meeting Service Provider needs with regard to the simultaneous distribution of multiple high-definition video streams throughout the home.

G.hn-MIMO is the first global standard to define MIMO capabilities for PLC. With MIMO, past PLC challenges, such as extreme noise impairments, no longer have any significant impact on multimedia streams. In addition to this improved noise immunity, MIMO can significantly increase the coverage and data rate of G.hn PLC networks. With MIMO technology in their network, the consumer can continue to enjoy a high quality of experience even when the G.hn PLC network encounters low-grade power strips, EMI filters, and surge protectors; and must contend with common powerline noise sources such as a plugged-in mobile phone charger. Consumers no longer have to worry about which power outlet to use for their PLC network.

G.hn momentum has been growing since the standard's approval by ITU-T in 2010. Since then, system-on-chip (SoC) manufacturers have been busily developing chipsets based on the standard. Currently, five silicon vendors have announced G.hn products: Lantiq, Marvell Semiconductor, Metanoia, Sigma Designs, and TangoTec. HomeGrid Forum has been in the forefront of advocating the benefits of G.hn to Service Providers in particular and the market in general. HomeGrid is developing a comprehensive Compliance and Interoperability (C&I) program to test and certify silicon and systems. HomeGrid is pleased to expand the test suite to add MIMO. HomeGrid has now held 5 plugfests between silicon companies to advance the C&I program.

Finally as G.hn-MIMO is an extension of the G.hn technology, new G.hn PLC products with MIMO are fully interoperable with non-MIMO G.hn PLC products. This means Service Providers need not worry over mixed home networks, customers can easily self-install the devices, and OEMs can add MIMO-enhanced silicon into existing designs.

Malcolm Johnson, Director of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, commented: "Months of in-depth research and study by top industry experts culminated in approval of the G.hn-MIMO. This is an exciting and logical step for wired home networking. We are delighted to work together with the HomeGrid Forum as it develops its C&I program. Ensuring conformity and interoperability is central to ITU-T's work."

"We fully support the G.hn-MIMO standard, and are thrilled with its approval by ITU-T," said Matt Theall, president of the HomeGrid Forum. "G.hn was already the top-line standards-based wireline home networking technology globally and now, by incorporating MIMO, we will see a significant increase in the robustness, rate and coverage of G.hn PLC. G.hn continues to be the premier technology for wired home networking, and will be for years to come as other new advances are added."

For additional information about the G.hn-MIMO (G.9963) standard, please download the overview document white paper from The HomeGrid Forum website at:

http://homegridforum.org/content/pages.php?pg=resource_overview

About ITU-T G.hn
The ITU-T, being an arm of the UN, creates standards with the label "Recommendation" as the UN cannot mandate use of a standard in any member country. While these Recommendations are standards in all regards they go beyond typical standards in that ITU-T standards are used as specific regulatory documents throughout the globe.

Through one global standard, G.hn unifies the home networking of content and devices over any wire -- coaxial cable, phone lines, and power lines. With it, service providers are able to deploy new offerings, including IPTV, more cost effectively. Consumer electronics manufacturers are able to provide powerful devices for connecting all types of entertainment, home automation, and security products throughout the house. Smart grid devices such as smart electricity meters, managed heating and air conditioning systems, electrical appliances, electric vehicles, and lighting systems also benefit from the reliability, security, and low-power consumption provided by the G.hn standard.

For more information please visit: http://www.itu.int/en/pages/default.aspx

About HomeGrid Forum
HomeGrid Forum is a global, non-profit trade group promoting the International Telecommunication Union's G.hn and G.hnem standardization efforts for next-generation home networking and smart grid applications. 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. For more information on HomeGrid Forum, please visit http://www.homegridforum.org or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/homegrid_forum.