PulseLINK Demonstrates Simultaneous Operation of 1394 and Ethernet Over Coax at Connected@Home Conference
Demonstration Features CWave(TM) UWB Chipset on Mini-PCI Card
CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 16 // -- Pulse~LINK, Inc., developer of CWave(TM) UWB solutions for whole-home High Definition multimedia connectivity, will conduct an unprecedented public demonstration of high data rate HD video transmissions using both 1394 (Firewire(R)/iLink(R)) and Ethernet simultaneously over the same coaxial cable at the Connected@Home conference this week in San Diego. The demonstration features Pulse~LINK's CWave(TM) chipset implemented in Mini-PCI card form. The Connected@Home Executive Conference, presented by the Continental Automated Buildings Association (CABA), takes place October 15-17, 2006, at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina.
Service providers and industry groups see use of existing in-home coaxial cable as a logical backbone for whole-home multimedia and data networks whereby movies, music and data located on any device in the home can be easily accessed and enjoyed from any other location within the home. Coaxial cable is ideal as a digital distribution backbone for multimedia content throughout the home since coax is already deployed in a significant majority of households. CWave's ability to seamlessly merge both Coax and Wireless connections into one hybrid network using the same chipset addresses many shortcomings such as reliable coverage, security, Quality of Service and throughput limitations that wireless technologies alone have been unable to overcome.
From a throughput perspective, the ability to support multiple simultaneous streams of High Definition content with "Trick Play" (for pause, fast forward and fast rewind), as well as interactive menus, can require throughputs of several hundreds of megabits. Pulse~LINK's CWave(TM) technology has already been independently validated by a leading test house to achieve the highest performance available, with over 400Mbps of application layer throughput available across hundreds of feet of consumer grade RG59 coax, including consumer grade cable splitters, varying cable lengths and un-terminated coax stubs. This is enough to support five simultaneous streams of High Definition content with Trick Play, as well as additional data, throughout the home. The Pulse~LINK demonstration at the Connected@Home conference shows five simultaneous High Definition video streams using 1394 and Ethernet across the coaxial cable.
"This is a major breakthrough for service providers, set-top box manufactures and virtually all CE companies who want HD content moved around the home," states Bruce Watkins, President/COO of Pulse~LINK. "Each of these interface standards have important attributes for the digital home. With our CWave(TM) products, both 1394 and Ethernet are simultaneously supported by the same chipset across the same physical network."
Such whole-home networks drive the objectives of several hundred companies participating in groups such as the Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), the High-Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA), and others. DLNA prefers an Ethernet-based approach for networking personal content such as home videos and photos, while HANA prefers an approach based on 1394 technology for commercial premium content, and it is likely that both 1394 and Ethernet will be used as networking technologies in the digital home landscape. Pulse~LINK, a member company of both HANA and DLNA, will demonstrate how CWave(TM) has the ability to support both approaches simultaneously on the same coaxial network backbone using a common chipset, enabling Ethernet and 1394 networks to coexist with one another and with services already being carried across the coaxial cable from MSO, Telco, or SAT service providers.
"Pulse~LINK's solution helps solve the issues surrounding video and data delivery and brings together both worlds," states Bob King, Vice Chairman of HANA. "This demonstration showcases the ability for a common platform to network both personal and commercial content throughout the home."
The CWave(TM) Mini-PCI card used in the demonstration is the basis of Pulse~LINK's current evaluation kit. CWave(TM) is the first technology to facilitate room-to-room distribution of multiple streams of HDTV over in-home coaxial cable and wireless networks with guaranteed QoS for broadcast quality video. CWave's Gigabit data rates enable simultaneous streaming of multiple HDTV programs with interactive "Trick-Play" capabilities, high quality multi-channel audio, and high-speed data for unprecedented whole-home connectivity.
"We are extremely excited that Pulse~LINK has chosen to participate in CABA's Connected@Home event," states Ronald J. Zimmer, CABA President & CEO. "CWave(TM) represents the emergence of a whole new breed of innovative technologies for total whole home connectivity. Their demonstration of CWave(TM) is a technological leap forward in the distribution of multimedia and data content throughout the home and should be a major influence on the consumer electronics marketplace in coming years."
About Pulse~LINK, Inc.
Pulse~LINK, Inc. is a privately held Delaware Corporation headquartered in Carlsbad, California, with over 280 issued and pending patents pertaining to UWB wired and wireless communications technology. Pulse~LINK's CWave(TM) solution provides up to Gigabit data rates over coax and wireless networks from the same chipset, enabling consumers the unprecedented ability to stream and distribute high quality multimedia content throughout the home. For additional information about Pulse~LINK, Inc., please visit: www.pulselink.net/.
About CABA
CABA is the only industry association to offer industry intelligence to stakeholders in all areas of home & building automation. CABA's resources cover areas such as HVAC, lighting, security, A/V, communications technologies, energy management and controls. A number of resources are available through the association including iHomes & Buildings magazine, CABA's Summits and Conferences, CABA's monthly eBulletin, Information Series reports, Event Reports and the CABA web site. Please visit www.caba.org/ for further information.
Source: Pulse~LINK, Inc.
CONTACT: Laurie Watkins, Pulse~LINK, Inc., +1-858-794-9414, lwatkins@pulselink.net
Web site: www.caba.org/
Web site: www.pulselink.net/
