14 DAY TRIAL // The concept of sending data over the power lines is not exactly a very new one, since several important companies have carried out extensive research on the subject. One such corporation is Panasonic, who has even created a special chipset, called HD-PLC, that facilitates said transfers. On the other hand, the people from Icron Technologies Corporation have created the ExtremeUSB technology, which allows the extension of USB functionality over other transmission media (UTP, FiberOptics and RF). And now, as the people from eHomeUpgrade report, the two companies joined forced and took the ExtremeUSB to the next logical level: USB via the power lines.
Although the technology is still in prototype status, the initial results are quite promising. Thus, the initial prototype demonstrated is a USB 2.0 over power line four port hub and dongle set that enables standard plug and play connection of any USB device. The system operates without the need for additional software drivers on Windows, Linux and MAC-OS systems, managing to extend the USB 2.0 functionality via the power lines with the help of Panasonic's HD-PLC chipset.
This very innovative system can open the way for a whole new range of applications, including remote desktops, keyboard, video, mouse (KVM) extension, security and surveillance, professional audio/video, point-of-sale (POS) and industrial control, especially since it ensures transfer speeds of up to 190Mbps on large distances.
Both companies are quite optimistic regarding their partnership. Thus, the president and CEO of Icron Technologies, Robert Eisses, stated that "With the help of Panasonic's leading edge HD-PLC devices, we have been able to quickly implement our platform to extend USB 2.0 over standard power lines. With power line technology poised to be a major catalyst for converged home network solutions, we are pleased to be working with Panasonic to add USB 2.0 to that picture".
The people from Panasonic are also quite "delighted" with the prospects, since Robin Sweeten, Group Manager, Strategic Marketing for the Panasonic Industrial Company stated that "Icron's integration of this technology will provide its customers the ultimate flexibility to locate USB devices anywhere in the home ordinary AC outlets exist, with unsurpassed ease of setup."
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