HomePlug Alliance reports surge in HomePlug product certifications in 2012

Date: 03/03/2013
HomePlug Alliance reported a surge of activity in HomePlug product certifications throughout 2012. HomePlug certifies electronics devices and systems for powerline networking.

Before certifying HomePlug conduct interoperability testing with other certified products included in the HomePlug AV test matrix. The certification test matrix includes products using seven different HomePlug AV semiconductor vendors such as Broadcom Corporation, MStar Semiconductor Inc., Qualcomm Atheros and Sigma Designs, Inc.

“Our research indicates a 39 percent increase in HomePlug product shipments during 2012,” said Lee Ratliff of IHS iSuppli. “HomePlug AV is an entrenched competitor in the wireline home networking market and is very popular in service provider triple-play deployments. We expect the success of HomePlug AV to continue, resulting in a 31 percent compounded annual growth rate from 2012 to 2016.”

“I am very optimistic about the future of HomePlug,” said Rob Ranck, president of HomePlug Alliance. “HomePlug product announcements from our members have become a regular occurrence, and it takes little effort to find a plethora of HomePlug Certified products online or from a local retailer. I am encouraged by our members’ commitment to high quality consumer products as well as ongoing support for HomePlug technology and certification program development.”

In 2012, HomePlug launched development of key new interoperability testing programs, including: HomePlug AV2: the next generation of interoperable, gigabit-class powerline networking technology, HomePlug Green PHY: interoperable powerline networking technology for smart energy and smart home applications that is being adopted by major automobile manufacturers for electric vehicle connectivity and IEEE 1905.1: the emerging standard that enables seamless integration of hybrid home networks that can include HomePlug, Wi-Fi, MoCA and Ethernet technology.

Additionally, for smart grid and smart energy applications, HomePlug launched the Consortium for SEP 2 Interoperability (CSEP) in partnership with the Wi-Fi and ZigBee Alliances. For grid-to-meter applications, HomePlug expects to begin test tool development in 2013 for Netricity PLC, the certification program for the forthcoming IEEE 1901.2 standard.