Product category:
Communications ICs (Wired)
News Release from: SiConnect | Subject: PLT050
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 01 December 2006
Powerline transceiver provides whole
home coverage
Microcontroller based, the PLT050 embeds SiConnect's proprietary POEM technology to deliver digital modem, baseband signal and control processing functions.
SiConnect has launched its first digital powerline transceiver chip Providing a 16-level managed quality of service (QoS), whole home coverage and compliance with global EMC regulations, the US $5 PLT050 aims to enhance the performance of a wide range of applications making use of existing electrical wiring to carry audio, video, voice and data around the home
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 24 May 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Designed to support ADSL speeds, the PLT050 achieves a real payload throughput of 14Mbit/s, equalling the performance of rival solutions claiming headline bandwidths of 85Mbit/s.
The SiConnect chip will handle standard definition TV in triple play applications, home theatre and uncompressed audio distribution as well as VoIP and PC networking.
Microcontroller based, the PLT050 embeds SiConnect's proprietary POEM technology to deliver digital modem, baseband signal and control processing functions.
Further reading
Powerline modems cut the cost of home networking
Highly integrated powerline modem chips allow consumer electronics OEMs to significantly reduce board space, power consumption, bill of materials and cost.
Powerline modem is sound choice for audio
Vigoole is to use SiConnect's single-chip PLi050A audio powerline modem in new ranges of audio products.
Used in conjunction with a bidirectional analogue/digital interface IC (AD9865), a simple coupler circuit, an industry standard PHY (Ethernet, USB or serial) and a 512Kbit EEPROM for system firmware and configuration upload, the chip requires minimal external components to create a complete powerline transceiver solution.
It is expected that SiConnect's first chip will prove an attractive proposition for Ethernet adapter manufacturers.
Unlike alternative powerline transceiver solutions, the POEM technology based PLT050 makes use of a synchronous multiple access/contention resolution (SMA/CR) protocol and a 16 service level QoS management technique to guarantee fair and prioritised distribution of competing audio, video, VoIP and IP data streams.
Whole home coverage is also assured by the PLT050, irrespective of electrical wiring topology.
Using a peer-to-peer meshed network topology, POEM technology enables each node to act as an intelligent repeater to create "ad hoc" networks.
As networks self-configure, user installation is very much "plug and play" and POEM's in-built encryption capability ensures privacy and security are maintained.
Importantly, the PLT050 will enable designers throughout the world to produce products that can comply with global EMC regulations, including FCC Part 15, CISPR 22 and its European derivative EN55022 - a mandatory requirement for the marketing of consumer electronic products in Europe.
The PLT050 offers three configurable GPIO pins for application specific control or display purposes.
It requires core and I/O voltages of 1.8 and 3.3V, respectively, is provided in a space efficient 80-pin LQFP package and is specified for commercial temperature range operation (0-70C).
The chip is priced at US $5 in 10,000 piece quantities.
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