Copyright © 2004, HomePlug Inc Standards provide the fundamental framework within which all of these competing services can co- exist without interfering with one another to provide commercial services over a common infrastructure – the electromagnetic spectrum. Without rules of the road, coordination, and fair use of a shared infrastructure - standards - everyone loses. Erich W. Gunther, P.E. Chief Technology Officer, Principal Consultant EnerNex Corporation

HomePlug and BPL Coexistence

Copyright © 2004, HomePlug Inc HomePlug Overview Founded March 2000 by 13 industry-leading companies Developed Market Requirements Document (MRD) for HomePlug in-home technology Identified and invited candidates to participate in technology selection, spring 2000 –lab testing –field testing –design analysis Baseline technology (version 0.01) released in May Formal specification released June 2001 Developed MRD for HomePlug AV Feb 2003 Released RFP for HomePlug AV May 2003 HomePlug AV is in the final stage of the specification development HomePlug BPL MRD development was launched in May 2004 SPONSOR MEMBERS

Copyright © 2004, HomePlug Inc Powerline Coexistence – Background In-home powerline network is not natively contained within the home Utility power meter is somewhat of a gate, but only provides about 20dB of signal attenuation Signals do reach out to the Utility LV transformer and can continue on into neighboring homes Problem is worsened by: –Increase in residence density, rural areas less affected, or not all –Cross-cable coupling in multiple dwelling units(i.e apartments) In-home and Utility powerline networks will collide

Copyright © 2004, HomePlug Inc Coexistence Methods Mechanical Separation - Filters –Low-pass filter –Not practical for homeowner install –Added expense for utility rollout –A possible value-add type of solution in the future TDM –In use today in HP v1.0 deployments FDM –Recommended by ETSI, 2 phases 1) Fixed division 2) Flexible division –Requires signaling between both networks Technology independent signaling to allow co-existence of various proprietary technologies –This approach would delay standard development and is not beneficial to the industry

Copyright © 2004, HomePlug Inc Difficulties FDM –Very inefficient use of a limited bandwidth –Increased design complexity and cost to solve the linearity/gain problem –ETSI Phase 2 requires an interoperability compliance with low-level signaling Low-level common PHY components TDM –Requires common PHY between BPL and in-home –Requires standardization/compliance of both BPL and in- home devices –Traffic must be coordinated between in-home and BPL

Copyright © 2004, HomePlug Inc HomePlug Approach Provides contiguous network with common physical layers 200-Mbps class PHY capable of carrying multiple HDTV programs An advanced Physical Layer that offers near-capacity throughput performance and exceptional coverage for robust communications over noisy power line channels A high-efficiency MAC layer that incorporates both scheduled access (TDMA) with Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees, and contention access (CSMA). Features that are a must for the demands of multi-media and VoIP content delivery include guaranteed bandwidth reservation, tight control of latency and jitter, and high reliability. Co-existence modes enabling Broadband Powerline (BPL) co- existence, multi-network operation, hidden node service, and backward compatibility with HomePlug 1.0. Support of both TDM and FDM mechanisms. Advanced Network Management functions and facilities capable of supporting plug-and-play, user and service provider set-up and configuration

Copyright © 2004, HomePlug Inc HomePlug AV Multi-vendor support Integrated technology components from several companies Nearing release of Internal Specification Technology components have already been tested in real-world environments Actively recruiting technology professionals from Participant member companies to complete specification process OFDM PHY – Advanced FEC MAC: TDMA & CSMA 200Mbps-class Service 2 – 28MHz Advanced QoS Enhanced Security AV and 1.0 Technologies can share power line. Spec allows interoperability. BPL Co-existence (TDMA & FDMA) Expected Release of Spec: 1Q/05

Copyright © 2004, HomePlug Inc Invitation All eligible HomePlug Alliance members are invited to join the Specification Working Group (SWG), which is holding its first meeting on October 27th and 28th in Dallas, Texas.