Wifi Revolution

Technologies such as WiFi (News - Alert) and powerline networks present a certain level of confusion for the average consumer. We know we want anytime access to information and we also want home networks; just don’t expect us to understand how it works.

In a recent PC World report, Atheros (News - Alert) Communications tried to simplify the process and offered reference designs for combined WiFi and powerline networks. A chipmaker and major WiFi silicon supplier, Atheros recently acquired powerline networking vendor Intellon.

As a result of its relationship with Intellon, Atheros has announced the general availability of the first reference designs to come out of the two companies working together. Equipment makers can rely on the designs to create the necessary gear to bridge wireless and electrical-wiring networks.

A number of consumers have already networked their homes with WiFi, generally to share a broadband Internet connection to browse the Web. The latest offerings of high-definition TV and video streams carriers and cable operators now want to deliver demand more than just wireless if household members want to get the most out of their networks.

Atheros designed a WiFi router that can send packets onto a home’s electrical grid through the power cord that plugs into the wall. An adapter has also been developed to go with the router that can be plugged into a power socket elsewhere in the house and gain access to WiFi in that room. Through this linking process, the consumer does not have to rely entirely on WiFi to send multimedia streams throughout the house.

The main idea here is to provide a home network that will deliver on all the content demands of the family, without encountering obstacles associated with the reach of WiFi. The router essentially allows consumers to use the WiFi and Ethernet technology they are already accustomed to using.

While Atheros is making this announcement today, the company is not likely to be the only player to expand such options. Marvel, a maker of a wide range of networking chips including those for WiFi gear, announced this summer its plans to acquire the intellectual property and assets of DS2 (News - Alert), a maker of powerline networking silicon.

Aside from the benefits such solutions can provide to early adopters, service providers may also see the value in high-capacity systems that can easily be installed in homes in the coming years. Carriers essentially want a system that subscribers can easily install on their own and both Atheros and Marvel may be meeting this need in the near future.