As consumers use different technologies to support an expanding array of connected consumer electronics and devices, such as televisions, computers, game consoles, and smart phones and tablet PCs, the use of home networks is growing. Home networks are not just becoming more common, they are becoming more complex, especially as consumers use them to share digital content between devices.
Now more than ever, there’s a need for a standard capable of uniting disparate wired and wireless elements into hybrid home networks. In response to this need, the IEEE SA Standards Board has approved the development of IEEE draft standard P1905.1™. The future standard will streamline network performance by dynamically managing packets from different wireless or wired interfaces, and maximize network bandwidth to ensure reliable content delivery across all home networking technologies.
Sponsored by the IEEE Communications Society, IEEE P1905.1 will provide a common, protocol-agnostic interface to increase the performance and simplicity of hybrid home networks that use IEEE 1901™ Broadband Over Powerline (BPL), IEEE 802.11™ wireless, IEEE 802.3™ Ethernet, and the Multimedia over Coax Alliance’s MoCA 1.1 technologies. With the Board’s approval, a Working Group has been formed and will hold its inaugural meeting on 14-16 December, in Paris, France.
According to Paul Houzé of France Telecom-Orange, who Chairs the IEEE P1905.1 Working Group. “As there is not a single networking technology that ideally addresses all of today’s applications, platforms, and environments, IEEE P1905.1 represents a fundamental advancement for home networking. Creating a bridge between the world’s most popular wired and wireless technologies will bring much-needed synergy, making home networks easier to use and elevating their overall performance.”
With its forward-looking procedures, protocols, and guidelines, IEEE P1905.1 will enable greater device cooperation, communication, and co-existence in home networks. Its architecture also enables active path selection for maximum traffic efficiency and network load balancing, and advanced energy management features for optimized power consumption.
The flexible specification also promises to transform the home networking end-user experience, as well. The standard will simplify installation, setup, management and allow users to leverage better diagnostics and control options. This will allow consumers will enjoy true plug-and-play networking.
IEEE P1905.1 is being built upon numerous internationally accepted, market-proven standards. When ratified, it will be the only specification delivering full backward-interoperability with certified home networking technologies, such as the IEEE 1901, IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.3, and MoCA 1.1 standards. IEEE P1905.1 is being developed with cooperative support from a variety of key stakeholders, including chipmakers, OEMs, and service providers, ensuring broad international, cross-industry adoption. It is expected that this deep level of engagement will aid in reducing market fragmentation and shortening time-to-market product cycles.
“IEEE’s ongoing leadership in the development of such enabling technologies as IEEE P1905.1 will resonate strongly among industry and consumers alike; the advancements being achieved today will have a significant impact on the connected services of tomorrow,” said Judith Gorman, Managing Director, IEEE Standards Association. “Through consensus-building across diverse constituencies, IEEE remains a catalyst for technology innovation and progress to the benefit of the world at large.”
