New Industry Products

Bel Offers HomePlug AV PLC Modules For Embedded Networking Or Consumer Electronics Applications

July 14, 2009 by Jeff Shepard

Bel Fuse Inc. announced the availability of their newest Powerline Communications (PLC) transceiver modules (PN# 0804-5000-17 and 0804-5000-18) to support HomePlug® AV standards. The low-power modules integrate Intellon’s third-generation INT6400/INT1400 HomePlug AV chip set, along with the majority of components required for adding HomePlug AV functionality to any embedded consumer electronics or networking product. Devices feature a MII (Host and PHY) interface, and easily connect to embedded systems via the standard 1.27mm header to further assist OEMs and ODMs speed time-to-market and minimize BOM costs.

Designed to support the development of HD-grade communication bridges both to and from the powerline, Bel’s PLC transceiver modules are well suited for the broadest spectrum of embedded HomePlug AV applications including High Definition (HD) and Standard Transmission (SD) video distribution, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and backbone for Wi-Fi, UWB and wireless USB. They are equally appropriate in higher data rate broadband sharing, shared broadband Internet access, audio and video streaming, and file sharing applications.

"Bel is pleased to again be partnering with Intellon to bring modular solutions to the ever-expanding embedded HomePlug AV market," said Lee Hancock, Broadband Product Manager at Bel. "Our new PLC transceiver modules, incorporating Intellon’s INT6400 IC, provide the most integrated, cost-effective solution to embed HomePlug AV into in-home multimedia applications."

Chris Henningsen, Vice President of Marketing at Intellon, stated, "Intellon and Bel are jointly committed to meet customers’ requirements for easy-to-build embedded HomePlug AV applications. We are confident that the integration of our INT6400/INT1400 chip set into Bel’s HomePlug AV modules will help shorten product development and production cycles while ensuring the ultimate in HomePlug AV functionality."

The small-footprint, SIP modules are available in vertical or horizontal configurations and measure 2.776 x 0.238 x 1.249", or 2.776 x 1.142& x 0.293", respectively. They boast a low dc power requirement of 830mA from a single 3.3V supply and are fully compliant with the HomePlug AV standard to reliably deliver up to 200 Mbps PHY rate over powerline wiring. Featuring 128-bit AES link encryption with key management to secure powerline communications, parts support 1024/256/64/16/8-QAM, QPSK, BPSK and ROBO modulation schemes.

Samples of Bel’s HomePlug AV PLC modules are available immediately.