Ubicom Technology Enables Use of Power Lines for Data Transmission; Phonex System Provides Home Networking With No New Wires

Business Wire, August 6, 2001

Business Editors/Technology Writers

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 6, 2001

Ubicom, Inc., a leader in providing Internet Processors and networking software that enable ubiquitous communication, today announced that its IP2022 Internet Processor has been designed into the recently announced PX-801 NeverWire 14 home networking system from Phonex Broadband Corp. of Midvale, Utah. The NeverWire 14 converts data from a form that can be transmitted over AC power lines into a form that can be used by such devices as personal computers and their peripherals, entertainment systems and powered speakers.

Phonex has implemented what is essentially an access point solution for power line networking, using Ubicom's IP2022 to perform Ethernet communications functions in software. The IP2022 does switching and data management, interfacing to a HomePlug(TM)-compliant PHY (physical layer) chip set, and control functions that help turn an AC power plug into an Ethernet network connection.

The Phonex NeverWire 14 can be plugged into any electrical outlet in a home or SOHO (small office/home office), providing an instant networking jack wherever a power receptacle can be found. A homeowner, for example, can create an entire home network linking his or her personal computers, printers, TV set-top box, music equipment and Internet access without running any new wires.

"One of the major demands for creating networks in existing homes and other buildings is that there be no new wires, as the most significant impediment to the growth of broadband technologies is in the physical installation," said John Knab, president and CEO of Phonex. "The new HomePlug standard for data communications over AC wiring satisfies this demand, and Ubicom's highly flexible Internet Processor is an excellent foundation for our products. It's capable of supporting our product's high throughput requirements, and allowed an inexpensive product design, yet is flexible enough to allow us to upgrade our products as they evolve. As new high-speed services are brought to the home and SOHO markets, Phonex will continue to provide powerful methods for interconnecting those services without adding new wires."

"Bridging between LAN technologies, which is primarily what we do in the NeverWire 14, is a large and growing market opportunity because of the variety of new standards that are proliferating in the networking world," said Bulent Celebi, Ubicom's president and CEO. "Because of our software-based design methodology, our chips can support a variety of physical interfaces, from simple UARTs to Ethernet and other network protocols, using one silicon platform. And as standards evolve, we offer the flexibility of in-system reprogrammability, even over the Internet, by simply reprogramming our chip."

Celebi added, "Everyone is familiar with transmitting data over voice networks using modems, but sending data over a power line is an entirely different thing. Phonex has successfully developed technology to do just that, and we're very excited that they're combining their technology with our silicon and software network connectivity capabilities to develop a solution that accomplishes what is a very difficult task."

The PX-801 NeverWire 14

The Phonex PX-801 NeverWire 14 is a customer-installable external device that lets a user create a complete home or office networking system without the time, cost or inconvenience of running new wires, and is ideal for such applications as allowing multiple computers to share a single high-speed Internet access modem. The NeverWire 14 is the only freestanding power plug-to-Ethernet data network device that turns any AC outlet into an Ethernet port, transmitting voice and data signals over standard electrical wiring at up to 14 Mbps (megabits per second). It complies with the HomePlug standard for such transmission, and requires no computer or other equipment disassembly for installation.

Ubicom Technology

Ubicom's technology is unique because it shifts communications and control functions from silicon to software to take advantage of software's inherent reconfigurability. In contrast, traditional silicon or ASIC design methods can take over a year to complete and can result in a final product that is inflexible. Ubicom's approach uses a single powerful processor chip and pre-built software modules that are programmed into on-chip flash memory, which allows rapid, inexpensive product design and quick reconfiguration -- even over the Internet -- to meet the whims of the market or the requirements of rapidly changing standards

Phonex Broadband Corp.

Founded in 1988, Phonex Broadband Corporation, based in Midvale, Utah, is a privately held company recognized as the world's only developer of wireless telephone outlet technology. The proprietary technology enables telephones and other devices to communicate reliably using standard electrical wiring. The technology is strongly protected by multiple patents. The company manufactures a broad base of telephone accessories, communication equipment, and Internet access products. Phonex markets its products through independent manufacturer's representatives in the U.S. and through distributors in 60 countries worldwide.