by Chano Gomez of Marvell
It’s no secret that the growing demand for Over-The-Top (OTT) services, such as Netflix and YouTube, combined with increased congestion in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi spectrum, is driving the need for robust in-home networks that combine wired and wireless technologies for improved performance. With the increase of 4K video and 8K in markets such as Japan, OTT services are adding to the in-home bandwidth congestion as more users are choosing to opt out of traditional TV altogether and go “all IP”.
Reliable in-home networking is essential to the successful delivery of broadband services that consumers use in their homes. With Juniper Research predicting in May 2016 that OTT streaming services will reach over 330 million subscribers globally by 2019, technology providers need to deliver solutions that combine both wired and wireless technology to meet consumers’ needs in a seamless manner.
To demonstrate how robust in-home backbone networks can be created for an ultra-broadband experience in the home, HomeGrid Forum member and chipmaker Marvell is showcasing its G.hn Wave-2 Powerline networking technology at the CableLabs Summer Conference, which began today in Keystone, CO. This is the second time that a major G.hn technology breakthrough will be unveiled at this exclusive CableLabs event, following the 200MHz G.hn coax technology demo at the 2015 Summer Conference.
Marvell’s latest 88LX5152 chip is the first product to implement the full ITU-T G.hn specification with MIMO support and up to 80 MHz. This product delivers a 2 to 3 times faster performance than legacy powerline products, and is designed to increase the range and throughput of next-generation 802.11ac or 802.11ad Wi-Fi extenders and other consumer networking products.
While legacy powerline technologies were known for having neighbor-to-neighbor interference problems when used in multi-dwelling units, the G.hn standard implemented by the 88LX5152 includes “neighbor protection” mechanisms to ensure a delay-free Netflix experience. By mixing and matching wireless and wireline networking to fit individual consumers’ needs through G.hn Wave-2 Powerline, OTT services can be delivered at faster speeds that won’t create a bandwidth block or compromise the quality of experience for the consumer.
Operating on the same brilliant underlying technology as the first generation of G.hn Powerline, G.hn Wave-2 Powerline works through Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) outlets and panels, whilst providing improved and consistent quality in even the noisiest of environments. With these new built-in features, G.hn Wave-2 Powerline technology looks set to help build the robust in-home backbone network that consumers require for their ever-increasing demand of OTT services.