New HomeGrid Forum White Paper describes unique G.hn interference mitigation techniques for high-density network environments

Beaverton, Ore, July 31, 2012

News highlights:

    G.hn is the only standard for wired home networks that incorporates effective mitigation of interference from neighboring PLC (Power Line Communications) networks in high-density environments such as Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU) buildings

    Neighboring network (NN) interference causes significant quality issues including IPTV freezing or failure, VOIP call interruptions, loss of data or even complete loss of network connectivity

    G.hn’s Neighboring Domain Interference Mitigation (NDIM) technology automatically mitigates interference between G.hn PLC networks using a range of measures, enabling near 100% network capacity for each network regardless of the number of nearby G.hn networks

    G.hn with NDIM provides a complete, robust solution for Service Providers in high density metro areas that are facing increasing demands for high quality, high bandwidth in-home network services

G.hn's PLC mode is the only PLC home networking technology able to tackle the issues of interference caused by nearby PLC networks . The new white paper published today by the HomeGrid Forum provides insights into the NN problem, previous ineffective attempts at mitigation, and the G.hn solution to this problem. “PLC neighboring network interference in MDU buildings has been one of the major stumbling blocks to the deployment of PLC networks for Voice over IP (VoIP), IPTV, and data transmission,” says John Egan, Vice-President of the HomeGrid Forum and primary author of the white paper. “G.hn's PLC mode is the only home networking technology that has built-in mitigation techniques designed to eliminate this damaging disruption to service quality. Service Providers have helped drive the development of the standard and the resulting G.hn technology. The paper clearly explains the problem and solution, so now Service Providers can be confident the problem is behind them when they move to G.hn.”

The White Paper, entitled: “PLC Neighboring Networks – How G.hn solves PLC’s Neighboring Networks Problem,” - explains the problems of both low and high level interference in neighboring networks, particularly in MDU environments where many PLC networks are installed nearby. It goes into the root causes of the problem, why legacy technology mitigation techniques are only partially effective at best, and how the complete G.hn Neighboring Domain Interference Mitigation (NDIM) set of techniques has at last truly solved the problem.

PLC inter-network interference has been a persistent problem and no networking technology prior to G.hn has been able to provide an effective solution. This interference results in significant service degradation, causing such problems as screen freezing or failure in IPTV and video services, VoIP call interruptions, loss of data or even a complete loss of network connection. With HomeGrid Forum members leading the effort, the ITU-T defined a complete G.hn NN toolkit that resolves this set of problems automatically; this is known as Neighboring Domain Interference Mitigation (NDIM). The NDIM technology is explained clearly in the white paper, enabling Service Provider planners and evaluators to see that NN problems have now been resolved, so they can deploy G.hn confident that the end user experience will be world class.

NDIM mitigation automatically eliminates G.hn inter-network interference. As John Egan says: “G.hn with NDIM continues the philosophy of G.hn… it is designed to solve problems and not require intervention to do so. In other words, G.hn ‘just works.’ G.hn is easy to install and ensures a high quality of service, with NDIM diagnosing the likely causes of interference and dealing with them automatically. This is great news for both Service Providers and consumers. It means that consumers are able to self-install their PLC home network and know that it will work first time, delivering the quality of service they need for their multi-play services. This is further proof that G.hn has a solid foundation that can be extended to meet new market needs and the evolution of technology - a truly next generation standard for wired home networks of any type.”

The Neighboring Networks document is one of a series of white papers published by the HomeGrid Forum designed to explain and promote the advances in G.hn. The recently released MIMO white paper covered the standardization of MIMO for PLC, which is now part of G.hn, and how MIMO can benefit the market and solve problems for Service Providers. More white papers are planned.

The HomeGrid Forum’s PLC Neighboring Networks white paper can be found at: http://www.homegridforum.org/content/register_page.php?resource_key.