Overview

The INT6300 is the world’s first second-generation HomePlug AV open-standard-based MAC/PHY/AFE Powerline Communications (PLC) transceiver IC. This IC delivers improved performance at a lower price, which results in lower BOM costs for OEMs and enables retailers and service providers to reach consumer-level price points.

The INT6300 enables the development of HD-grade communications bridges to and from the powerline. It also serves as a translator between the digital and analog worlds. On the digital side are host interfaces that include: Ethernet and PCI. The digital data provided by these interfaces are translated by the INT6300 into a very complex analog signal, which rides over the AC wiring. The INT6300 also accomplishes the reverse – powerline to host interface, analog back to digital.

Description

The new architecture and lower process geometry used in the INT6300 reduces the total bill of material cost of Intellon’s HomePlug AV solution, enabling OEMs to reach lower consumer-level price points for the retail and service provider markets. In addition to a lower cost solution, the INT6300 offers a faster processor, reconfigured internal bus structure, faster memory bus and a multi-chip module package that includes both a MAC/PHY transceiver and an analog front-end. The INT6300 also offers simple push-button security for retail product applications, so that a personal computer (PC) is not required to secure a home network. The IC has MII (Ethernet) and PCI host interfaces, and does not require external flash memory for boot-from-host applications. In all, the INT6300 delivers higher performance at a lower cost.

Market Segments

The new INT6300 is the key element that enables reliable HD-grade performance over inherently noisy AC wiring. Robust whole-house connectivity is absolutely essential for the successful consumer adoption of new networked media-access products, systems and services. Key market segments enabled by the INT6300 include media access based on:

• a PC-centric topology (Windows Vista, Intel Viiv, AMD Live)
• a centric entertainment center (DVR/PVR to distributed set-top boxes)
• digital services (IPTV/VoD, cable, satellite)

The market pull involved here is very straight-forward – consumers want to enjoy their media content at any and all locations throughout their homes. The days of depending on installed cabling and jacks are passing and being replaced with the most elegant, transparent and ubiquitous solution of all – PLC. Using AC, PLC technology and a new wave of products and services, consumers are now able to fully enjoy media and information on demand.

Links

INT6300 Product Brief
INT6300 Technical Brief
i60 Product Brief
HomePlug AV White Paper
HomePlug AV Technology Overview