The market for semiconductors in "the connected home" (also known as the digital home) is developing swiftly worldwide as consumers increasingly wish to access advanced entertainment such as IPTV and video-on-demand, distribute media around the home via their home networks, manage appliances and home security systems from the comfort of their living room. To coordinate the exchange of content and communications among all the different devices and communications services, there needs to be new advanced technology behind the scenes. This is where the network can play a key role. As the common foundation connecting all the devices in the home as well as running major IP-based telecommunications systems, intelligent networking technologies can greatly facilitate coordination of the disparate options for communications and entertainment
To connect to the internet a residential gateway is necessary. These are hardware devices that connect the home or small office network to the Internet. Different devices like PCs, TVs and other digital information appliances connect to the residential gateway device to share the Internet connection and network amongst themselves. Use is made of computers powered by Windows XP Media Center Edition, that are complete Windows XP-based PCs enhanced for home entertainment. These computers represent the evolution of home PCs into digital media hubs that bring together the entertainment choices and allow access to them with one remote control.
An important feature of the connected home is Voice over IP (VOIP) that uses the Internet Protocol (IP) to transmit voice as packets over an IP network. VOIP can therefore be achieved on any data network that uses IP, like Internet, Intranets and Local Area Networks (LAN). Here the voice signal is digitized, compressed and converted to IP packets and then transmitted over the IP network
Online gaming adds to the home entertainment category, using gaming console systems that have become complex with the integration of USB/Wireless/Ethernet connectivity high-end audio, high-speed processors and memory, and DVD functions. IP-based set-top box manufacturers can now easily turn their products into genuine gaming consoles, to provide end users with access to hundreds of games over IPTV. The set-top box will connect to grid of computer servers via a broadband connection, receiving game graphics and sound to display on a television screen in real time. USB-based game pads or remote controls can be used by subscribers to play a wide variety of games
The internet allows many people to work from home giving rise to a new category “small office/home office", SOHO which requires set up and management of a computer-working environment on a small scale. The advent of the personal computer, and breakthroughs in voice and data communication, created opportunities for office workers to decentralize resulting in benefits to employers, in lower overhead, and in many cases, greater productivity. Small scale typically means the category of business which can be from 1 to 10 workers. A range of products are often designed specifically for the "SOHO" market. These include Photo copiers and Fax machines, Intercoms and PBXs, telephone Handsets etc
Looking to the future, home is the center of a convergence of competing technologies, architectures, and suppliers, each with a unique set of advantages and solutions. Systems are being researched, developed, and deployed to manage, monitor, and control the following list of functions:
- service appliances that maintain the home appearance
- systems and devices that maintain the in-home environment
- devices that keep the home secure from intrusion or damage from internal and external man-made or natural events
In addition, consumers will require a system that manages everything within the home, including voice, data, and appliances. Wireless technology will provide necessary convenience, simplicity, and long-term cost savings.
By Kevin Hawkins, Texas Instruments Inc. Consumer and industrial markets have exploded with users’ demands for application devices that have more intuitive features and the ability to connect to any device, anywhere.
