HomeRF Overview and Market Positioning
7 HomeRF Implementations Examined
7.1 Intel Anypoint
On April 5, 2000 Intel
launched the Anypoint wireless home network option. The Anypoint home
network allows you use drives and printers as if they were attached to
your own computer. The Anypoint home network requires a HomeRF adapter and
Anypoint software for each PC. After configuration the
Anypoint adapter and software gives 2 or more PC’s the ability to
communicate with each other. The Anypoint home network also increases
security with its in built firewall. Multi player games are also catered
for in the Anypoint home networking system. High quality digital audio can
be streamed from one PC to another using Anypoint. The Anypoint intercom
allows one PC user, communicate with another Anypoint user in a connected
environment. At present, the price of an Intel Anypoint wireless home
network external adapter is $99 per PC in the home.
7.2 Proxim Symphony HRF
On November 6, 2000 Proxim
unveiled Symphony HRF. Symphony HRF is compatible with the HomeRF
standard, enabling secure high-speed networking. Symphony HRF is
compatible with future voice enabled computing devices. Like Intel
Anypoint, Symphony HRF offers security as well as streamlined
configuration.
Streamlined HRF is a wirefree network solution that
connects up to 10 computers at 1.6Mbps up to a distance of 50 metres away.
Users can share files, printers and single broadband or dial up
connection. Forward compatibility with upcoming voice technologies is also
offered. Proxim have designed Symphony HRF to be interoperable with a wide
range of HomeRF based products from Compaq,
IBM and Intel.
It has also been designed to be compatible with HomePNA based phone line
networks. The price of 2 Symphony PCI cards and 1 cordless Ethernet Bridge
is $258 and $399 respectively. It is obvious that these prices will have
to drop considerably, before the technology is adopted on a large scale.
Introduction | Working
Group | Vision | Technical
Specification | Software Architecture |
Security | Implementations | Rival Technologies
| Future
|
