Atheros Wireless Unveils Hybrid Home Networking Solutions

When it comes to home networking we typically have two choices – WiFi or Powerline. Most of us don't have Ethernet cabling in the walls and adding that cabling after the fact is impossible in some instances. Atheros has unveiled a new line of hybrid home networking solutions that combine both WiFi and Powerline networking into one package.

The new solutions are a combination of WiFi and powerline gear that allow the user to get wireless access in the home and get web access to parts of the home where WiFi is spotty and connections are slow or just don't work. The hybrid systems have software that works behind the scenes to manage the network over the different connectivity methods the system offers.

The hybrid solutions also support networking and smart power solutions. The hub in the hybrid systems is capable of speeds up to 500Mbps to support streaming video and other bandwidth heavy uses. The Powerline/Ethernet adapters are offered in single of four port designs for connecting devices and can operate at up to 200Mbps over the Powerlines in the home. The systems also have a WiFi/Powerline range extender reference design to extend their network to reach WiFi devices in parts of the home where the normal signal just can't reach. All of the products in the series will land in Q4 2010.