HomePlug is the name of the specification that defines the home networking
technology that connects devices to each other through the power lines in a home
(see
power line networking). HomePlug
certified products connect PCs and other
devices that
use
Ethernet,
USB and
802.11 Wi-Fi technologies to
the power line via a HomePlug bridge or adapter. Some products have HomePlug
technology built-in.
HomePlug uses Intellon's PowerPacket solution
as its baseline technology. Intellon created and patented the baseline
technology for the HomePlug 1.0 standard and introduced the first HomePlug
1.0-based IC in June 2001.