Universal Powerline Association
Encyclopedia
The Universal Powerline Association (UPA) was a trade association
that covered power line communication
(PLC) markets and applications. The UPA promoted and certified power line communication technology from 2004 to 2010.
was signed by the founding members in September 2004, and the UPA was officially announced in January 2005. Design of Systems on Silicon
(DS2), a supplier of integrated circuits and software for PLC, was among the founding members; UPA systems were based on its technology.
DS2 had financial problems in 2010.
Marvell Technology Group
acquired the intellectual property
of DS2 in August 2011, although it continued to provide UPA specifications compliant devices. With the exit of DS2 from the market, the UPA suspended activities in November 2010 and discontinued its website, although the UPA market continued through Marvell and its partners.
The UPA coexistence specification awas published in June 2005.
The UPA Access specification (the European OPERA project endorsed specification for Internet access
over power lines) was published in February 2006.
In-home systems and solutions, called "triple play
" scenarios, were published in February 2006 as the UPA Digital Home Specification v1.0.
The UPA worked with international standardisation bodies such as IEEE and ETSI.
Members included: AcBel, Ambient Corporation, bpl, Corinex Communications, Design of Systems on Silicon
(DS2), IBEC, NETGEAR
, PCN Technology, Toshiba
, Toyo Network Systems, and Junaid.
Trade association
A trade association, also known as an industry trade group, business association or sector association, is an organization founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry...
that covered power line communication
Power line communication
Power line communication or power line carrier , also known as power line digital subscriber line , mains communication, power line telecom , power line networking , or broadband over power lines are systems for carrying data on a conductor also used for electric power transmission.A wide range...
(PLC) markets and applications. The UPA promoted and certified power line communication technology from 2004 to 2010.
History
An interest group for the UPA was established by the founding members in May 2004. A memorandum of understandingMemorandum of understanding
A memorandum of understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action. It is often used in cases where parties either do not imply a legal commitment or in...
was signed by the founding members in September 2004, and the UPA was officially announced in January 2005. Design of Systems on Silicon
Design of Systems on Silicon
Design of Systems on Silicon, officially Diseño de Sistemas en Silicio S.A., , was a supplier of integrated circuits and software for power line communications....
(DS2), a supplier of integrated circuits and software for PLC, was among the founding members; UPA systems were based on its technology.
DS2 had financial problems in 2010.
Marvell Technology Group
Marvell Technology Group
Marvell is an American producer of storage, communications and consumer semiconductor products.Founded in 1995, Marvell Technology Group Ltd. has operations worldwide and approximately 5,700 employees. Marvell’s U.S. operating subsidiary is based in Santa Clara, California and Marvell has...
acquired the intellectual property
Intellectual property
Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...
of DS2 in August 2011, although it continued to provide UPA specifications compliant devices. With the exit of DS2 from the market, the UPA suspended activities in November 2010 and discontinued its website, although the UPA market continued through Marvell and its partners.
Specifications
The Universal Powerline Association released specifications related to three aspects of powerline technology.The UPA coexistence specification awas published in June 2005.
The UPA Access specification (the European OPERA project endorsed specification for Internet access
Internet access
Many technologies and service plans for Internet access allow customers to connect to the Internet.Consumer use first became popular through dial-up connections in the 20th century....
over power lines) was published in February 2006.
In-home systems and solutions, called "triple play
Triple play (telecommunications)
In telecommunications, triple play service is a marketing term for the provisioning of two bandwidth-intensive services, high-speed Internet access and television, and a less bandwidth-demanding service, telephone, over a single broadband connection. Triple play focuses on a combined business...
" scenarios, were published in February 2006 as the UPA Digital Home Specification v1.0.
The UPA worked with international standardisation bodies such as IEEE and ETSI.
Members included: AcBel, Ambient Corporation, bpl, Corinex Communications, Design of Systems on Silicon
Design of Systems on Silicon
Design of Systems on Silicon, officially Diseño de Sistemas en Silicio S.A., , was a supplier of integrated circuits and software for power line communications....
(DS2), IBEC, NETGEAR
Netgear
Netgear is a U.S. manufacturer of computer networking equipment and other computer hardware....
, PCN Technology, Toshiba
Toshiba
is a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
, Toyo Network Systems, and Junaid.