STMicroelectronics is enhancing its powerline communication (PLC) capabilities with the completion of its acquisition of the semiconductor assets and intellectual property of Arkados. Arkados has been a player in the industry initiative HomePlug, focused on accelerating the development and deployment of Convergent Digital Home Networking, and ST has been working closely with Arkados since late 2008 to develop HomePlug wideband PLC solutions.

Home networking via wideband PLC technology provides the key advantage of the 'no-new-wire' approach to users because high-speed home networks can be created by using the power sockets and wiring infrastructure that already exist in the home. HomePlug is an industry-wide alliance whose sponsors include ST and many other players.

The Alliance's mission is to enable and promote rapid availability, adoption and implementation of cost effective, interoperable and standards-based home powerline networks and products.

The HomePlug technologies are fully compliant to the IEEE1901 1) standard for broadband-over-powerline networks and offer a complete ecosystem of interoperable technologies ensuring the forward migration path to Gigabit-class service.

There are two major variants within HomePlug standard: the HomePlug GP (Green PHY), which targets 'Smart Grid' and smart-energy applications; and HomePlug AV (Audio/Video), which is the consumer standard, aimed primarily at home networking. HomePlug GP and AV are interoperable.