Untangling the technology
Here are some of the technologies that power devices to control everything from home entertainment to security:
802.11a: Transmits data signals wirelessly. Companies like the technology because it is less "crowded" with transmissions from other potentially interfering devices -- cordless phones and microwave ovens, for example).
802.11b: The first-generation of Wi-Fi wireless networking products.
802.11g: This followed the 802.11b standard to transmit data at a faster rate.
Cat 5: Specially designed for high-quality performance and is being installed in a growing number of households.
Cable: Has the advantage of being able to carry a great deal of data and multimedia traffic over longer distances. Companies are interested in using cable to send video streams from room-to-room using special set-top boxes.
Infrared: A data transmission solution mainly used between mobile devices (PDAs, mobile telephones, etc.) and computers.
Powerline: Data and control signals can be transmitted over a home's electrical wiring at very low speeds for home control applications and very high speeds for connecting home computers and digital entertainment equipment.
Radio frequency: Can be used to transmit data signals at relatively high speeds through airwaves. First-generation solutions have focused on networking (allowing multiple home computers to share a single broadband Internet connection, for example), but next-generation solutions are aimed at allowing digital entertainment devices and home computers to share digital video and audio media.
Ultra-wideband (UWB): A wireless cable replacement to achieve extremely fast data transmissions at very short distances. First-generation products will be aimed at replacing cables between home computers and peripherals (including digital cameras and camcorders) and also between certain digital entertainment systems.
X10: Carries control signals across standard electrical wire. The X-10 protocol is typically used in simple control scenarios such as the remote or automatic turning on/off of lights or appliances.
ZigBee: A wireless control technology that is based on a global industry standard. The goal of ZigBee is to provide manufacturers of control and sensor systems a low-cost and reliable networking technology.
Source: Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst at Parks Associates, a Dallas-based market research and consulting firm specializing in emerging technology. 