Check these guys out
AGSC


http://www.insteon.net/
http://www.insteon.net/sdk/forum/login.asp?target=3Ddefault.asp    =20
puppetboy   12151492insteon

http://www.smarthome.com/

What is INSTEON=99
INSTEON=99 is a powerful, wireless home-control networking technology =20
that simply, affordably and reliably integrates systems in the home =20
for improved comfort, safety, convenience and value.

Applications

     * Scene and remote control lighting
     * Security alarm interfaces and sensors
     * Home sensors (e.g. water, humidity, temperature)
     * Access control (e.g. door locks)
     * Heating and cooling (HVAC) control and management
     * Audio-video control
     * Appliance management
     * Energy savings



Network Topology

INSTEON is a robust, redundant dual-band mesh network that combines =20
wireless radio frequency (RF) with the home's existing electrical =20
wiring. INSTEON is less susceptible than other single band networks =20
to the kind of interference and noise commonly encountered within the =20
home.

INSTEON leverages the latest digital technology to create a true peer-=20
to-peer mesh network. Because all INSTEON devices are peers, they do =20
not require network supervision, so complex network controllers and =20
routing tables are not required.

Reliable
Reliability is a hallmark of INSTEON Networks. Building on a peer-to-=20
peer mesh network foundation, INSTEON confirms every message to =20
insure that messages are received error-free, and automatically =20
retransmits corrupted messages. Because every INSTEON device acts as =20
a two-way repeater, the INSTEON Network becomes stronger and more =20
reliable as it grows.

Affordable
INSTEON is very inexpensive for manufacturers to integrate into a =20
wide variety of home devices from light switches to appliances. =20
INSTEON-compatible devices are expected to be available for less than =20
$25.00 at retail.

Fast
INSTEON uses advanced digital signal processing to encode and =20
transmit messages, enabling rapid transmission of control data =20
between INSTEON devices. Individual INSTEON messages can also carry =20
up to 14 bytes of arbitrary user data to support unlimited home-=20
control applications from developers.

Works with legacy X10
The INSTEON technology allows manufacturers to develop products that =20
are both INSTEON-compatible and X10-ready. Homeowners with existing =20
X10 networks can easily migrate to an INSTEON network without having =20
to discard all their existing X10 devices. Please note that INSTEON =20
devices repeat INSTEON signals and not X10.

How Does INSTEON Compare with ZigBee, Z-Wave, HomePlug, Bluetooth, X10?

ZigBee & Z-Wave: Single-band (RF-only) wireless networks that require =20
a network controller.

HomePlug: Focused on broadband applications; not a cost-effective =20
technology for home control.
Bluetooth: Designed as an ad-hoc, short-range network technology, not =20
intended for home-control networking.
X10: Inexpensive but lacks the robustness, flexibility and =20
reliability required by today's home-control applications.
UPB: Expensive single-band technology.

Which INSTEON products are available?
INSTEON compatible devices are available now from Smarthome Design =20
and will soon be available from other manufacturers, both large and =20
small. INSTEON Developer Kits are available now starting at $99 at =20
(USB and Serial). Additionally, other manufacturers plan on releasing =20
products during the second half of 2005.

INSTEON Compatible Logo
INSTEON Compatible     The INSTEON compatible logo assures product =20
compliance to the INSTEON quality standard.

INSTEON Alliance
To date, more than 60 developers have joined the INSTEON Alliance. =20
Several of the leading developers, including Fortune 500 companies, =20
are on the INSTEON Advisory Council. Developers kits are currently =20
available (USB and Serial). For more information on becoming an =20
Alliance member please contact Sales@INSTEON.net.

Support for Other Network Technologies?
RS232 serial, USB and Ethernet bridges will soon be available to =20
allow communications with the Internet, computers and a wide variety =20
of security and wiring panels. Additionally, a "TW-523 emulator" is =20
under development. Smarthome plans to add additional bridges to other =20
network technologies in the future.

INSTEON Market Report and Analysis
     This independent detailed report prepared by West Technology =20
Research Solutions LLC (WTRS) analyzes the INSTEON technology market =20
as an emerging protocol for the home automation. The report can be =20
accessed from WTRS.

Have additional questions?
# Contact Us: Contacts
# web: http://www.smarthome.com/custhelp.com (search for INSTEON)
# phone:1.800.SMARTHOME (800.762.7846)
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