This introduction of business style networks into the home, however, is just the beginning. The new electronic systems will "talk to" each other, their manufacturers and service centers, as well as their owners. These systems include appliances, home entertainment systems, heating and air conditioning equipment, security systems, lighting systems and practically anything else that uses electronic controls. There is little question that these networks will become a reality, the real question is, what language will these devices speak, and through what medium will the data be sent?

Low speed data (in the Kbps and low Mbps range) can use several methods-
1. Powerline carrier - The data is sent over existing electrical (120/240 volt) wiring in the home.
2. Telephone wiring - The data is sent over existing telephone cables.
3. Wireless - The data modulates a RF carrier, a radio system sends and receives the data.

These low speed systems have the advantage of not requiring any new wiring. The main disadvantage is the low data transfer rates. This would not be a problem for some applications (like the refrigerator calling for "its own" service). Other applications (like video streaming) would quickly bog down.

High speed data (in the high Mbps to Gbps range) require much more specialized systems. Here twisted pair data cable or (optical) fiber is required. The disadvantage for existing homes is that the specialized cable or fiber is difficult (spell that expensive) to install. The advantage however, is the ability to transfer huge amounts of data very quickly. Moving high definition video and/or large computer files is a breeze. We recommend that anyone building a new home, where the installation is simple, prewire for high speed data, the cost is very low.

Practical examples of what could be done with these systems -

Using broadband internet service for conventional entertainment such as movies and music. The home network would handle the distribution of streaming audio and/or video data, allowing any location access to the bitstream.
or
Allowing your furnace, after sensing abnormal motor current, to inform you (or a servicer) that a failure is imminent. The motor could then be replaced, before you are left in the cold.
or
Enabling you, with the push of one button to - turn on the TV, DVD player and sound system, select the proper settings on all, and dim the lights to a pre determined level for movie viewing. We can do this now, but it requires very expensive touch pad interface controllers.

The difference between home and business networks, as they are evolving, is that the home systems will not require a personal computer to communicate with another device. A PC (or PCs) would most likely be connected to the system in most cases, but it (they) would not need to be "online" for the other equipment to communicate, in other words the network is "peer to peer".

While this (home) technology is still evolving, we know the basic requirements of high speed data transfer - businesses networks have been evolving for years. The majority of local networks communicate over twisted pair data cable. Category 5E UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) cable can support 100+ Mbps, "Fast Ethernet" networks. A system capable of this data rate can simultaneously distribute - High Definition Video, Hi Fi Audio and still have room to spare for other data.

For customers interested in wiring their (or their customers) homes for the latest home networking, and home entertainment systems, we suggest a Category 5E UTP / RG6 Coax prewire, using a star topology. The system can then distribute audio/video, voice and data. Run the cables from any potential user location to a central point (Hub). Keep in mind that outside connections (TV, voice, internet) to the hub will be required.