IC Links USB To HomePNA Nets

The growing demand for high-speed data access between desktop and notebook computers and printers and other peripherals over existing telephone wires is addressed by the KL5KUSB111, a Universal Serial Bus (USB)-to-HomePNA controller. The device supports communications in Home Networking Applications at a rate of 1 Mbit/s, which can be scaled up to 10 Mbits/s because of the device’s 10Base-T link, which consists of an on-chip MAC and PHY interface. The chip is designed to meet the objectives of the HomePNA (Home PHoneline Networking) Alliance, which aims to give home computing users an easy-to-implement means of connecting numerous PCs and peripherals throughout the home without need for new wiring. It includes the USB transceiver, serial interface engine, 16-bit RISC CPU with internal RAM and ROM, a 10-MHz MAC, and a PHY interface. The CPU is designed for both USB transaction and control data processing.