Epigram Licenses Tut Technology
zdnet.com
By Todd Spangler
April 7, 1999 9:40 AM ET
Tut Systems today announced that Epigram, a maker of communications chips for home networking gear, has licensed Tut's HomeRun technology for sending data over copper wires at 1 megabit per second.
Epigram, based in Sunnyvale, Calif., has developed a technology for 10-Mbps networking over ordinary phone lines. By licensing the HomeRun technology from Tut, Epigram will be able to offer components that are backward-compatible with 1-Mbps home phoneline networking gear already on the market, the company said.
The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Tut and Epigram are two of the founding members of the Home Phoneline Networking Alliance, which has agreed on a standard for 1-Mbps phoneline networking that is based on Tut's HomeRun. The consortium currently is at work on a second standard for 10-Mbps phoneline networking that is expected to be completed by midyear.
Tut's HomeRun has been licensed to more than 25 companies, including 3Com, AMD, Compaq Computer, Conexant Systems, IBM, Intel, Lucent Technologies, Motorola and National Semiconductor. Tuesday, Intel launched its AnyPoint Home Network family of products, which is based on Tut's technology.
Meanwhile, Epigram has licensed its 10-Mbps technology to 3Com, Northern Telecom's Netgear division, and Texas Instruments. Epigram also has a codevelopment agreement with Lucent to create a standard based on Epigram's 10-Mbps technology
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So TUT wins round one! The 10 and higher mps were this is all headed is still up for grabs. IMO, anyone holding TUTS needs to be careful, the 10+ mps standard will be hotly contested. |
