Technology convergence for future home networks

In the context of FP7 research program, the ICT OMEGA European project [1] aims to define and demonstrate gigabit home networks (the project started in 2008 and will have a duration of 3 years). Consumers require networks to be simple to install, without the need of any new wire. To achieve this, gigabit radio links and wireless optical communications will provide wireless connectivity within the home and its surroundings. Power-line communications potentially combined with robust RF will provide a home backbone ldquowithout new wires.rdquo To make this network ubiquitous, seamless and robust a technology-independent MAC layer will ensure its global control and provide connectivities to any number of devices the user wishes to connect to it in any room in a house or a flat. In order to make this vision come true, the OMEGA project aims to provide substantial progress in the fields of optical-wireless and PLC physical layers, in protocol design, and in systems architectures.