Hercules Selects Gigle Networks' GGL301 Chip for New 200Mbps Solutions in its ePlug™ Powerline Range

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., BARCELONA, Spain and EDINBURGH, Scotland, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Gigle Networks, a leading developer of intelligent multi-PHY switching devices for both wired and wireless entertainment grade home networking, today announced that Guillemot Corporation, under the brand name Hercules, has selected the company's GGL301 200Mbps HomePlug® AV chip to fuel its ePlug line of Powerline Ethernet Extender Communications products.  The Hercules brand spans specialized IT devices including multimedia speaker sets, webcams, netbooks, DJing solutions and consumer-friendly Wi-Fi solutions.

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The Hercules ePlug line enables users to connect computers, modems or Internet boxes, game consoles, set-top boxes and other broadband communications devices using their home's electric power cables as a communications network, and to share an Internet connection and broadband TV throughout their home.  

"ePlug products give consumers a simple way to bring the Internet to any room in the home without worrying about a weak Wi-Fi signal or having to install complicated, expensive cabling wires," said Vincent Quere, product development Manager with Hercules.  "After intensive tests, we chose the GGL301 chipset to create exciting new products that take advantage of Gigle Networks' unique Xtendnet technology, which amplifies and re-times signals on the powerline to give our ePlug line superior network coverage."

"We are extremely pleased to be collaborating with Hercules on these new members of their family of ePlug powerline communications adapters," said Rick Walker, director, EU sales with Gigle Networks.  "The proven ePlug line has extended Hercules's solid reputation in the powerline communications market, and now the GGL301 device takes ePlug products to a new level of power-efficient performance for accessing the Internet, gaming online, watching broadband TV and streaming HD movies anywhere in the house."

The Hercules ePlug line leverages Gigle Networks' GGL301 solutions to optimize power efficiency, and includes a sub-1 watt standby mode as well as an Idle Mode for additional power savings.  When network traffic is low, the GGL301 automatically reduces its power consumption by approximately 50 percent while remaining fully active and visible on the network.  All GGL301-based products are fully compliant with the European framework directive that sets eco-design requirements for energy-using products (EuP).

Hercules' ePlug powerline communications adapters simply plug into any electrical outlet and use the home's existing electrical wiring to provide Internet access throughout the home.  Each ePlug pack features its own password and provides a pre-secured network, as well as a dedicated user-friendly web interface to www.Hercules.com where advanced users can monitor their Powerline Communications Network, check transfer speeds and reset passwords. The Hercules ePlug range is available as single units or dual packs: ePlug 200C Duo and Solo, and ePlug 200 Multi Duo and Solo (pass-through versions).

Gigle Networks' fully-integrated, low-cost single-chip GGL301 devices are certified HomePlug AV compliant by the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, and are the first to support the IEEE 1901 Inter System coexistence Protocol (ISP) global standard for powerline communications in multimedia home networking, video and audio distribution and smart grid/smart energy.  Gigle Networks' products are the only powerline networking solutions that operate from a single voltage supply and feature a dual MII port implementation for interfacing to additional embedded network processors in more sophisticated applications.  They eliminate any external memory or complex support circuitry, and meet European 2011 Code of Conduct requirements for adapters and QoS, which is important for video distribution around the home.  They also meet the active and standby power requirements for adapters of the Energy using Products Directive (EuP) Lot 6.

About Gigle Networks: Plug into the Fun

Gigle Networks provides System-on-Chip (SoC) integrated circuits and complete system solutions for multimedia home networking that can extend wired and wireless Ethernet everywhere in the home – without the need for new wires. Targeted for applications such as Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), broadband TV (BBTV), video on demand (VoD), and voice over IP (VoIP), Gigle Networks' products offer superior performance, coverage and Quality of Service (QoS) when compared to alternative communication technologies, and are designed to be easily integrated into consumer electronics and networked products. Gigle Networks is a strong supporter of open standards, a board member of the HomePlug Powerline Alliance, and an active participant in the IEEE 1901 standards body and the ITU-T G.hn wireline standardization initiative. Gigle Networks has offices in Redwood City, Calif., Barcelona, Spain, and Edinburgh, UK.

About Guillemot Corporation:

Guillemot Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of interactive entertainment hardware and accessories. The Group offers a diverse range of products under its Hercules and Thrustmaster brand names. Active in this market since 1984, the Guillemot Corporation Group is currently represented in 11 countries, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Holland, Hong-Kong, Romania and Italy, and distributes its products in over 30 countries worldwide. The group's mission is to design high-performance and user-friendly products to improve the satisfaction of users of interactive digital entertainment solutions.  www.guillemot.com

SOURCE Gigle Networks