Consumer Electronics Powerline Communication
Alliance
Frequently Asked Questions
The Organization
- What is Consumer Electronics Powerline Communication Alliance (CEPCA)?
Consumer Electronics Powerline Communication Alliance (CEPCA) is a nonprofit corporation established to promote and continuously advance high speed PLC technology to utilize and implement a new generation of consumer electronics products through the rapid, broad and open industry adoption of CEPCA specifications. CEPCA aims to provide consumers with a comfortable and friendly user experience.
- What is CEPCA's Vision & Purpose?
The purpose of CEPCA is to totally remove the mutual interference between PLC systems that employ different technologies but use the same frequency bands. CEPCA will create and standardize technical specifications that enable different PLC systems to coexist and achieve optimal performance. CEPCA implementations will become an essential function to the widespread usage of CE devices.
- Who are the CEPCA founding companies?
CEPCA was founded by Panasonic Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Sony Corporation on May 20, 2005.
- Where can I find a list of CEPCA member companies?
A complete list of CEPCA Promoter and Contributor members are available on the Member Companies page.
- What is the benefit which becomes a CEPCA member?
All CEPCA members will receive the following benefits:
Company name listed on the CEPCA Web site
Attendance at CEPCA member meetings
Listing as a CEPCA member on collateral
Participation in industry events as a CEPCA member
Access the Members Only area of Web site
Participation in future certification programs.
Promoter Members can participate in the CEPCA Work Groups to create specifications. Promoters may also hold a seat on the Board of Directors.
Contributor Members can participate in CEPCA Work Groups upon invitation by a Promoter company. All Contributors can obtain completed CEPCA specifications and implement them into their products.
For a detailed list of membership benefits, visit the Join Us page.
- How does my company join CEPCA?
To join CEPCA, visit the Join Us page and download the Membership documents. Complete the Membership Agreement and submit to the CEPCA Administration along with the annual member dues. Once the Membership Agreement and annual dues have been processed, your membership will be activated.
- Does CEPCA cooperate with other PLC related organizations?
In order to achieve proliferation of PLC, CEPCA maintains liaison relationships with other organizations that promote PLC in various countries and regions.
- Does CEPCA have a plan to implement logo certification?
CEPCA intends to develop a logo and certification program for modems and the CE devices that implement CEPCA technology based on the CEPCA specifications. Details will be available at a later date.
CE-Powerline Technology
- What is Powerline Communications (PLC)?
PLC is a system which transmits information over existing electric power lines. There are numerous PLC networks inside the average consumers' home. Access to these networks is available through every outlet in a home or office. PLC is a high-speed powerline communication with a maximum transmission speed of about 200Mbps.
- How will the consumer benefit from CEPCA technology?
Modems and CE devices utilizing CEPCA specifications will coexist, eliminating interference between different PLC systems operating through the same frequency bands.
- When will CEPCA specifications be available?
Completion of CEPCA specifications in the Technical Work Group is scheduled for 3Q 2006. These specifications will be available to Promoter and Contributor members. The publication of these specifications to the public is not yet planned.
- Is CEPCA's objective only CE equipments?
The CEPCA technology is not just for CE devices. We also hope it will be widely adopted for office and industrial equipment.
- How is equipment based on CEPCA Specifications installed?
CEPCA members develop tools and chip sets that help implement CEPCA specifications. Installations are based on CEPCA specifications. This Web site continues to provide member information provided by each company. Please check frequently.
- How fast is PLC?
PLC is a high-speed form of communication with a maximum transmission speed of about 200Mbps.
- Where can I learn more about technical details of CEPCA specifications?
The CEPCA Specification is currently under development. Additional information on CEPCA specifications and implementations will be available on the Resources page.