Home Gateway Initiative Document Extends Quality of Service Architecture to Home Network

The Home Gateway Initiative (HGI) released a document Monday that extends its quality of service (QoS) architecture to cover the home network. RD012 outlines requirements for QoS functions such as classification and queuing within powerline or Wi-Fi adaptors that carry Internet data between home gateways and connected smart home devices. The HGI document also explains how multicast content such as Internet TV should be handled by home network adaptors. HGI Chief Technology and Business Officer Duncan Bees said the technical requirements were developed with input from service providers, and HGI has considered a range of technical requirements for the home network that provide guidance for manufacturers. Another recommendation published this month: RD031, which sets requirements for power management of home network devices for energy savings by allowing devices to enter a quiescent state when not actively processing data traffic or performing primary functions, HGI said. The energy savings could be either customer-initiated by turning off a set-top box when not in use, or it could be automatically initiated, HGI said. RD031 defines two functions: network connectivity proxy and the energy controller that controls the power states of connected devices, taking into account the latest European Commission Regulations about power consumption limits for networked standby products, HGI said. “Power saving has been a major focus of service providers for some time and the new work extends beyond consideration of a single box to define coordination among different devices,” Bees said. “It supports energy-saving Smart Home services" and HGI hopes to see a "unified approach to power management of connected devices in the home based upon this architecture.”