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Tut inks deals with Intel, National

The chipmakers are the latest companies to incorporate Tut's home networking technology in new products.

Tom Dunlap
Tut Systems has announced that Intel will license its home networking technology, the second high-profile deal in as many days for the company.

Yesterday, National Semiconductor said it would license HomeRun for use in a new line of networking chips.

Tut's HomeRun technology enables residential customers to link home computing devices together into a network using ordinary phone lines without disturbing ordinary phone service. The whole in-house network can then be tied to the Internet.

Tut's technology is capable of delivering data transfer speeds of up to 1 megabit per second over existing phone lines in the home. No new wires or connections are required.

The first product from Intel to incorporate HomeRun technology will be the 21145 Phoneline/Ethernet LAN controller.

"HomeRun is a compelling technology for home networking," said Dan Sweeney, of Intel's Home Networking Operation, in a statement. "Because of its low complexity architecture, (the) technology helps us to provide flexible solutions in silicon for both home and office networking."

Tut is becoming a leading player in this area. Last month, Rockwell Semiconductor and Compaq Computer signed deals with the company.

Tut, Intel, Rockwell, Compaq, along with other leading data networking, semiconductor, telephone and computer companies, are founding members of the recently established Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA).

The industry group aims to deliver easy-to-use, affordable, high-speed consumer networking solutions over existing telephone wires, with the first systems to be based on Tut technology.

(Intel is an investor in CNET: The Computer Network.)