Panasonic's HD-PLC: Charge the Electric Car and Transfer MP3s

Since the Consumer Electronics Show, also known as CES, is quickly approaching, companies attending the exhibition have started to announce their latest technologies to be demonstrated at the upcoming event. One of these technologies is Panasonic's HD-PLC, a system that first appeared at the 2004 edition of the CES and which lets you transfer data between two devices using the regular electricity cables at your home. Beside computers, TVs, Pocket PCs and other devices, the High-Definition Powerline Communications system also lets you transfer music, videos or synchronize data between your home computer and your electric car.

This means that you can easily send music, clips or new maps to your electric car without the need for additional connectivity cables. Basically, all you need to do is plug the device into a regular AC outlet and, while charging the car, send and receive data to or from the vehicle.

Even though the technology had the first appearance at the 2004 Consumer Electronic Show, no automaker has yet implemented it, but Panasonic says it has already partnered with different vendors that could help it bring the system to mass-production models.

“Demand for home networks has been increasing as high-speed broadband spreads and video streaming services proliferate,” the newly-founded HD-PLC alliance explained. “HD-PLC (High Definition Power Line Communication) technology offers a convenient and economical way to deliver data and multimedia content over existing in-home power lines right at the wall-outlet.”

The whole system is based on a simple principle: it creates a “wireless” network connection at your home, allowing you to transfer data quickly, easily and securely. And since we're talking about security, HD-PLC uses a 128-bit AES encryption system, similar to the one used by the Unites States government, which makes data leaks almost impossible. The maximum transfer speed has been rated at 190 Mbps, but most connections are likely to go lower than that.

Have a look at the following video to see the system in action. More details are expected in a few days so keep an eye on autoevolution to find more about Panasonic's HD-PLC.