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Matsushita Electric (Panasonic) Develops Industry-first IPv6 Module With 100 Mbps Data Communication for Networked Consumer Electronics - IPv6 Module to be embedded in consumer electronics beginning 2004 (1/10/2003)

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (MEI), best known for its Panasonic brand of consumer electronics and digital communication products, today announced the development of an IPv61 module that meets the requirements for consumer electronics with a smaller memory capacity and less powerful CPU2. This module consists of IPv6-based communication software and encryption processing3 hardware and provides the industry's first 100 Mbps data communications for networked consumer electronics.

The IPv6 module allows consumer electronics to have networking compatibilities and be seamlessly connected to outside networks such as FTTH5. The module can be embedded in portable devices as well. The module is expected to help speed up and expand establishment of ubiquitous networking environments inside and outside the home to make secure and easy-to-use home networking available to anyone.

The main features of the IPv6 module are:

1. Even with less powerful CPU, the IPv6 module provides secure 100 Mbps data communications allowing data communications via FTTH-based networks and high-definition image transmissions to take place.

2. A compact IPv6 software stack (70kb), only one-third the size of current stacks, can be embedded into networked consumer electronics that are currently being planned, ranging from home appliances to AV products.

3. Full compatibility with different types of networking environments and devices is possible, allowing the module to be embedded to a wide range of networked consumer electronics.

IPv6 modules currently available on the market require large program memory (approx. 200kb). As its data transmission speed is reduced by one tenth when encryption is performed, most IPv6 modules are for PC and research use and can not be practically embedded in networked consumer electronics. The new IPv6 module features IPv6 optimization technology that enables extraction and customization of IPv6 functions for networked consumer electronics. The module also features an IP communications accelerator that enables high-speed data encryption processing with no additional CPU loads.

Networked consumer electronics embedded with this new module are to be commercialized in 2004.

Terminology

1. IPv6(Internet Protocol Version 6) IPv6 is a next generation Internet protocol with more enhanced functions compared with the currently used Internet protocol IPv4. IPv6 has capabilities to manage a larger number of IP addresses (devices to be connected), have additional security functions and control data transmission according to priority.

2. CPU(Central Processing Unit) CPU is the core of personal computers or networked consumer electronics and performs arithmetic operations.

3. Encryption processing Encryption processing stated in this document refers to processing to encrypt IP data before transmitting the data. The method is called IPsec (IP Security protocol) and essential to the IPv6 protocol.

4. Networked consumer electronics Consumer electronics such as AV products and home appliances with additional networking functions enabling to directly connect to the Internet or a home network are referred to as networked consumer electronics.

5. FTTH(Fiber To The Home) High-speed network connection (100 Mbps) and services realized by laying fiber-optic cables to residential homes.

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