Press release 29th June, 2000

Linet is an easy-to-use local operational network system, developed to control simple devices, such as lamps, switches, relays, sensors etc., by a low cost twisted pair cable network. In the 'Villa 2000' experiment house, presented to public in the Tuusula housing fairs, Linet network is used as the basis of the house's lighting control system.
 
In the Villa 2000, lighting is controlled by pushbutton switches, which are mounted on units of 4 pushbuttons each. Each pushbutton is internally connected to a Linet node, which is a single chip network adapter. The switches are equipped with indicator lamps, which light bright in ON state, and dim in OFF state. To install the complete unit, only two wires - single twisted pair cable - has been used. All pushbutton units are connected to the same twisted pair, as well as the power modules, which are located in the basement. System topology is therefore very simple.
 
After the installation of the system was done, it was configured. Linet system is extremely simple to configure. The skills required are comparable to use of a cellular phone, so the tenant himself may do it without assistance from any network specialist whatsoever. To configure the system, the power modules and the corresponding pushbuttons are indicated to the system by simply pressing the buttons. It is also very easy to later modify or expand the system.
 
In the lighting system in the Villa 2000, about 120 Linet nodes are used. The system was totally configured in less than 3 hours.
 
The same twisted pair cable may be shared to other devices than those used by lighting system, e.g. heaters, temperature and humidity sensors, burglar and fire alarms, electrical locks etc. The complete low end electrification installed in a house may thus be controlled by a single, simple system. In addition to the 2 wire Linet network, mains is required by devices requiring heavy power (light fittings, heaters, sockets).
 
Each Linet system may operate stand-alone, or may be connected to a host system or network, such as Internet. Thus each electrical device in the house, or groups of them, may be controlled remotely by using a computer, or a GSM- or WAP phone. Also, many discrete Linet networks may be linked together via Internet, to form larger Linet systems.
 
The benefits achieved by using Linet-networked systems are savings in material and labor when the system is installed, and improved comfort and safety. Linet-based system can easily be modified or upgraded when the use of the house changes, which is not the case with traditional, hard-wired systems.
 
Linet company operates as the network component supplier to equipment manufacturers producing building- or other automation systems. The Villa 2000 experimental house is open to public on the Tuusula housing fairs, from 14th July to 13th August 2000.
 
 
About the company: Linet Oy is a privately held company committed in developing and marketing the Linet network. Products available from Linet are the network chip set and design services. Linet, 'the light network', is an innovative local operational network offering easiest design, set-up and administration in such simple network applications as home automation, alarm systems or industry automation. The Linet network is patented in the USA and Finland, other patents are under pending.
 
 
Linet Oy, 29th June 2000