MILPITAS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sigma Designs (Nasdaq:SIGM), a leading provider of system-on-chip (SoC) solutions for delivering entertainment and control throughout the home, today announced that Comtrend is the first company to introduce a HomePlugAV with ClearPathEthernet to powerline bridge. Comtrend is a global supplier of advanced network solutions. Sigma’s revolutionary new ClearPath technology employs MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) features to bring significantly better performance over any other powerline technology currently available.

“Noisynetworks are an ongoing issue with performance over powerline communications. Mobile phone chargers, compact fluorescent lights, and other everyday items heavily impact the throughput of ordinary HomePlug AV solutions and limit the coverage which can be achieved with them. With ClearPath technology, the new Comtrend bridges easily support distribution of multiple HDTV streams in these noisy powerline environments and extend the coverage to rooms located far from the video source.

“We were very impressed with Sigma’s ClearPath technology,said Robert Yao, vice president of product management at Comtrend. “Once we got it into our labs, we used various noise interfering devices to create a very hostile user environment to verify the ClearPath technology. The results were second to none. A true statement to Sigma’s engineering strength.

MIMO delivers a substantial improvement in powerline performance because it uses all three wires in a power outlet: the phase, the neutral, and the ground. When noise is present on the line, ClearPath technology seeks out a clear path around the noise. As a result, the solution guarantees up to twice the performance available on the market today. With the improved performance it delivers, networking equipment manufacturers like Comtrend can offer their customers service provider-grade reliable connections over powerline.

“Comtrend is a leading-edge Taiwanese company making products for the connected home market,said Gabi Hilevitz, vice president and general manager of Sigma DesignsHome Connectivity Group. “The level of test and development they put into their product line combined with their vendor selection shows their commitment to creating solid products for home networking.

Additionally, Sigma’s powerline MIMO technology has been designed to fully comply with the recently ratified G.hn specifications.