The technology industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by the increasing demand for high-speed internet access, ease of installation and scalability, and the ability to overcome coverage limitations in certain areas. This has resulted in the growing importance powerline communication (PLC) technology, which allows data transmission over power lines, and advanced modulation techniques to enhance data rates and signal quality. In the last three years alone, there have been over 1.5 million patents filed and granted in the technology industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in technology: powerline internet. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
185+ innovations will shape the technology industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the technology industry using innovation intensity models built on over 1.6 million patents, there are 185+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, non-volatile flash memory, neuromorphic computing, and haptic feedback interfaces are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. RAID transmission error detection, projector-camera system, and optimized vector processing are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are resistive touch displays and digital watermarking, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the technology industry
Powerline internet is a key innovation area in technology
Powerline internet refers to a broadband internet connection that utilizes the electrical wiring within a home to transmit data, providing an alternative to conventional cable or DSL services. It enables the extension of wireless network coverage, expanding its reach beyond the limitations of traditional methods.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 165+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established technology companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of powerline internet.
Key players in powerline internet – a disruptive innovation in the technology industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to powerline internet
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Broadcom is one of the leading patent filer in the powerline internet domain. One of the company’s patents describes a Power over Ethernet (PoE) electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit that includes three diodes. The first diode connects the positive power port to the ESD protection port, while the second diode connects ground to the positive power port. The third diode connects the negative power port to the ESD protection port.
Other prominent patent filers in the space include Cisco Systems and Signify.
By geographic reach, MaxLinear leads the pack, followed by VoltServer and Energy Reconnect. In terms of application diversity, Broadcom holds the top position, followed by Cisco Systems and Signify.
Powerline internet can improve network coverage and reach in areas where Wi-Fi signals may be weak or unreliable, offering a reliable and stable internet connection throughout the premises. It provides flexibility and convenience, making it a valuable solution for homes, offices, and other environments where seamless connectivity is essential.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the technology industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Technology.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
