Conexant Touts System to Link Home Devices

Newport Beach chip maker Conexant Systems Inc. said Monday that it has developed a home-networking processor, a chip system that can be built into computers and other devices so they can communicate with each other within the home.

The system is designed to be used over a wide range of technologies and appliances, the company said in a press release.

The device can be used in residential gateways, devices that connect to the Internet, and can be used to link computers, printers and other components into a single network.

Analysts from Cahners In-Stat group predict that the market for home-networking chips will grow from $116 million this year to $669 million by 2004.