Dual-band

Insteon is the only home networking technology that makes use of two separate physical layers (RF plus Powerline). Insteon signals automatically jump from one layer to the other, and back. Each layer works around road-blocks in the other. It is estimated that the error rate for a dual band technology might be 100 times smaller than that of a single-band technology.



Simulcast

Like other mesh networks, Insteon signals are repeated by devices in the network. However, Insteon messages are repeated (if and as required) simultaneously by every node in the network. Each repeat of the Insteon signal is referred to as a hop. Each message is designed to stop hopping when it reaches the responder.



Other networks repeat along a pre-determined network “route”. Creating this route and maintaining this route (called “healing”) is complicated and expensive in terms of silicon and memory. Furthermore, the simulcast network scales naturally, while the routed network runs into challenges at a geometrically growing rate.



Statelink

Insteon responders need not understand specific commands to join a scene (virtually everything in home automation is/can be considered a scene), it only need remember the state it was in when the scene was created. Just like your car radio only need remember the station it was on when you held one of your favorites’ buttons. Other technologies use specific commands. Every time a new command is created, products already in customers’ homes become obsolete with respect to that function. Furthermore, Statelink allows a single command to be broadcast to an entire home/building network and simultaneously (and elegantly) cause the scene to enact. Image that versus other technologies where the dozens of lighting circuits (or bulbs) come on one at a time (called the popcorn effect).



The Other Stuff

Like all other modern networking technologies, Insteon has automatic error detection and correction. Every message is confirmed as it is received, and if any errors are detected, the message is automatically resent.



Insteon has only one class of devices, versus two, three or more with Zwave, Zigbee and the other technologies.



Every Insteon DEVICE acts as a repeater -- receiving and sending every message to all other devices on the network. So instead of stressing the network by adding more Insteon devices, you actually strengthen it.



With no central controller or networking setup required, setting up your Insteon network is a simple plug and tap to link one Insteon product to another. Best of all, every Insteon device has its own unique ID, so neighbors and would-be hackers can't control your home.