Green Plug (San Ramon, Calif.), founded in 2006, has announced a joint development agreement with Imagination whereby Green Plug will implement the Greentalk protocol on ICs based on Imagination's IP.

The Greentalk protocol allows the exchange of power information through the power line between power adapters and electronic products. This communication can be used to promote interoperability, reusability and enables new power monitoring and control applications to be built on top of the protocol. The result, according to Green Plug, is a smarter DC power adapter that reduces wasted power consumption, which automatically shuts-off when power is not needed, and can be configured to serve power to two or more Greentalk-enabled products concurrently.

Green Plug said it will develop two products using Imagination's IP: the next generation of Green Plug Power Processor (GPP) chip for power supplies, and the Greentalk Load Processor (GLP) "macro" inclusion in consumer electronic devices. With the GLP, devices can communicate with Greentalk-enabled power supplies over the existing power cable and connector on the device.

The GLP will enable makers of a wide range of CE products to include a smart power interface for little or no charge.

"We believe the Green Plug approach and Greentalk technology are significant leaps forward towards smart power management and a more energy efficient world," said Hossein Yassaie, CEO of Imagination Technologies, in a statement issued by Green Plug.

Frank Paniagua Jr., CEO and founder of Green Plug, commented: "The GLP makes it easy to turn on the functionality necessary for products to work with smart, universal and reusable power adapters. We are delighted to gain access to Imagination's innovative META processor IP and extensive ecosystem via this new agreement."

Related links and articles:

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