UPnP Network Bridge for Supporting Interoperability through Non-IP Channels

Abstract

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is widely used to organize home network systems because of its straightforward implementation. However, UPnP networks are based only on TCP/IP, and operation proceeds within a single IP subnet. Previously, no mechanism was available to combine two UPnP networks via non-IP communication. Here, we report the implementation of a UPnP bridge that binds two different networks into a virtual single UPnP network. This allows a control point to use devices registered in another network segment. Furthermore, the bridge protocol utilizes non-IP abstraction communication, which widens the UPnP network to include non-IP networks.