The PowerLinc Controller is a stand-alone home automation interface for controlling lights, appliances, heating/air conditioning systems and alarm systems. This module adds on-board memory so timers and macros can be downloaded without the need to leave your computer up and running. This home automation interface uses a computer's Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection for downloading timer and event macros.The Smarthome Design engineers added the internal intelligence to control your home without a computer running a full-time automation program. You'll be able to set up schedules directly on your PC, yet the settings are stored on the plug-in module, so you won't have to keep your PC running to activate timed functions. The PowerLinc Controller retains all the functions of the original PowerLinc USB and adds 32KB of downloadable EEPROM memory that won't be erased if the power fails. On-board clock keeps accurate time, all the time, with integrated 10-year battery backup. Please note: We are aware of a potential problem with the PowerLinc Controller's internal clock that may cause an occasional time drift. We are currently evaluating several solutions to this issue. Also, the PowerLinc Controller does not support INSTEON commands. No More Fights over the COM Ports Unlike other home automation interfaces, which use the slower RS-232 communication protocol, the PowerLinc Controller transfers data at much higher speeds. Best of all, it plugs into any USB port or expansion hub so there's no need to plug and unplug other peripherals like PDAs, scanners or printers when you need to update the programming. In fact, many new computers, in particular laptops, don't include serial ports any longer, which will make using serial-based interfaces expensive and difficult to use.