Broadcom introduces hybrid headless video gateway SoC

Tuesday, June 11th, 2013
|
Broadcom logo

Broadcom Introduces Hybrid Headless Video Gateway SoC for Convergence of IP and QAM Video Networks; Pairs Fastest DOCSIS Rates with an All IP Video Experience in the Home

  • Allows global cable operators to transition to an all-IP video network at their own pace with a single, unifying software interface supporting DOCSIS, voice, routing and legacy set-top box applications
  • Best-in-class integration delivers low-power, cost-effective hybrid video gateway with 32 downstream and eight upstream DOCSIS wireless voice gateway and complete set-top box video functionality
  • Advanced functionality includes HEVC (H.265) decode, support for 48 channels of video and DOCSIS, and router performance to support dual band concurrent 802.11ac networks

WASHINGTON — NCTA Cable Show — Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: BRCM), a global innovation leader in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, today announced a new single chip solution for cable headless gateways that immediately delivers the fastest Data over Cable Interface Standard (DOCSIS) data rates, whole-home connectivity and an all-IP video experience. The BCM3385 headless gateway adds to Broadcom’s advanced portfolio of single-chip hybrid video gateway solutions that allow operators to provide all-IP video delivery in the home without costly head-end upgrades and complements the recently announced BCM7145 headed gateway system-on-a-chip (SoC).

“Operators are deploying residential headless gateways to optimize capital expenditures and maximize bandwidth throughout the home,” said Dan Marotta, Broadcom’s Executive Vice President and General Manager, Broadband Communications Group. “Broadcom’s BCM3385 makes headless gateways an even more compelling option by lowering the cost of deployment to better serve customers while delivering the most complete set of routing and video features available in the marketplace.”

Broadcom’s BCM3385 combines the functionality that is currently required by up to five separate integrated devices, and is engineered with a dual-core CPU that optimizes system security while retaining the CPU’s high-performance resources. The BCM3385 SoC also integrates a quad transcoder to enable consumers to stream data services and IP video to a range of devices. By also integrating H.265/HEVC video decoder technology, Broadcom’s BCM3385 also transmits high quality video at one-fourth the bandwidth required by MPEG-2 HD, enabling the delivery of UltraHD content using similar bandwidth as today’s MPEG-2 1080p HD.

Broadcom’s new hybrid cable gateway SoC also integrates Broadcom’s breakthrough Full Band Capture tuner and spectrum analyzer technology, which enables remote cable system troubleshooting for a complete picture of the customer’s connection to the cable system to mitigate service calls and save operators substantial expenses. The Full Band Capture technology integrated in the BCM3385 SoC includes 32 demodulators which can be used for DVB-C/QAM or DOCSIS channels and complete channel tuning flexibility up to 1GHz.

The BCM3385 device is also provided with Broadcom’s Euro/DOCSIS 3.0 modem stack, 5G 802.11ac wireless router, packet cable VoIP stack, and Nexus-Trellis set-top box software for system integrators to quickly develop complete solutions for operators worldwide. Broadcom’s Nexus-Trellis set-top box software supports many popular middleware solutions, including the new Open Source-based Reference Development Kit (RDK), which is being adopted or strongly considered by numerous cable operators worldwide.

Availability

The Broadcom BCM3385 is currently sampling.