ST Secures MoCA Certification for Set-Top Box IC, Simplifying Home Multimedia Networking

Using existing standard coaxial cabling, STi7108M MoCA 1.1-compliant HD-video decoder supports sharing of content and services without requiring new wires

GENEVA — STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications and a world-leading supplier of set-top box ICs, has obtained MoCA® 1.1 certification for its highly featured STi7108M video decoder, enabling High-Definition (HD) set-top boxes or digital video recorders (DVRs) to share content and services easily throughout the home.

The MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) standard for home-entertainment networking uses existing coaxial cables to distribute high-bandwidth content such as streamed HD-video, gaming, broadband Internet access and Over The Top (OTT) services to every room in the house. Providing high speed and quality of service (QoS) features for glitch-free streaming, MoCA provides a convenient solution for homes, multi-occupancy dwellings and commercial properties such as hotels. With the strong commitment from US cable and Pay-TV operators, and trials under way with European operators, according to the MoCA organization, there are large potential markets for MoCA-certified equipment. ST is a Contributor member of MoCA.

“STMicroelectronics’ entrance is a welcome addition to the connected home and supports growing demand for a highly reliable backbone,” said Charles Cerino, MoCA President.

Set-top boxes featuring the MoCA-certified STi7108M can be added to a home network simply by connecting to the coaxial wall socket. As a high-end chip, the STi7108M offers advanced functions such as dual application processors providing 3D TV capability, a high-performance ARM® graphics engine capable of supporting 3D gaming and advanced program guides, and ST’s Faroudja™ video processing, which maximizes the quality of displayed images. With these features, the device makes optimum use of MoCA’s reliable, high-bandwidth connectivity to deliver exhilarating user experiences.

“Successfully obtaining MoCA 1.1 certification for the STi7108M positions us to support customers by delivering even more new MoCA-certified chips to market quickly and efficiently,” said Laurent Remont, General Manager for the Connected Home Division, STMicroelectronics. “In short order, we will offer a complete MoCA-enabled portfolio for end products ranging from simple clients to multi-demodulator gateways.”

Major features of STi7108M:

• Video decoding: H.264, MPEG2, VC-1 or WMV9 Internet video, MPEG4 part 2
• Dual ST40-300 CPUs (4000DMIPS total host-processing performance)
• ARM® Mali-400™ graphics processing unit
• MoCA 1.1 band D (certified), E, F on request
• Ethernet GMAC
• Inputs for up to 6 transport streams, including Ethernet, two eSATA interfaces supporting DVR functionality, three USB2.0 host ports
• Peak MoCA data rate of 170 Mbps
• Five MoCA QoS queues (PQoS, high, medium, low, broadcast)
• Connectivity of up to 16 MoCA nodes
• Dual-Core CPU providing 2400 DMIPS
• Low-power architecture

Samples of the STi7108M are available now.

This mainstream connected set-top box product is intended for high-volume consumption by OEMs and ODMs, and is not available through distribution. If your company has a high-volume need, please contact your ST sales office.