DOCSIS(R) 2.0 With Downstream Channel Bonding and Unprecedented Embedded
Security Enables Cable IP Video Delivery and Downloadable Security
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Broadcom Corporation
(Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless
communications, today announced the industry's first advanced digital cable
set-top box chip that includes support for DOCSIS(R)/EuroDOCSIS 2.0 cable
modem specifications, as well as downstream channel bonding compatible with
the upcoming DOCSIS 3.0 specification. The new Broadcom(R) single-chip
silicon solution supports the latest video compression technologies,
including advanced video coding (AVC), which is the ITU and ISO joint
standard, MPEG-4, part 10) and VC-1 (the SMPTE standard), and combines the
features of channel bonding with powerful security enabling multiple system
operators (MSOs) to provide new Internet-based IP and more secure video
services to consumers.
Broadcom's new cable set-top box chip enables MSOs to utilize DOCSIS
2.0 for high-speed, two-way set-top communications, including Internet
protocol (IP) video services. To support high-speed cable set-top box
communications, the new Broadcom chip includes downstream channel bonding,
which combines several DOCSIS channels together to significantly increase
data rates when compared to today's cable modem solutions.
Announced today is Broadcom's BCM7118 advanced set-top box chip that
incorporates downstream channel bonding, enabling cable set-top boxes to
support present and future MSO requirements, as defined by the industry
developed Next Generation Network Architecture (NGNA) guidelines. By moving
to a DOCSIS-based platform for voice, video and data, MSOs operating costs
can be decreased while enabling their networks to support richer
interactive services, switched or broadcasted IP video delivery, as well as
other IP voice and data services. At the same time, the Broadcom BCM7118
will enable the development of cost-effective, low cost cable set-top boxes
that provide superior performance and consumer-friendly features, while
featuring embedded security with unprecedented levels of content
protection.
The BCM7118 also features an integrated Broadcom secure processor
(BSP), which provides very sophisticated security features to protect
high-value content and to prevent set-top box tampering. Using distinctive
multi-layered security, the BCM7118 integrates hardware and software that
performs content security functions in a highly protected environment
on-chip, effectively providing a tamper proof barrier for video and audio
content. Moreover, each chip is programmed by Broadcom with a permanent
unique identification and configuration that forms the foundation for
specific conditional access systems, decryption key processing, key
management and system protection that includes the forthcoming downloadable
security system.
"We have integrated a tremendous amount of state-of-the art technology
into the new BCM7118 cable set-top box chip based on cable operator and
customer feedback regarding what they need to compete in their end
markets," said Daniel Marotta, Senior Vice President and General Manager of
Broadcom's Broadband Communications Group. "Our new cable TV set-top box
chip sets a new benchmark for the industry with respect to speed,
performance, integration, and security, plus it supports IP video
services."
Based on NGNA developments to date, the BCM7118 provides support for
all of today's cable network operating requirements, and also integrates
features required to support the transition to CableLabs-based open
industry standards (i.e. OpenCable(TM) Applications Platform (OCAP), DOCSIS
2.0 with DOCSIS Set-Top Gateway (DSG) and Downloadable Conditional Access
System (DCAS)).
Product Information
The new BCM7118 single-chip digital cable set-top box chip, with DOCSIS
2.0 and channel bonding features, includes:
* The latest generations of video compression technologies, such as
advanced video coding (AVC-MPEG-4), VC-1 and MPEG-2.
* Decoding formats for both high-definition (HD) and standard definition
(SD) television programming.
* Advanced Dolby(R) Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, MP3 and MPEG AAC audio
decoders that provide better audio quality, at lower bit rates.
* Certifiable DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS 2.0 and DSG advanced mode software.
* Flexible host digital set-top box software supporting the OpenCable
Application Platform (OCAP) and popular middleware solutions.
* Downstream channel bonding compatible with DOCSIS 3.0.
* A high-performance 2D graphics engine that provides up to 32-bit color
to support OCAP applications.
* The ability to operate with current cable broadcast, video on demand
(VOD) and switched video channels (and in channel bonding modes).
* Over 1000 DMIPS of processing power supporting OCAP, OCAP applications,
channel bonding, DOCSIS 2.0 and DOCSIS DSG advanced mode.
* Sophisticated security hardware that provides enhanced security for
present conditional access (CA) systems and supports requirements for
emerging Polycipher Downloadable Conditional Access Security (DCAS).
Downloadable security eliminates the need for a CableCARD(R) and
supports multiple conditional access systems, retail products, and
multiple cable operators.
* Integrated PVR capability that enables the simultaneous recording of
multiple channels, allowing the user to store and playback the content
throughout the home.
* Support for secure multi-room content distribution over home
networking interfaces.
Reference Design Platforms
The BCM7118 is designed to be used in a wide range of set-top box
applications. These products can range from a very low-cost, entry-level
digital set-top box that supports OCAP, DSG, and DCAS, to higher-end HD/SD
DVR products and multi-room HD/SD DVR client products. As a result,
Broadcom is developing two reference designs, including the BCM97118RNG, a
very low cost, entry-level digital set-top box reference platform to
address applications for basic all-digital video customers, and the
BCM97118, a full-featured reference platform that includes a SATA hard disk
drive and interfaces to support multi-room DVR communications.
Product Availability
The BCM7118 is sampling to early access customers. The chip is packaged
in an 841 PBGA. Pricing is available upon request.
Broadcom's Broadband Communications Group
Broadcom offers manufacturers a range of broadband communications and
consumer electronics SoCs that enable voice, video and data services over
residential wired and wireless networks. These highly integrated silicon
solutions continue to enable the most advanced system solutions on the
market, which include digital cable, satellite and IP set-top boxes and
media servers, broadband modems and residential gateways, high definition
and digital televisions, HD DVD players and personal video recorders.
About Broadcom
Broadcom Corporation is a global leader in semiconductors for wired and
wireless communications. Our products enable the delivery of voice, video,
data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile
environment. Broadcom provides the industry's broadest portfolio of
state-of-the-art system-on-a-chip and software solutions to manufacturers
of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband
access products, and mobile devices. These solutions support our core
mission: Connecting everything(R).
Broadcom, one of the world's largest fabless semiconductor companies
with 2005 revenue of more than $2.67 billion, is headquartered in Irvine,
Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and
Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at 1-949-450-8700 or at http://www.broadcom.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995:
All statements included or incorporated by reference in this release,
other than statements or characterizations of historical fact, are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on
our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry and
business, management's beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of
which are subject to change. Forward-looking statements can often be
identified by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans,"
"predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should,"
"would," "could," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," similar expressions,
and variations or negatives of these words. These forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ
materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking
statement.
Important factors that may cause such a difference for Broadcom in
connection with cable set-top box products such as the BCM7118 include, but
are not limited to, general economic and political conditions and specific
conditions in the markets we address, including the volatility in the
technology sector and semiconductor industry, trends in the broadband
communications markets in various geographic regions, including seasonality
in sales of consumer products into which our products are incorporated, and
possible disruption in commercial activities related to terrorist activity
or armed conflict in the United States and other locations; uncertainties
as a result of the company's previously-disclosed ongoing review of its
practices in respect of options/equity grants to employees, and the
publicized more general review of option grant practices throughout the
technology and other industries by public regulatory bodies, and potential
changes in accounting and other practices resulting therefrom; the rate at
which our present and future customers and end-users adopt Broadcom's
technologies and products in the markets for digital cable set-top box
applications; delays in the adoption and acceptance of industry standards
in those markets; the timing, rescheduling or cancellation of significant
customer orders and our ability, as well as the ability of our customers,
to manage inventory; the gain or loss of a key customer, design win or
order; our ability to scale our operations in response to changes in demand
for our existing products and services or demand for new products requested
by our customers; intellectual property disputes and customer
indemnification claims and other types of litigation risk; our ability to
specify, develop or acquire, complete, introduce, market and transition to
volume production new products and technologies in a cost-effective and
timely manner; our ability to retain, recruit and hire key executives,
technical personnel and other employees in the positions and numbers, with
the experience and capabilities, and at the compensation levels needed to
implement our business and product plans; problems or delays that we may
face in shifting our products to smaller geometry process technologies and
in achieving higher levels of design integration; competitive pressures and
other factors such as the qualification, availability and pricing of
competing products and technologies and the resulting effects on sales and
pricing of our products; the timing of customer-industry qualification and
certification of our products and the risks of non-qualification or
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requirements and evolving industry standards and to identify opportunities
in new markets; changes in our product or customer mix; the volume of our
product sales and pricing concessions on volume sales; the availability and
pricing of third party semiconductor foundry, assembly and test capacity
and raw materials; fluctuations in the manufacturing yields of our third
party semiconductor foundries and other problems or delays in the
fabrication, assembly, testing or delivery of our products; the risks of
producing products with new suppliers and at new fabrication and assembly
facilities; the quality of our products and any remediation costs; the
effectiveness of our expense and product cost control and reduction
efforts; the risks and uncertainties associated with our international
operations, particularly in light of recent events; the effects of natural
disasters, public health emergencies, international conflicts and other
events beyond our control; the level of orders received that can be shipped
in a fiscal quarter; and other factors.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange
Commission filings discuss the foregoing risks as well as other important
risk factors that could contribute to such differences or otherwise affect
our business, results of operations and financial condition. The
forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of this date. We
undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking
statement for any reason.
Broadcom(R), the pulse logo, Connecting everything(R), and the
Connecting everything logo are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation
and/or its affiliates in the United States certain other countries and/or
the EU. DOCSIS(R) and OpenCable(TM) are trademarks of Cable Television
Laboratories, Inc. Dolby(R) is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories Licensing
Corporation. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property
of their respective owners.
Broadcom Press Contact
Laura Brandlin
Senior Director, Marketing Communications
949-926-5108
lbrandlin@broadcom.com
Broadcom Investor Relations Contact
T. Peter Andrew
Vice President, Investor Relations
949-926-5663
andrewtp@broadcom.com
Broadcom Technical Contact
Peter Schenitzki
Senior Product Marketing Manager
949-926-5252
peters@broadcom.com
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SOURCE Broadcom Corporation; BRCM Broadband
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Related links: http://www.broadcom.com
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060609/BROADCOMLOGO AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT: Press, Laura Brandlin, Senior Director, Marketing Communications, +1-949-926-5108, lbrandlin@broadcom.com, or Investor Relations, T. Peter Andrew, Vice President, Investor Relations, +1-949-926-5663, andrewtp@broadcom.com, or Technical, Peter Schenitzki, Senior Product Marketing Manager, +1-949-926-5252, peters@broadcom.com, all of Broadcom Corporation
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