Broadcom Announces BCM4717V Wireless SoC, the World’s First to Complete the Microsoft Mediaroom Wireless Client Integration with HD STB
Broadcom Completes World’s First Microsoft® Mediaroom Client Integration With New Embedded Wireless High Definition Set-Top Box Solution
Broadcom Delivers Production-Ready, Carrier-Grade Wi-Fi for Whole-Home High Definition Video Distribution
Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq:BRCM – News), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that its Broadcom® BCM4717V wireless system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution is the world’s first to complete the Microsoft® Mediaroom™ wireless client integration inside a high definition (HD) set-top box (STB). When coupled with Broadcom’s popular BCM7405 set-top box SoC solution, the BCM4717V-based module enables OEMs to build IPTV solutions that connect to the service wirelessly. Previously, multiple set-top boxes within a home were connected to one another, and to the TV service, via a wired network (such as MoCA, HPNA and Ethernet). The addition of the BCM4717V to the Microsoft Mediaroom client now provides carriers with an embedded wireless option for the in-home deployment of set-top boxes that yields a far faster and less expensive installation method.
The completion of this Mediaroom wireless client integration highlights the continued commitment by Microsoft and Broadcom to make carrier-grade wireless TV service a reality. Broadcom also worked very closely with Cisco to integrate the BCM4717V with Mediaroom into their ISB7005 IP set-top box and VEN401 Access Point. Mediaroom client integration adds the features and functions necessary to control and manage a wireless interface for wide deployment in a carrier network as well as providing a rigorous testing procedure to ensure that consumers will experience glitch-free video anywhere in their home. Functionally, a Broadcom-enabled wireless STB is indistinguishable from a traditionally wired STB, offering the same quality of service (QoS), but now adds reliable and robust distribution of HD video services, whole-home digital video recorder (DVR) services, and content sharing across multiple screens/devices such as TVs, PCs, and mobile phones via Wi-Fi.
Highlights/Key Facts:
- According to ABI Research, approximately 15.5 million STBs will ship with Wi-Fi in 2015 – growing at 35 percent annually from 2010 to 2015.
- Microsoft Mediaroom now supports BCM4717V-based modules on BCM7405 platforms to enable Wi-Fi as a deployment option.
- Carrier-grade Wi-Fi means that the radio, physical layer (PHY) device, media access controller (MAC), and application layers have been optimized to minimize packet loss, provide whole-home coverage, and minimize video glitches as a result of interference or changing wireless conditions.
- The BCM4717V IPTV solution provides:
- Primary operation on the 5GHz band to allow the greatest frequency agility.
- 2.4GHz is also supported for communication with legacy devices.
- MII/GMII connection to the IPTV host SoC such as the BCM7405.
- A superior MIMO radio and digital architecture, coupled with a high power front-end to provide excellent whole-home wireless coverage.
- Automatic detection of multimedia streams to enable QoS processing.
- Advanced interference mitigation features to ensure robust and reliable wireless video transport.
- Added intelligence to enable reliable multicast traffic over a wireless network.
- Support for three direct antenna inputs inside of the STB, along with intelligent algorithms to increase performance regardless of the location and orientation of the client device.
- The Broadcom BCM7405 set-top box SoC solution previously completed Microsoft Mediaroom wired client integration.
Steve Koepp, Senior Manager, Business Development, TV, Video & Music Business, Microsoft Corporation
“Broadcom’s completion of the Mediaroom wireless client integration represents a significant milestone for the expansion of the Mediaroom ecosystem by providing our service provider customers and set-top box OEM partners an equivalent performance wireless option. With Broadcom’s high performance wireless solution, we are together driving the transition to a more connected and personal TV entertainment experience in the home.”
Bill Bunch, Sr. Director of Broadcom’s Wireless LAN Media line of business
“Broadcom is excited to be partnering with pioneers in the connected home segment demonstrating our ongoing and long-term commitment to support Microsoft Mediaroom and the delivery of innovative wireless STB services. We look forward to further collaboration with Cisco, a leader in the IP set-top box market. Our production-ready, carrier-grade wireless solution is a first in the industry, enabling a faster and less expensive installation method for HD-grade IPTV. This should also allow carriers to significantly reduce their overall operating expenses by providing a wireless deployment option for HD-quality in-home set-top boxes.”
Subscribe to RSS Feed:
Broadcom Wireless Connectivity Group
Additional Product Information:
BCM4717V Product Page
BCM7405 Product Page
About Broadcom
Broadcom Corporation is a prominent technology innovator and global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Broadcom products enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile environment. We provide 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®.
Broadcom, one of the world’s largest fabless communications semiconductor companies, with 2010 revenue of $6.82 billion, holds more than 4,800 U.S. and 2,000 foreign patents, and has more than 7,800 additional pending patent applications, and one of the broadest intellectual property portfolios addressing both wired and wireless transmission of voice, video, data and multimedia.
A FORTUNE 500® company, Broadcom is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at +1.949.926.5000 or at www.broadcom.com.
