Broadcom Produces Set-Top Box Digital-to-Analog SoC

Aug 20, 2008

Broadcom is now producing a new digital-to-analog (DTA) system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution that enables cable set-top box (STB) OEMs to provide cable operators with a cost effective device that transitions analog cable customers to digital broadcasting. The new Broadcom DTA chip paves the way for the expanded network capacity needed to provide additional high definition (HD) content and is currently used by manufacturers building DTA converter boxes for Comcast, the nation's leading provider of entertainment, information and communications.

"Broadcom is a major supplier of SoC solutions for the converter box market and we are very excited to support the nation's transition from analog to digital broadcasting by enabling cable STB manufacturers with a leading DTA chip," said Daniel Marotta, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Broadcom's Broadband Communications Group. "The introduction of this new chip will provide our customers with a state-of-the-art 65 nanometer ENERGY STAR-compliant SoC that will enable them to provide low cost converter solutions demanded by North American cable operators."

BCM3545 DTA SoC enables cable operators to move quickly and cost efficiently to all-digital infrastructures by delivering digital-quality video and audio service to existing analog cable customers. As of the February 17, 2009 broadcast digital transition, cable operators will deliver triple cast services (i.e. analog, standard definition (SD) and high definition digital signals) to their customers, and adapters will become one of the cost effective ways that cable providers will deliver analog and SD broadcast signals.

Designed in 65 nanometer, the single-chip BCM3545 cable DTA SoC provides significant benefits over larger process geometries by enabling lower power consumption, higher CPU and memory performance for fast channel changes, and higher levels of integration that result in smaller form factors and lower cost adapters. The new DTA chip is based upon the earlier generation BCM3543 SoC that is used in many terrestrial broadcast designs and is ENERGY STAR-compliant.

Pricing is available upon request.