Las Vegas -- U.K. set-top maker Pace is using Broadcom chips for a media gateway, set-top and IP client box -- each running Comcast’s Reference Design Kit middleware -- designed for the operator’s Xfinity X1 service.
Pace is developing a Media Server Gateway that uses Comcast's XG5 product specification and RDK software, to deliver content to various devices. The gateway provides DOCSIS 3.0 data speeds with wireless and wired networking over 802.11ac and MoCA 2.0 and also supports two wired ports for HD Voice and DECT 6.0/Cat IQ 2.0 cordless handsets.
The gateway will incorporate Broadcom system-on-a-chip solutions, including the BCM3128 Full-Band Capture Cable Multi-Receiver, the BCM3335 Quad Transcoding Hybrid IP Gateway and the BCM4360 5GHz Wi-Fi solution.
“We congratulate Pace and Broadcom on the introduction of their technology for use in their new Media Server Gateway,” Steve Reynolds, Comcast’s senior vice president of premises technology, said in a statement. “Their work on the XG5 Gateway and support of the RDK platform are a key step in delivering continued subscriber satisfaction in today’s environment of rapid technology innovation.”
The RDK software stack, which is based on CableLabs’ OpenCable Application Platform spec, is designed to let manufacturers and MSOs more rapidly get new set-tops and gateways to market.
In addition, Pace announced a high-performance IP client set-top box with MoCA 2.0 and Wi-Fi connectivity, developed in partnership with Broadcom, using the Xi3 product specification from Comcast.
The Pace Xi3 client uses Broadcom’s BCM7428 IP set-top box SoC solution, and includes DLNA and MoCA 2.0 home networking technologies. The hardware design and functionality also has optional wireless connectivity.
“Our work with Pace demonstrates our commitment to delivering interactive, rich and personalized multi-screen entertainment experiences in the home,” said Dan Marotta, executive vice president and general manager of Broadcom’s Broadband Communications Group.
Finally, Pace’s RDK-based RNG150N set-top is based on Broadcom’s BCM7125 SoC. That Broadcom chip supports video-on-demand, IP video streaming and integration of Comcast’s X1 user interface system with features for social networking, personalization and fast search. The Pace RNG150N set-top can be configured to run the X1 user interface as a multiroom DVR client device connected to an XG1 DVR gateway server.
The BCM7125 SoC integrates a full DOCSIS 2.0 cable modem, MPEG-4 HD decoder, MoCA 1.1 modem, 1 GHz tuners and 3D graphics.
“Working with our strategic partners -- Comcast and fellow RDK licensee Broadcom -- has been a great fit for this advanced product development,” Pace Americas president Tim O'Loughlin said in a statement. “This project is a testament to the strength of the RDK and the baseline software ecosystem it provides for rapid development.”
