Date: 17/03/2010

Set-top-box System-on-Chip IC with integrated CryptoFirewall from ST Micro

ST Microelectronics is sampling the first Set-Top-Box (STB) System-on-Chip (SoC) devices integrated with CryptoFirewall security to prevent hacking of pay-TV broadcast signals. This technology is expected to eliminate the Pay-TV piracy - illicit decryption of signals for viewing or redistribution. Hackers clone the access cards and emulate the card using a PC.

The CryptoFirewall security core is developed by Cryptography Research to meet the pay-TV industry's needs. It is deployed in over 75 million devices used in applications such as satellite, cable and emerging IP-based pay-TV services, and is compatible with pay-per-view and subscription business models.

ST's set-top box IC STi7108 integrates this firewall in the form of hardware.