Date: 12/01/2009

Video over Wi-Fi reference design solutions from Broadcom

Broadcom has integrated Wi-Fi and video chipset platforms for wirelessly transmitting video in the next generation consumer systems. Broadcom is providing consumer electronics (CE) manufacturers with a series of "video over Wi-Fi" reference designs that provide a superior video experience over a wireless connection.

Broadcom has provided video platforms that offer fully integrated Wi-Fi hardware and software for entertainment applications such as iTunes, BD-Live and Netflix to a large screen.

Broadcom has optimized its high bandwidth 802.11n technology and video over Wi-Fi designs to overcome the technical challenges of using wireless protocols for IPTV, providing the industry's first integrated carrier-grade solution for IP set-top boxes. When combined with DLNA functionality, Wi-Fi-enabled devices provide consumers with a transparent way to access and share media between TVs, PCs, cell phones and other devices throughout the home.

Bill Bunch, Director of Broadcom's Wireless Media line of business said, "We've made it simple for our customers to add video over Wi-Fi capabilities to consumer electronics products while taking advantage of the high performance processors, 3D graphics and MPEG-4 high definition (HD) capabilities native to Broadcom's DTV, Blu-ray Disc, set-top box and IPTV platforms."

Broadcom's new video over Wi-Fi reference designs provides better wireless performance to support video applications, including IPTV. Broadcom has optimized its 802.11n solutions to deliver enough bandwidth to support a minimum of three HD streams and four standard definition (SD) streams, while maintaining performance throughout the home. To reduce throughput variation and packet errors, Broadcom employs a combination of advanced PHY techniques including maximum likelihood decoding, rate and antenna selection algorithms and packet error correction technology. Its Wi-Fi solutions also help to avoid performance-degrading interference by using the extra channels available in the 5 GHz band. These hardware and software features are now available on five of Broadcom's IP/satellite/cable set-top box designs, as well as its digital TV and Blu-ray platforms.

Broadcom's video over Wi-Fi reference designs can be used to develop wireless-enabled video products by combining 802.11n components and HD video/audio system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions.