Broadcom Announces Single Chip

Cable World, May 22, 2000 by Karen Brown

Banking on the idea that smaller is better, Broadcom Corp. recently announced what it claims is the first single-chip digital set-top box scheme.

The BCM7100 chip, which boils down the silicon from four chips to one, will translate into a set-top box about two-thirds the size of a standard box. Broadcom has already found a ready pair of vendors in Pace Micro Technology plc and Pioneer Digital Technologies -- both set-top box makers trying to make inroads in an American market dominated in the past by Scientific-Atlanta Inc. and the former General Instrument

The selling point for the single-chip design is not just shrinking the box size but also lower cost in producing the units because of its simpler design. Though smaller, the chip sports better graphics capabilities and performance.

"It is amazing that much technology can be on a single chip," said Rich Nelson, Broadcom's director of marketing for cable TV. "It really drives the integration cost features and performance."

For Britain-based Pace, which has worked with Broadcom in the past on technology for the European market, the single-chip design is a helpful boost for its continued invasion of the American market The company recently won a 750, 000-box commitment from Time Warner, and the units supplied will include the BCM7100 design.

Pace plans to roll out the first compact units in December.

Andrew Wallace, Pace's SVP-Marketing, said being able to market a smaller box gives potential MSO clients the ability to provide a more consumer-friendly device, which doesn't necessarily have to perch on top of the television. It also has obvious advantages in storage.

"Fifty percent less means half as much warehouse space," Wallace noted.

The lone chip design will be incorporated into mid-range boxes first, though Nelson believes that design will eventually find its way into high-performance boxes in which Broadcom now produces a three-chip configuration. Wallace, however, said several design upgrade options are being mulled for Pace's high-end box, but he would not say if the single-chip design would be used.

Broadcom may opt to use the scheme in other chipsets it develops for satellite and Digital Subscriber Line-based set-top boxes.

"Cable is clearly a focus marketplace for our company," Nelson said. "But it certainly doesn't prevent us from doing it in other markets as well, as long as the cost points are supported.