Broadcom expands satellite device portfolio for operators

LAS VEGAS, USA: Broadcom Corp. announced a new Outdoor Unit (ODU) satellite chipset that enables operators to deliver a wider range of services to more subscribers without additional satellite dish installations.

"With the launch of today's new low-power ODU chipset, Broadcom is helping to expand the availability of satellite services in single homes and multiple dwelling units across the globe," said Nicholas Dunn, Broadcom VP of Marketing, Broadband Communications Group. "By streamlining the cabling required to support a single home or multiple residential units, we've also reduced hardware and installation costs for satellite operators and simplified satellite distribution to consumers."

Access to free-to-air channels provided by a range of satellites has stimulated demand for satellite TV among residential customers worldwide. Up to now, installation cost and the need for separate coaxial cable for each set-top box have resulted in higher deployment cost for satellite operators. Broadcom's BCM4551 addresses these issues, as well as regulations in countries that set a limit on the number of satellite dishes per building.

Broadcom's BCM4551 also offers a higher level of integration, while consuming less power than the previous generation chipset, and it enables direct sampling of low-noise block (LNB) outputs across worldwide ODU satellite markets. The simplified design of Broadcom's new ODU chipset also allows 24 DVB-S2 channels to be stacked on a single coaxial cable to service any set-top box in a home, simplifying and reducing satellite operator installation costs.