Broadcom Sets Integration and Performance Bar with Next Generation 802.11n Wi-Fi(R) Media Solutions

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 2010 International CES -- Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced its next generation single-chip 802.11n USB solutions for multimedia applications. As a follow-on to the success of the world's first single-chip dual-band 802.11n Broadcom® BCM4323, these new Wi-Fi® solutions integrate high-performance Power Amplifiers (PAs) in a single monolithic CMOS die and leverage ubiquitous USB interfaces to add high performance Wi-Fi connectivity to PCs, TVs, set-top boxes (STBs), broadband modems, Blu-ray Disc® players, and other consumer electronics devices.

The Intensi-Fi® XLR Wi-Fi media family consists of a 2x2 2.4 GHz-only solution (BCM43235) for cost-sensitive internet connectivity applications, a fully integrated dual-band radio transceiver with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band transmission capability (BCM43236) for whole-home video streaming applications, and a fully integrated dual-band radio transceiver with custom enhancements and software to support carrier-grade IPTV applications (BCM43238).

Highlights/Key Facts:

• Universal serial bus (USB) is nearly ubiquitous in computing products and now found in a large number of consumer electronics devices. Wi-Fi equipment vendors offer USB adapters (often called dongles), with which consumers can connect everyday products to their home Wi-Fi networks.
• As online video content continues to grow, more consumers want to access over-the-top (OTT) broadband video delivered through internet protocol (IP) to their TVs. OTT broadband video is generally considered to be content that is delivered directly to TVs in addition to a normal broadcast service or multichannel television package. Broadcom is addressing this growing consumer demand by connecting media platforms, such as TVs, Blu-ray Disc players and set-top box products, to a broadband IP pipe using Wi-Fi, which in turn, enables consumers to view this content on a large screen TV.
• Broadcom's new USB-based system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions provide the bandwidth and quality of service necessary to stream HD video reliably throughout an entire home, share media content, and utilize internet-based applications. This is important as consumers migrate to IPTV and other services that require their entertainment devices to be connected to a network and support their lifestyles. Broadcom is driving down the cost of adding wireless HD video streaming to price-sensitive consumer devices via low-cost, single-chip 802.11n solutions.
• Broadcom's new dual-band 802.11n SoC solutions (offered in their Wi-Fi media portfolio) serve the growing number of consumers who are using the 5 GHz spectrum of their wireless network for video streaming. With greater network capacity and less interference than the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band is ideal for multimedia applications that require higher bandwidth, more robust signals and lower latency. Additionally, dual stream (2x2) capability allows consumers the flexibility to place their Wi-Fi enabled HD video system wherever it suits their needs and still enjoy an uninterrupted high-quality viewing experience.
• The key features of the new Broadcom Wi-Fi USB adapter solutions include:
  • Two dual-band radios (one 2.4 GHz and one 5 GHz) with integrated high-performance PAs
  • An ARM® host offload processor and RAM that reduces wireless tasks from the host processor, enabling the device to achieve maximum Wi-Fi performance with no incremental load impact vs. wired Ethernet
  • Data rates up to 300 Megabits per second (Mbps) and TCP throughput of 200 Mbps over short distances and guaranteed, robust throughput of 40Mbps+ at the edge of a >3000 ft(2) home
  • Bill of material (BOM) cost reductions by up to 40 percent, bringing down the total cost of 802.11n solutions
  • Over 50 percent smaller size than competing solutions, some of which feature four discrete components to match the functionality of the 4323x family
  • 65 nanometer CMOS design that promotes high integration and low power consumption
  • Broadcom's OneDriver(TM) software support and WHQL certified driver support for Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows 2000 operating systems for client applications
  • Linux® support for access point and router applications
  • Comprehensive wireless network security support

Supporting Quotes:

Bill Bunch, Director of Broadcom's Wi-Fi Media line of business

"Broadcom has proven itself as a leader in 802.11n Wi-Fi media solutions with design wins shipping in high-volume products from the top consumer electronics OEMs. With this next generation family of products we are delivering a large cost reduction, setting the stage for much higher attach rates of Wi-Fi in DTV, Blu-ray, and set-top box products. In addition, we are raising the bar in the industry by offering the carrier-grade performance and quality of service necessary to stream HD video reliably throughout an entire home in a compact and inexpensive form factor that our competitors are not able to match. As a result, end users will be able to wirelessly share and enjoy media content using internet-based applications as connected TVs become ubiquitous."

Subscribe to RSS Feed:

Broadcom Wireless Connectivity Group

http://bit.ly/7Tkbb4

Other Supporting Resources:

BCM4323 Product Page

http://bit.ly/4H1Jec

BCM4323x Product Page

http://bit.ly/4PvD9P

About Broadcom

Broadcom Corporation is a major technology innovator and global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Broadcom products enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile environment. We provide the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art system-on-a-chip and software solutions to manufacturers of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile devices. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything®.

Broadcom is one of the world's largest fabless semiconductor companies, with 2008 revenue of $4.66 billion, and holds over 3,650 U.S. and over 1,450 foreign patents, more than 7,750 additional pending patent applications, and one of the broadest intellectual property portfolios addressing both wired and wireless transmission of voice, video, data and multimedia.

A FORTUNE 500® company, Broadcom is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at +1.949.926.5000 or at www.broadcom.com.

Cautions regarding Forward Looking Statements:

All statements included or incorporated by reference in this release, other than statements or characterizations of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry and business, management's beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject to change. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the ability of end users to wirelessly share and enjoy media content using internet-based applications, the demand for Wi-Fi-enabled USB adapters and our position in that market. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

Important factors that may cause such a difference for Broadcom in connection with BCM43235, BCM43236 and BCM43238 USB adapter SoC solutions, but are not limited to:

• Trends in the broadband communications markets in various geographic regions, including seasonality in sales of consumer products into which our products are incorporated;
• The timing, rescheduling or cancellation of significant customer orders and our ability, as well as the ability of our customers, to manage inventory;
• The gain or loss of a key customer, design win or order;
• Competitive pressures and other factors such as the qualification, availability and pricing of competing products and technologies and the resulting effects on sales and pricing of our products;
• The timing of customer-industry qualification and certification of our products and the risks of non-qualification or non-certification; and
• The level of orders received that can be shipped in a fiscal quarter; and other factors.

Additional factors that may cause Broadcom's actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the list that can be found at http://www.broadcom.com/press/additional_risk_factors/Q42009.php.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss the foregoing risks as well as other important risk factors that could contribute to such differences or otherwise affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of this date. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.

Broadcom, the pulse logo, Connecting everything, the Connecting everything logo, Intensi-fi® and One Driver(TM) are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

    Trade Press                     Investor Relations
    Jessica Ingraham                T. Peter Andrew
    Public Relations Representative Vice President, Corporate Communications
    949-926-8008                    949-926-5663
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SOURCE Broadcom Corporation; BRCM Mobile & Wireless