Highlights:

  • The companies will implement the bandwidth-boosted frequency modification as a DOCSIS upgrade.
  • Comcast, Broadcom, and Charter want to create multiple new chips using the next iteration of DOCSIS.

Broadcom Inc., Comcast Corp., and Charter Communications planned to develop chips for cable internet delivery.

Cable TV companies use physical cables to deliver visual material to customers’ homes. Those cables are frequently also utilized for the delivery of home internet packages. Broadcom, Charter, and Comcast are creating chips to dramatically increase the speed of home internet connections provided in this way.

A headend is the beginning of the wires that a cable TV provider uses to send television programming to its customers. Large dish antennas are housed at this location. The antennas are accountable for lifting broadcasts from the media partners of cable TV providers, who deliver the content in the satellite signal format.

Two hops are involved in getting video content from headend antennas to users’ homes. Light beams represent the first portion of the journey in the data. In the second and last leg of the process, the data is transmitted as radio signals over copper lines to users’ TVs. Cable TV companies are able to offer home internet via their connections since those signals may also be utilized to convey web traffic.

These businesses currently transmit web traffic using radio waves with frequencies as high as 1.8 gigahertz. Broadcom, Charter, and Comcast have revealed plans to expand that frequency spectrum to three gigahertz as part of their collaboration. This modification is anticipated to almost double cable internet connections’ maximum capacity to 25 gigabits per second.

“With the 3 GHz capabilities, we’re providing the tools for cable operators to continue to enhance the leading capabilities of their networks while competing with higher and higher speed offerings,” said Charlie Kawwas, President of Broadcom’s Semiconductor Solutions Group.

The companies will implement the bandwidth-boosted frequency modification as a DOCSIS upgrade. Cable TV providers rely on this industry-standard network technology to provide internet connectivity.

Comcast, Broadcom, and Charter want to create multiple new chips using the next iteration of DOCSIS. A portion of the chips will be designed to power modems. Some will be enhanced for utilization in associated network apparatuses like signal boosters, which aid in enhancing the dependability of internet connections.

Broadcom will supply artificial intelligence modules for the forthcoming CPUs. According to the business, the modules can detect and automatically resolve network problems and lower the power required to process online traffic. The AI-optimized silicon from Broadcom is also well-suited for other activities, like cyberattack prevention.

“Supporting a single technology that can be used by all operators efficiently, over their existing networks, allows the industry to leverage its collective investment and to increase the benefits of AI at the edge,” said Charlie Herrin, President of Comcast’s Technology, Product and Experience group.