Embedded database boosts set-top-box software

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Dec 2, 2004

ANT credits McObject's eXtremeDB in-memory embedded database with enabling striking efficiency gains in its new electronic programming guide embedded software for set-top boxes and digital TV.

ANT credits McObject's eXtremeDB in-memory embedded database with enabling striking efficiency gains - including a doubling of information available at a given memory level - in new browser-based electronic programming guide (EPG) embedded software for set-top boxes and digital TV.

ANT's Fresco browser in combination with IP-TV middleware provides a responsive and customisable user interface, digital content control and the capability for a range of interactive services for set-top boxes and digital TV.

In response to customer requests to support larger EPGs, the company delivered a new ANT Fresco in-memory data management plug-in based on McObject's eXtremeDB, along with compressed data transmission capability.

With these enhancements, ANT was able to deliver twice the multichannel programme information to the browser without any increase in set-top box memory, ANT Limited CTO David Fell said.

As a result, users view their program information more quickly and manufacturers incur lower per-unit costs for memory and CPU resources, keeping their products more competitive.

In earlier versions, the ANT software's EPG data was held in JavaScript (for example, as arrays of strings and numbers).

eXtremeDB's all-in-memory data management architecture, optimised for compact data layout with support for varied data types and efficient index structures, are responsible for the dramatic efficiency gains, Fell said.

"We were very impressed with the benefits that McObject has brought to the table", Fell said.

ANT has already licensed the eXtremeDB-enhanced EPG software.

The company expects to roll out the new set-top box software to many additional customers, ANT Vice President of Sales and Marketing Stephen Reeder said.

"Set-top boxes typify a vast range of emerging, networked consumer electronics devices that must provide a local, frequently updated media catalogue for users to browse and organise their choices, in a highly resource-constrained environment, with virtually zero performance latency", said Andrei Gorine, McObject Principal Architect.

"These requirements virtually cry out for a proven in-memory embedded database - and we are pleased that McObject's eXtremeDB has met ANT's needs so well", Gorine said.

McObject eXtremeDB is available from Logic Technology.