DSP design runs latest cable modem specs

Cable modem architecture will enable fast adoption and deployment of advanced DOCSIS 3.0 specification-based products.

Demonstrating its continued commitment to delivering advanced cable technologies and driving industry innovation, Texas Instruments has developed a DOCSIS 3.0 specification-based cable modem architecture that enables fast adoption and deployment of advanced DOCSIS 3.0 specification-based products.

With a DOCSIS 3.0 network, cable operators can offer enhanced features and superior performance, enabling them to best compete with emerging technologies and deliver the Internet Protocol (IP) services consumers demand.

TI's Puma 5 architecture leverages the company's extensive experience in the cable industry by building on TI's existing Puma family of cable modem technology to deliver the first DOCSIS 3.0 specification based product to the market, featuring download speeds of 160Mbit/s in the low-cost residential configuration and 320Mbit/s in business services configuration.

DOCSIS 3.0 is a CableLabs specification that delivers a new generation of high-speed Internet access to support high-definition multimedia applications, including voice and video, to cable subscribers.

With TI technology, operators can quickly deliver the benefits of a DOCSIS 3.0 network to their subscribers, well ahead of competing offerings.

"DOCSIS 3.0 will be extremely important to our industry in the coming years as our high-speed broadband customers' appetite for advanced performance and features continues to grow", said Comcast Chief Technology Officer Tony Werner.

"We appreciate TI's ongoing commitment to the industry, enabling their customers to deliver on the promise of DOCSIS 3.0 this year with compelling new products".

For cable operators, migrating to a DOCSIS 3.0 network will not require a complete network rebuild.

Delivering the benefits of a DOCSIS 3.0 network will only require upgrades to the cable modem termination system (CMTS) and customer premise equipment (CPE), making it easier and more cost-effective for operators to quickly provide a superior service.

TI's DOCSIS 3.0 product, Puma 5, is a flexible solution optimised for IP services, including voice, data and video, with advanced home networking support to complete the gateway.

The DSP-based Puma 5 offers the highest performance for a variety of applications and incorporates TI's industry-leading Voice over IP (VoIP) technology for the best voice performance over a cable modem.

With the advances made to the architecture and TI's ongoing commitment to emerging cable standards and technologies, Puma 5 is well timed for early market certification and a quick ramp to mass deployment.

"TI anticipates that by 2009 cable operators will stop deploying earlier generations of DOCSIS specification-based products and only offer their subscribers DOCSIS 3.0 technology, as it offers them additional opportunities for revenue with new features and services while providing their subscribers a better technology", said TI Director of Broadband Strategy Peter Percosan.

"Puma 5 will go through certification later this year, with volume expected early in 2008, enabling TI to capitalise on this explosive industry growth and allow our customers to quickly offer advanced DOCSIS 3.0 products".

TI's Puma 5 architecture is based on the DOCSIS 3.0 specification and supports Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), IPV6 and channel bonding for enhanced performance.

The flexible Puma 5 architecture provides an optimum configuration for the broad range of applications the DOCSIS 3.0 specification will enable.

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