Cable Media - March 2018 20_CABLE MEDIA 2018 | Page 11

Broadcom to optimise RDK implementations

RDK Management and semiconductor specialist Broadcom have entered into a strategic development agreement to integrate chipset-level software development kits ( SDKs ) from Broadcom with RDK ’ s open source software . This new effort will provide a common software porting layer to simplify and standardise RDK deployments across CPE suppliers used by video and broadband service providers worldwide .

The companies noted that , historically , each CPE manufacturer uses slightly modified SoC-layer software to support RDK-based devices , even when using the same Broadcom SoC and same version of RDK software . The new approach announced today will allow for a more efficient process to keep Broadcom SoC SDK versions in sync with RDK versions .
Specifically , RDK Management will work with its strategic partners and Broadcom to coordinate RDK-based code changes to Broadcom SDK porting layer versions . RDK Management and Broadcom will then synchronise the release of new RDK versions with the new Broadcom SDK porting layer versions that Broadcom makes available to its licensees . This new effort will optimise and
streamline service provider ’ s efforts to develop and deploy software used on Broadcompowered devices .
“ Broadcom has been a pioneering and leading contributor within the RDK community for years ,” said Steve Heeb , president and general manager of RDK Management . “ This new collaboration further strengthens our collective ability to meet the needs of service providers around the
globe . By simplifying and streamlining the underlying software , services providers and their CPE suppliers can focus more of their attention on enhancing customer experiences that drive business results .”
“ Broadcom is always looking for ways to enhance efficiency and better serve our customers , and this new effort with RDK Management LLC aims to do just that ,” said Rich Nelson , senior vice president and general manager , set top box and cable modem division at Broadcom . “ We believe that optimising the RDK-SoC SDK porting layer will enable CPE manufactures and service providers to deploy and iterate even faster . Broadcom has supported the RDK since its inception , having shipped millions of RDKpowered chipsets used by leading Video and Broadband services providers , and we look forward to its continued adoption across the globe .”
The companies also noted they will initially focus on Broadcom set-top box ( STB ) SoCs and RDK-V ( video ) software , but expect to include broadband gateway SoCs and the RDK-B ( broadband ) software in the future .
To date , more than 25 total service providers across North America , Europe , Latin America , and Asia are members of the RDK community and are in various stages of evaluation , testing , trials , or deployment . There are also now more than 300 technology companies in the RDK community across CE manufacturers , SoC vendors , software developers , and system integrators . In general , new RDK software is released every two weeks , and member companies are downloading RDK software components more than one million times every month .
ARRIS chief : CPE shifting towards broadband
According to Bruce McClelland , CEO of IP with broadband technology specialist ARRIS International , the company expects sales in the CPE segment to continue to shift towards the higher mix of broadband and less video .
Speaking on ARRIS ’ s Q4 2017 Results Earnings Call , McClelland noted that in the CPE segment results benefited from a good mix of higher margin products and continued focus on product cost . “ It was very pleasing to see the new Ruckus enterprise business perform well with a great team effort to hit the ground running and execute on key customer shipments in December ,” he told analysts , suggesting the company was “ very well positioned ” to benefit from the growth in over-the-top traffic and the
increasing dependency on the broadband network .
“ In our CPE business , we have two clear goals in 2018 : expanding our broadband portfolio and improving overall profitability . The upgrade cycle supporting the deployment of 4K video gained momentum in 2017 and we announced new products and supported launches with many of our customers .”
“ In 2018 , we ’ re very focused on expanding our broadband CPE portfolio with a full range of DOCSIS fibre , copper , and broadband wireless devices . And we will be at the forefront of new in-home wireless and networking technologies . And the increased focus on growing our international presence paid off in 2017 , with sales increasing by
more than 15 per cent , we expect to build on this in 2018 with improved visibility in Latin America and strong momentum in Europe and the enterprise business has good moment in all regions .”
In the CPE segment , sales of broadband devices increased 7 % year-over-year with growing momentum in advance DOCSIS gateways resulting in another record level of DOCSIS devices in the fourth quarter . Video set up sales declined 13 year-over-year on lower volumes and a shift in mix towards lighter-weight client devices .
“ We expect demand for gigabit capable broadband devices to continue to strengthen as service providers increase broadband speeds and further their
migration towards IP-delivered video services . We expect continued international growth on the strength of new advanced 4K set-top design wins and as the global refresh cycle accelerates , as an example we just announced the new deployment when with Bell Canada for an advanced Set-Top featuring the latest 4K HDR capabilities with integrated Wi-Fi . And we ’ re seeing continued improvements in the Latin American region as investments begin to return to normal .”
“ We expect sales in the CPE segment to continue to shift towards the higher mix of broadband and less video . And while overall demand remains pretty strong for set-tops , we ’ re being more selective and focused more on profitability than on sales growth . Overall , I think CPE sales will be flat to down 4 per cent year-over-year ,” he advised .
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