Broadcom's Two-Line Cable Modem Chip

Broadcom just let us know about its new BCM3351, a low-power, two-line, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) cable modem chip. The new single-chip modem is Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS)/EuroDOCSIS 1.0/1.1- and CableHome-capable and is available with Broadcom's PacketCable VoIP software. Broadcom says the BCM3351 gives cable operators a low cost cable broadband gateway that can deliver voice, video, data and home networking services. The chip's features can enable everything from multiline digital IP cable telephony to secure networked multimedia broadband services. The new single-chip cable modem provides two lines of VoIP/Fax over Internet Protocol (VoIP/FoIP), 32 megabit per second (Mbps) multimedia home phoneline networking, and extensions for IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth wireless networking. Broadcom is now also shipping a two-line VoIP cable modem reference design called the BCM93351VCM, which is a DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS VoIP capable cable modem with Broadcom's CablexChange and Propane software, along with connections for 10/100 Ethernet, USB 1.1 and 32Mbps HPNA 2.0. Broadcom's HPNA 2.0 gives you a 32 Mbps multimedia Ethernet-like network over existing phone wires. The BCM93351VCM includes schematics, Gerber files, bill of materials, software source code and dedicated applications and engineering support. The BCM3351 single-chip cable modem is available now in a 484-pin PBGA package, and is priced at $50 in 100,000 unit quantities.