Broadcom expands 802.11ac MU-MIMO portfolio for routers, service provider gateways and set top boxes

Technology extends range and enables more robust wireless video delivery, lowering cost of deploying Wi-Fi for OEMs and service providers

SAN JOSE, Calif., and SINGAPORE , October 18, 2016: Broadcom Limited (NASDAQ:AVGO), a leading designer, developer and global supplier of a broad range of analog and digital semiconductor connectivity solutions, today announced a new 4x4 802.11ac Wave2 solution which enables significantly better range performance in addition to video over Wi-Fi acceleration capability. The BCM4366E Wave-2 802.11ac 4x4 radio incorporates RangeBoost technology for enhanced Wi-Fi coverage and DoubleZero acceleration technology enabling best-in-class Video over Wi-Fi capability.

Broadcom’s RangeBoost technology provides up to 9 dB of receiver sensitivity improvement by utilizing advanced signal processing techniques coupled with unique receiver architecture. Routers or gateways which incorporate BCM4366E with RangeBoost will benefit from an expanded coverage area and the ability to deliver high internet speeds to smart phones and tablets.

The BCM4366E also implements Broadcom’s DoubleZero Acceleration for wireless video delivery enables zero packet loss and zero host CPU consumption when paired with Broadcom service provider gateway and router SoC platforms.

With DoubleZero Acceleration technology Wi-Fi packets can bypass the host CPU via a hardware acceleration path allowing the host CPU to be fully utilized for other applications including home automation and IOT. Since wireless video is fully offloaded from the host CPU, it eliminates the possibility of video packet loss due to contention for limited CPU resources. Broadcom’s unique system level approach tightly integrates the gateway SoC with the WLAN radio enabling performance and cost benefits not otherwise achievable.

Broadcom BCM4366E Solution Benefits

• RangeBoost substantially improves Wi-Fi signal reception allowing Wi-Fi clients to connect further at higher speeds while reducing dead spots
• DoubleZero Acceleration helps guarantee zero packet loss for wireless video delivery by ensuring video packets aren’t competing for limited host CPU resources
• Host CPU is freed from Wi-Fi processing allowing available CPU cycles to be utilized to run other applications or reserved for future proofing

“Enhanced Wi-Fi coverage and enablement of reliable wireless video delivery have become universal requirements across our OEM and service provider customer base,” said Greg Fischer, senior vice president and general manager of Broadband Carrier Access at Broadcom. “With the technology incorporated into BCM4366E and Broadcom’s ability to focus on platform level solutions, we are able to address some of the most critical challenges related to our customers Wi-Fi service deployments.”

Broadcom will be demonstrating the BCM4366E solution at Broadband World Forum in London, October 18-20, 2016, Meeting Room #36.