Vol. 8 No. 12 December 2006 - OIC · Vol. 8 No. 12 December 2006 ... ZTE GPON OLT and PMC-Sierra...

Vol. 8 No. 12 December 2006

Home Networks Newsletter is published monthly by Information Gatekeepers Inc.

320 Washington St., Brighton, Massachusetts 02135, USA. Fax: (617) 782-5735. Editorial telephone: (617) 782-5033.Circulation telephone: (617) 782-5033. (800) 323-1088 (Outside MA)Publisher/Editor: Dr. Paul Polishuk Editor: Dr. Hui Pan Managing Editor: Bev WilsonCirculation Mgr: Jaime Perez Subscription rates: $695 per year, U.S. and Canada; $745 per year elsewhere.Discounts available for multiple subscriptions.© Information Gatekeepers Inc. 2006. All rights reserved. (ISSN 1531-4847)No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a data base, or transmitted without prior written permission of the publisher.For photocopying authorization, contact Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923, Tel: (978) 750-8400.

In This Issue...

PARTNERSHIPS

Conexant and Conax team to secure set-top box design-

win and improve HDTV broadcast security

Conexant Systems Inc., a provider of semiconductorsolutions for broadband communications and the digital home,

2006 20110

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1

7.5

NAS-on-chip market(millions of units)

Source: ABI Research

WiLife announces channel

reseller program ............ 2

PMC-Sierra

and ZTE demonstrate

interoperability between

ZTE GPON OLT and

PMC-Sierra GPON ONT

reference designs.......... 3

CEA-CompTIA

DHTI+ certification beta

exam now available....... 4

Arkados

to unveil turnkey reference

designs at CES ............. 6

SiConnect’s first powerline

transceiver enhances

performance of in-home

powerline networks ....... 8

NDS announces acquisition

of Jungo Ltd., a provider of

software for residential

gateways ....................... 9

Copyright 2006 Information Gatekeepers Inc. 320 Washington St. Brighton, MA 02135 Tel: (617) 782-5033 Web: www.igigroup.com

2

Home Networks Newsletter December 2006

announced that Humax, an internationalmanufacturer of digital set-top boxes (STBs),has selected the company’s CX2417X/CX2418X high-definition television (HDTV) STBsystem solution for a new receiver that will bedeployed by ComHem, Sweden’s largest triple-play voice, video, and data operator. Conexantcollaborated with Conax AS, a supplier ofconditional access solutions for digital TV, tosecure the design-win and deliver an integratedsolution that improves the security of HDTV pay-television programming.

“The combination of our advanced HDTVdecoders and Conax’s proven encryptiontechnology improves the security of pay-TVservices, which is important for operators suchas ComHem because it has a direct impact ontheir bottom line,” said Lewis Brewster,executive vice president and general managerof Conexant’s Broadband Media Processingbusiness. “As a result of our collaboration withConax, Humax can provide ComHem with acustomized set-top box that will help themsafeguard their programming and maximizetheir revenue opportunity.”

“We have worked with Conexant onmultiple programs, and they have consistentlydemonstrated their willingness to deliverdifferentiated products that meet therequirements of our diverse customer base,”said Dr. JuHa Park, vice president and generalmanager of Humax’ Set-top Box division. “Thisflexibility, coupled with their superior set-top boxsystem solutions, is why we chose to work withthem on this important project.”

“The increased availability of HDTVprogramming has elevated the need for bettersafety measures to protect this valuablecontent,” said Geir Bjørndal, chief operatingofficer and vice president of sales and marketingfor Conax.

“We are pleased that our collaborationwith Conexant will provide operators and set-top box developers with a solution for thisimportant requirement.”

Conexant’s CX2417X/CX2418X familyfeatures a complete suite of hardware andinterfaces to process, format, and display high-definition digital content with full support of high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP).The multiformat decoders support MPEG-1,MPEG-2/H.264 video, Dolby Digital, DolbyDigital Plus, MPEG-4 advanced audio coding(AAC), and aacPlus audio. The product familyis compatible with industry broadcast standardsincluding DVB and ATSC.

Conexant offers a comprehensive suiteof digital STB components and system solutionsfor worldwide satellite, terrestrial, cable, and IPentertainment broadcasting networks.

The company’s product offering includessilicon tuners, demodulators, MPEG audio andvideo decoders, and dialup and DOCSISmodems.

Complete reference designs that helpmanufacturers reduce cost and speed time-to-market are also available, bundled with a rangeof operating systems, middleware, drivers, anddevelopment tools.

WiLife announces channel reseller program

WiLife Inc. announced the launch of anew reseller program for IT value-addedresellers (VARs), security dealers, and custominstallers. The WiLife Reseller Program extendsplug-and-play video security sales opportunitiesto a variety of channel partners.

“We are building a network of resellersto bring WiLife Video Security to homeownersand small businesses,” said Kerry Brock, vicepresident of sales and channels at WiLife. “Ourprofessional-grade video security system is anaffordable alternative to more costly andcomplex systems and offers big businesssecurity at a small business price.

This program offers a tremendousopportunity for solution providers to sell andinstall full-featured digital video security with farless complexity and cost than traditional networkcameras and components.”


3


WiLife’s Reseller Program launches withan online signup process and access to adedicated inside sales team. Authorizedresellers will have access to a multimediaproduct technology tour; links to downloadableproduct images, product guides, sales andmarketing tutorials; and a host of collateralmaterial to provide dealer training and support.Various participation levels and programdiscount structures offer flexibility for any sizereseller. D&H, a national distributor, is partneringwith WiLife to enable easy distribution of productto WiLife’s expanding reseller channel.

WiLife’s innovative LukWerkstechnology, joined with WiLife’s new ResellerProgram, offer various opportunities to differentsegments of the channel. IT VARs have theopportunity to easily move into digital videosecurity sales. Custom installers and securitysystem resellers are touting the ability to offervideo security with no wires to pull or complexnetworks to configure.

Roger Resley, president of EliteTechnology Company, said, “The ease of useof LukWerks technology has been a big plus formy customers. The robust dealer supportprovided by the new WiLife Reseller Programgives me everything my sales reps need to sellWiLife’s products — video tours, productcollateral materials, and Web-based producttraining.”

The LukWerks video security system isWindows based. Once software is loaded onthe PC, the LukWerks cameras are plugged intoelectrical outlets and the PC software creates avideo security command center in minutes.HomePlug powerline technology enables videorecording to a PC’s hard drive over existingelectrical wires.

Motion-based recording, customizablesecurity alerts, and powerful search tools easilymanage recorded video for up to sixcameras.ºSecure, free remote viewing from anyWeb browser makes this the most robust systemat a remarkably affordable price.

Interested resellers should call844.585.9375 or visit http://www.wilife.com/partners.

BUSINESS

PMC-Sierra and ZTE demonstrate

interoperability between ZTE GPON OLT and

PMC-Sierra GPON ONT reference designs

PMC-Sierra Inc. and ZTE Corporation, aChinese manufacturer and provider ofcommunications equipment and solutions,demonstrated interoperability between the ZTEGPON OLT and PMC-Sierra’s GPON ONTreference design during the ITU Telecom World2006 conference in Hong Kong. This was thefirst live demonstration of PMC-Sierra’sreference design for ITU-T GPON FTTH ONT.

PMC-Sierra’s GigaPASS-based ONTdelivers both line-rate processing and line-ratethroughput for all packet sizes, a feature thatensures a high level of quality of service (QoS)that is essential for successful delivery of triple-play services (video, voice, and data) in theaccess network.

“ZTE is a leading manufacturer ofcommunications equipment in China, with agrowing global presence. We are pleased to becollaborating with them and to demonstrate ourGPON ONT reference design working with theZTE OLT,” said Victor Vaisleib, general managerof the FTTH Business Unit at PMC-Sierra.

“PMC-Sierra is the market leader in thePON market in Asia, so they understand theneed for interoperability in developing highvolume markets,” said Mr. Xu Ming, generalmanager of ZTE’s Network Business Unit. “Ourjoint GPON testing exceeded our expectations.Our GPON product line is targeted to meet theneeds of global markets.”

PMC-Sierra’s ONT is based on the GbpsGigaPASS FTTH architecture deployed in highvolume in the EPON FTTH product line. TheGigaPASS device architecture combines a wire-speed data path with an OEM-programmable


4


control processor with software OS andmiddleware software stacks. The GigaPASSarchitecture supports QoS-aware line-rateprocessing for all packet sizes, which is essentialfor guaranteeing services in all network trafficscenarios and making the network future-prooffor future applications.

“Since its announcement last year, theindustry has been awaiting to see PMC-Sierra’sGPON silicon,” said Jag Bolaria, senior analystfor The Linley Group. “Meeting specifications isone thing, but interoperability in the field will bean important factor in determining if PMC-Sierracan repeat in the GPON market the successthey have enjoyed in EPON markets. Obviously,ZTE is an excellent partner given their widerange of communications equipment and theirbroad-based presence in many global markets.”

CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ certification beta exam

now available

The Computing Technology IndustryAssociation (CompTIA), a provider of vendor-neutral certifications for information technology(IT) workers around the world, and theConsumer Electronics Association announcedthe availability of a beta version of the new CEA-CompTIA Digital Home Technology Integrator+certification.

CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ is a credential thatvalidates a technician’s knowledge and skills toconfigure, integrate, maintain, troubleshoot, andcomprehend the basic design concepts ofelectronic and digital home systems.

Target candidates for this certification areexpected to come from a variety of industriesand job roles related to home technology,including technology integrators; securitysystem technicians; cable, satellite,telecommunications, and A-V installers;electricians; and network administrators.

The new CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ betaexam (HT1-201) is intended for individuals with18-24 months’ experience in some area of homeintegration technology. Individuals who pass the

beta exam will be certified as CEA-CompTIADHTI+ professionals.

The CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ beta exam isavailable worldwide in English. The examconsists of 115 multiple-choice questions.Individuals will have two hours to complete thetest. Candidates who take the beta exam willbe notified by mail of their test resultsapproximately six to eight weeks after the betaexam period closes. The beta exam is free andavailable for a limited time only.

The beta test is used to ensure that thefinal certification exam is fair and reliable.Candidates who take the beta exam are helpingCompTIA to establish the appropriaterequirements for the certification. After atargeted number of candidates have taken theexam, the results are analyzed and a passingexam score is established. The permanent CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ certification exam is thenlaunched. Test takers who pass the beta examwill be certified as CEA-CompTIA DHTI+technicians.

The CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ beta exam isavailable through all Thomson Prometric andPearson VUE testing centers around the world.To register for an exam, visit www.comptia.org-registerforexam. Additional information on CEA-CompTIA DHTI+ is available at http://certification.comptia.org/hti/dhti_faq.aspx.

CONTRACTS

Village Homes selects Lagotek home

automation system

After an extensive test period, VillageHomes, a home builder headquartered inEnglewood, Colorado, has selected the LagotekHome Intelligence Platform (HIP) as an upgradefeature for both buyers of Village Homes’ some600 new homes per year and as anenhancement for past home buyers. SinceLagotek is based upon a wireless systemdesign, new or existing homes can be installedwith ease. This agreement is a first step towards


5


Lagotek’s goal of making home automation astandard feature of every new or remodeledhome. Lagotek’s Dual Wireless approach andfocus on the ease of installation and ease ofuse brings home automation within the reachof all homeowners. Village Homes buyers willbe introduced to home automation and LagotekHIP at the Distinctive Choices Studio, whichincludes the TECHTouch Showroom. VillageHomes TECHTouch department provides itsbuyers with the latest in home technology,entertainment, communication, and security.

“Lagotek Home Intelligence Platform isan ideal choice for our buyers. It offers a richset of features combined with ease of use, andease of installation. Wireless solutions offeredby Lagotek provide the lowest total cost ofownership for any system we have tested,” saidJosh Stewart, TECHTouch sales manager.

Lagotek was founded with the vision ofbringing automation to the mass market. TheVillage Homes relationship represents a majorstep toward making this vision a reality.

Unlike many previous home automationsolutions that have been primarily hardwarebased and hard wired, Lagotek is offering dualwireless technology where functionality isprovided through the use of software runningon an open hardware platform.

Current software applications (FusionSuite v 2.0) for the HIP platform from Lagotekand its partners include the following:

- Climate control with multiple zones ofheating and air conditioning

- Lighting- Distributed audio- Video Surveillance- IrrigationMany more applications, such as

security, LED lighting, shade and curtaincontrols, intercom, and many others, will beavailable from Lagotek and its partners in thenear future.

“We are excited to offer Lagotek HomeIntelligence Platform to our customers,” says

Todd Baker, vice president of sales for VillageHomes. “We see automation as an integral partof new homes going forward, that provideconvenience, comfort and efficiency thatpreviously was available only on the high-end.Lagotek’s simple and intuitive interface helpspeople fully realize all the potential of their homesystems. We are looking forward to being anindustry leader in making home automation anintegral part of every home.”

In today’s homes, people are forced toaccept the wall clutter created by multiplekeypads that are located in various parts of thehome. Each has its own system for use, whichis not very intuitive. Lagotek’s approach is toprovide a touch-screen interface from wallpanels (HIP100) that are installed in the mostlived-in areas of the home. From these panels,the owner can control every system in the housewith a simple button click. These panels serveas one interface between people and thetechnologies.

Dual-wireless, dual-processor panelsoffer a very powerful and reliable solution.Lagotek sees the future in integration ofnonproprietary technologies controlled throughone user interface.

The CEO of Lagotek, Eugene Luskin,noted, “We are delighted to work with VillageHomes and its TECHTouch department. Theyhave the vision, technical knowledge anddedication to quality that make them a greatpartner. We are looking forward to many happycustomers who will live in Village homes anduse Lagotek systems every day.”

Lagotek approaches home automationfrom the customer’s perspective. The HIP100touch-screen panels, from which the userscontrol the functionality of their homes, weredesigned to be elegant but unobtrusive, easilyblending with interior decor when not in use. Dueto the wireless nature of the product, there is noneed to run new wires, since the panels fit intoa standard 2-gang electrical box replacing the“20th century” dimmers and switches.


6


The Lagotek Fusion Suite Version 2.0represents Lagotek’s initial collection of softwareapplications developed for the HomeIntelligence Platform. Taking a page from theMicrosoft history of success, Lagotek providesan open platform that allows third-partyindependent software vendors (ISVs) to developnew applications and provide support for manydifferent types of home systems and appliances.These applications will run on the Lagotek HomeIntelligence Platform in synergy with Lagotek’sown applications.

All these applications will benefit fromLagotek’s “secret sauce” technologies, knownas Scenes and Modes. These technologiesallow the user to set all the systems in the houseto the desired state by pressing just one button(Scene) or switch from state-to-state or fromScene-to-Scene based on time or any otherevent. The objective is to make the system fullyautomated and minimize the need for humaninteraction.

For example, pressing one “Good Night”Scene button triggers multiple events such aschanging the temperature in the house, armingof the security zones, turning off the indoor lightsand turning them on outdoors, etc. The “GoodMorning” Scene button turns the lights on, raisesthe temperature to the desired level, turns onthe coffee maker and does many other thingsthe homeowner would normally engageindependently. “Vacation Scene” invokesroutines for lighting and music so the home willappear to be occupied while the homeownerenjoys a vacation.

Lagotek HIP100 panels run Wi-Fi and Z-Wave. Z-Wave is a low-cost, two-way, meshnetwork communications technology thatenables everyday devices to be controlled andmonitored wirelessly and securely fromanywhere in the world. Z-Wave is a fullydeveloped, proven, affordable, easy-to-use, andinteroperable technology that is available inmore than 150 wireless home control andautomation products today.

NEW PRODUCTS

Arkados to unveil turnkey reference designs

at CES

Arkados will unveil numerous referencedesigns at the Consumer Electronics Show(CES) in Las Vegas, January 8-11, 2007. Thecompany’s turnkey reference designs for avariety of high-demand home audio and videoapplications, such as solutions to enable whole-house audio and IPTV, have been gainingincreased attention with global consumerelectronics players over the past year.

Jim Reeber, director of marketing forArkados, said, “Our unique applicationsorientation and our implementation of HomePlugstandards have great appeal, especially as theindustry drives harder and harder towards cost-effective and timely productization to meetconsumer demands for digital homeconnectivity.” Two Arkados applications werechosen to be displayed at the HomePlugPowerline Alliance exhibit at CES.

Mr. Logvinov, Arkados president andCEO, will be a panelist on “The State of HomeNetworking,” held on Tuesday, January 9 at 1:30p.m. in the Las Vegas Convention Center(LVCC) South Hall, Room S106-107. He willdiscuss the powerline networking industry andinteroperability as a key factor for ubiquity anduser acceptance.

Powerline communications is at its bestwhen it is built into products rather than addedon with an adapter, and Arkados solutions aredesigned to make built-in connectivity easier.

Additional information on CES 2007 canbe found at http://www.cesweb.org.

Ubicom brings media streaming to JVC’s

Sophisti DD-3 and DD-8 home entertainment

systems

Ubicom Inc., a provider ofcommunications processor and softwaresolutions, has been selected by JVC, theaudiovisual equipment provider, to add media


7


streaming capability to its Sophisti DD-3 andDD-8 advanced living entertainment systems.Ubicom’s StreamEngine wireless processor willenable videos and music to be streamed froma LAN-connected PC to the Sophisti DD-3 orDD-8 media center. StreamEngine technologyprioritizes time-sensitive traffic over a homenetwork, enabling it to meet the high-bandwidthdemands required for uninterrupted real-timevideo playback.

The Sophisti DD-3 and DD-8 mediasystems are DLNA-certified devices and allowusers to play audio, video, and photo files fromtheir PCs on a flat-screen TV with surround-sound speakers, creating a complete at-homeentertainment system. Ubicom’s StreamEnginechipset provides low-latency connectivity,allowing the Sophisti DD-3 or DD-8 instantaccess to digital media stored on other devicesacross the home network. Even when multipleapplications operate simultaneously on thenetwork, StreamEngine technology regulatesthe traffic flow to minimize the delays whichcause degraded images, poor audio, or pausesin playback. Digital media content gains priorityover other network traffic, such as file downloadsand emails, allowing users to watch videos onthe Sophisti DD-3 or DD-8 without frustratinginterruptions.

“As video becomes more accessibleonline, we have seen a spike in demand forInternet video compatibility in home theaters,”said Bart Somsen, corporate communicationsmanager for JVC Europe Ltd. “In order to stayat the forefront of the home entertainmentsystem market, we have moved to incorporatewireless video streaming technology into ouradvanced living entertainment systems with theSophisti DD-3 and DD-8. Ubicom’sStreamEngine technology gives our product acompetitive edge with its ability to ensureseamless delivery of video content from the Webto the screen.”

“JVC continues to improve upon its class-leading audiovisual equipment,” said Keith

Morris, vice president of marketing at Ubicom.“Ubicom’s StreamEngine technology enhancesthe Sophisti DD-3 and DD-8 by providingembedded quality of service (QoS)management.

Customers can relax and enjoy movieson the best audiovisual equipment without theannoyance of broken or stalled videostreaming.”

The Sophisti DD-3 and DD-8 series arenow widely available through authorized JVCdealers across Europe.

PMC-Sierra introduces family of carrier-

grade multiservice residential gateway

reference platforms for triple-play services

PMC-Sierra Inc. announced a suite ofmultiservice residential gateway referenceplatforms for the industry’s broadest range ofadvanced broadband access protocols.

The MSP7100-based platforms areavailable today in a range of WAN interfaceconfigurations, including ADLS2+, VDSL2,Ethernet, and EPON, to enable robust deliveryof carrier-grade services into the digital home.

These platforms, based on PMC-Sierra’sVoIP-enabled Multi-Service Processor family,allow OEMs and ODMs to rapidly develop high-performance residential gateways optimized forenhanced triple-play service delivery.

Carriers and cable operators are focusedon delivering new high-bandwidth voice, video,media, and data services. Enabling theseservices is driving billions of dollars ofinvestment into solving the “last mile bottleneck”by accelerating wide-scale deployments ofADSL2+, VDSL2, and fiber-to-the-home/curb(FTTH/FTTC) infrastructure.

Using a common system-on-chip (SoC)architecture and open-source software model,PMC-Sierra offers the following VoIP-enabledmultiservice residential gateway referencedesigns and evaluation platforms:

- PM2326-KIT ADSL2+ residentialgateway based on the MSP7120


8


multiservice processor and PM4381ADSL2+ AFE

- PM2327-KIT VDSL2 residentialgateway based on the MSP7130multiservice processor and PM4380VDSL2 AFE

- PM2325-KIT Fast Ethernetresidential gateway based on theMSP7130 multiservice processor

- PM2328-KIT EPON residentialgateway based on the MSP7130multiservice processor and PMC-Sierra’s PAS6201 EPON chipset

“Carriers must support multiplebroadband access technologies when facedwith a wide range of physical plant conditionsin their networks,” said Dino Bekis, vicepresident of marketing and applications forPMC-Sierra’s Communication ProductsDivision.

“Coupled with demand for new high-bandwidth services, they must deliver a full suiteof robust DSL, PON and Ethernet solutions. Withthese reference platforms, PMC-Sierra hasdone much of the difficult design work toaccelerate time-to-market.”

Based on a powerful hardware multi-threaded MIPS32 system processor, theMSP7100 solutions deliver the following:

- High performance, including wire-rateVDSL2 and processing headroom to supportRG-hosted service expansion such as gateway-attached storage, remote-access servers, andfixed-mobile convergence

- Robust QoS protocols necessary tosupport delivery of carrier-grade IP services intoa multi-service home network, including deliveryof video and voice with zero-packet loss andminimum packet jitter

- Full-rate 802.11n wireless LANbridging with no system performance impact

- Integrated high-performance IPSecsecurity engine

- Dynamic multiprocessing coretechnology, which allows a gateway to

simultaneously perform multiple critical functionswith deterministic performance

- An open-standard programmingmodel using standard MIPS tool chains and C-language programming, enabling developers toleverage a wide range of ecosystem resources

The MSP7100 gateway platform issupported by the MSP7100 Linux ResidentialGateway Software Development Kit (SDK).Based on the Linux 2.6 OS, this SDK enablescustomers to quickly design high-performance,multimedia, and multiservice, VoIP-enabledbroadband residential gateways.

PMC-Sierra’s multiservice residentialgateway reference platforms are available now.The MSP7100 reference designs also providea two-channel VoIP terminal adaptor, includingtwo FXS ports and one FXO port, a USB2.0interface, up to three mini-PCI slots, and supportfor multiple home-area-networking interfaces aswell as 802.11g and 802.11n. Product briefs anda whitepaper, “Next-Generation ResidentialGateways,” may be found on PMC-Sierra’s Website at www.pmc-sierra.com/digital-home. Acomprehensive support package, includingprogrammers’ guides, is available upon request.

SiConnect’s first powerline transceiver

enhances performance of in-home powerline

networks

SiConnect has launched its first digitalpowerline transceiver chip. Providing a 16-levelmanaged quality of service (QoS), whole-homecoverage, and compliance with global EMCregulations, the $5 PLT050 aims to enhance theperformance of a wide range of applicationsmaking use of existing electrical wiring to carryaudio, video, voice, and data around the home.

Designed to support ADSL speeds, thePLT050 achieves a real payload throughput of14Mbps, equaling the performance of rivalsolutions claiming headline bandwidths of85Mbps. The SiConnect chip will handlestandard-definition TV in triple-play applications,home theatre, and uncompressed audio


9


distribution, as well as VoIP and PC networking.Microcontroller based, the PLT050 embedsSiConnect’s proprietary POEM technology todeliver digital modem, baseband signal, andcontrol processing functions.

Used in conjunction with a bidirectionalanalog/digital interface IC (AD9865), a simplecoupler circuit, an industry-standard PHY(Ethernet, USB, or serial), and a 512-kbitEEPROM for system firmware and configurationupload, the chip requires minimal externalcomponents to create a complete powerlinetransceiver solution. It is expected thatSiConnect’s first chip will prove an attractiveproposition for Ethernet adaptor manufacturers.

Unlike alternative powerline transceiversolutions, the POEM technology-based PLT050makes use of a Synchronous Multiple Access/Contention Resolution (SMA/CR) protocol anda 16-service level QoS management techniqueto guarantee fair and prioritized distribution ofcompeting audio, video, VoIP, and IP datastreams.

Whole-home coverage is also assuredby the PLT050, irrespective of electrical wiringtopology. Using a peer-to-peer meshed networktopology, POEM technology enables each nodeto act as an intelligent repeater to create ad hocnetworks. Since networks self-configure, userinstallation is very much “plug and play,” andPOEM’s in-built encryption capability ensuresthat privacy and security are maintained.

Importantly, the PLT050 will enabledesigners throughout the world to produceproducts that can comply with global EMCregulations, including FCC Part 15, CISPR 22,and its European derivative EN55022 — amandatory requirement for the marketing ofconsumer electronic products in Europe.

The PLT050 offers three configurableGPIO pins for application-specific control ordisplay purposes.

It requires core and I/O voltages of 1.8Vand 3.3V, respectively, is provided in a space-efficient 80-pin LQFP package and is specified

for commercial temperature range operation (0-70 degrees C).

The chip is priced at $5 in 10,000-piecequantities.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

NDS announces acquisition of Jungo Ltd.,

a provider of software for residential

gateways

NDS Group Plc, a provider of technologysolutions for digital pay-TV, announced theacquisition of 100 percent of the share capitalof Jungo Ltd, a provider of residential gatewaysoftware, for an aggregate consideration of upto $107.5 million in cash.

This includes $17 million of earn-outpayment contingent on the attainment of certainfiscal targets for the 12-month period followingcompletion. Completion is expected to occurduring the first calendar quarter of 2007.

Jungo’s numerous innovations includeOpenRG, a complete and integrated middlewaresoftware platform for deployment on networkdevices in the digital home and small office,including triple-play residential gateways, home/SOHO routers, wireless access points, cable/DSL routers, and voice gateways. Jungo’scustomers are leading residential gatewaymanufacturers like Actiontec, Cisco, Pirelli,Sagem, Siemens, and Westell, who sell theirresidential gateways to major broadband pay-TV operators such as France Telecom, NTT,Qwest, Telecom Italia, Verizon, and others.

Residential gateways have grown insophistication and are increasingly deployed bytelcos as the main service termination point inthe customer premises for the delivery of avariety of value-added services includingbroadband data, IPTV, voice-over-Internetprotocol (VoIP) telephony, video telephony, andconvergent wireless/wireline telephony.

The residential gateway and the softwarecontained in it act as the interface between thebroadband network and the various consumer


10


electronic devices that are attached in the homenetwork, including IPTV set-top boxes.

The residential gateway plays a key rolein controlling the quality and management of theindividual services, such as video, data, andtelephony. Providing the key underlying softwarefor both the residential gateway and the set-topbox will allow NDS to offer a unique solution foran enhanced, optimized, and managed video-over-broadband service. In addition, thecollaboration between the two devices in thehome network will accelerate the introductionof new and innovative convergent services suchas enabling the set-top box to access music,video, and pictures stored on PCs in the homenetwork, archiving of digital content stored onthe DVR, and videoconferencing via VoIP.

Jungo is a profitable and fast-growingcompany. In the nine months ending September30, 2006, the company’s revenues grew by morethan 100 percent to US$11.4 million.

Dr Abe Peled, NDS president and CEO,said, “The acquisition of Jungo positions NDSto better serve the ever-increasing need of pay-TV and telecom network operators to offerreliable video over broadband services. We areextremely excited about joining forces with theJungo team to achieve our shared vision ofsecuring and enabling content any timeanywhere and on any device. We are of coursecommitted to serving all of Jungo’s currentcustomers after the transaction closes, as wellas helping the Jungo team expand their marketpenetration worldwide.”

Jungo will continue to operate as aseparate unit within NDS under the leadershipof the current management team. It will focusits activities on the residential gateway softwaremarket, while closely collaborating with otherNDS business groups to forge strongerrelationships with broadband customers and tooffer new and innovative end-to-end solutions.

Ofer Vilenski, CEO of Jungo,commented, “This is an exciting time forBroadband. Residential gateways are enabling

television, data services, telephony and a hostof new services to be delivered over IP networks.Our association with NDS will allow bothcompanies to deliver to consumers new andinnovative applications and services.

We are delighted about joining NDS, andabout the confidence our customers will haveusing our products, now backed by such anaccomplished and innovative company. Jungo’ssuccess was made possible by our extremelytalented employees, whose expertise andteamwork gave us the ability to define and leadthis market.”

Joel Fisch, director of Intel Capital/IsraelDigital Home Investments and a Jungo investor,commented, “Following our initial investment,Intel and Jungo joined forces to bring Linux-based solutions to the embedded gatewaymarket.

Jungo and Intel both continue to derivegreat value from this long-standing relationshipwhich has served both parties well for the pastfive years. Intel Capital has supported Jungo inits financing rounds and is pleased to see Jungobecome part of NDS, a great company withwhich Intel works closely.”

Tamir Fishman & Co. acted as anexclusive financial advisor to NDS Group in thistransaction, and Herzog Fox Neeman as its legaladvisor in Israel. Jefferies Broadview acted asan exclusive financial advisor to Jungo, and OriRosen & Co. as its legal advisor.

STANDARDS

UPnP Implementers Corp. reaches milestone

to make UPnP specifications international

standards

The UPnP Implementers Corporation(UIC) announced the recent submission of theUPnP Device Architecture and 15 UPnP DeviceControl Protocol (DCP) specifications to theInternational Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission JointTechnical Committee 1 (ISO/IEC JTC1) for


11


approval as Publicly Available Specifications(PAS).

UPnP technology helps create seamless,simple network-enabled consumer electronicequipment, PCs, and printers.

The UPnP Forum, a non-profitassociation open to any company or individual,was created in 1999 to provide an ongoing, openprocess to develop the UPnP architecture anddevice specifications.

The forum now has more than 800member companies from the consumerelectronics, computing, home automation andsecurity, home appliance, computer networking,and related industries.

The UIC, which is closely associated withthe forum, acts as the certification authority thatenables member companies that implementUPnP technology to certify devices as compliantwith the UPnP specification. Companies alsoobtain the right to use the UPnP logo.

Previously, the ISO/IEC JTC1 hadapproved the UIC as a submitter of PAS.

This approval allowed the submission ofUPnP specifications directly to the ISO/IEC andinitiated the standards approval process. UICanticipates the process to conclude in mid-2007with UPnP specifications being recognized asInternational Standards.

UIC’s president, Tom McGee, said,“Becoming an approved PAS submitter andsubmitting the UPnP specifications representssignificant steps forward for UPnP technology.

As an internationally recognizedstandard, more companies will be interested incertifying devices; and therefore, it will result inincreased market adoption.”

Alan Messer, chair of the UPnP ForumSteering Committee, said, “With submission ofthe UPnP Device Architecture and all publishedDCPs to JTC1, a major milestone to increaseadoption worldwide of UPnP technology hasbeen achieved.

This is great news for users andimplementers of UPnP technology.” UPnP

technology makes home networking simple andaffordable so that the connected-homeexperience becomes a mainstream experiencefor users and a great opportunity for the industry.UPnP device and service standards have beendefined and published for Internet gateways/routers, audio-video media devices, printers,scanners, climate control, lighting, and wirelessLAN access points.

The UPnP architecture offers pervasivenetwork connectivity between all types ofdevices, including network-enabled consumerelectronics equipment, intelligent appliances,portable wireless devices, PCs, etc.

The UPnP architecture leverages TCP/IP and other Web technologies to enableseamless integration of these devices intoexisting network infrastructures.

UPnP technology can be implementedon nearly any operating system and works withessentially any type of physical networkingmedia that supports IP — wired or wireless —providing maximum user and developer choices,which result in higher economic benefits foreveryone.

The UPnP Implementers Corporation(UIC) is the non-profit corporation that promotesthe adoption of UPnP technology bymanufacturers of hardware and softwareproducts. The UIC administers the UPnP devicecertification process and the UPnP marklicensing.

There are now more than 275 UPnP-certified products. UPnP certification creates thefoundation for interoperability and provides aneasy way for retailers and consumers torecognize products that have been developedand tested to comply with the UPnP devicestandards. The UPnP certification program isrequired by the Digital Living NetworkingAlliance (DLNA) as a prerequisite to itscertification program.

For more information about certifyingproducts with the UIC, please visit http://www.upnp-ic.org.


12


MARKET INTELLIGENCE

Parks Associates: Market for wireless

multimedia networking to exceed 50 million

units by 2010

Industry adoption of next-generationspecifications will provide a substantial boostto the market for wireless multimedianetworking, prompting growth in excess of 50million wireless network devices by 2010,according to “The Wireless Multimedia LANs:Requirements and Outlook.” This new reportfrom Parks Associates predicts that annual salesand shipments of wireless multimedia-capabledevices, including home networking gears,personal computers, and fixed and mobileconsumer electronics, will grow from 2.5 millionunits in 2006 to nearly 52 million units by year-end 2010, due in large part to standardizationin the market.

“Multiple factors are driving the move byboth manufacturers and service providers inembracing wireless connectivity,” said KurtScherf, vice president and principal analyst withParks Associates. “Service providers are lookingfor greater ownership in developing homenetworking solutions, operators need to reduceCapEx costs in deploying home networkingequipment, new content services are on the rise,and consumers are invariably in favor ofeliminating cables. These are all positive signsthat the 802.11n and WiMedia solutions —among the many home networking options —will continue to drive growth in new homenetworking applications.”

“The Wireless Multimedia LANs:Requirements and Outlook” is a comprehensiveindustry report that probes the features andapplications of next-generation Wi-Fi 802.11ntechnology, examines market requirements forwireless multimedia networking, compares andcontrasts competing technologies, analyzesindustry issues and the competitive landscape,and predicts market size and demand for avariety of wireless multimedia applications,

including home networking equipment,computers, and fixed and mobile entertainmentCE devices.

For additional information on “TheWireless Multimedia LANs: Requirements andOutlook,” visit http://www.parksassociates.comor contact 972-490-1113 [email protected].

ABI Research finds consumers choosing

network storage for media management as

devices become cheaper and more powerful

While data backup has long been thetraditional reason for an individual to purchasea network drive, more consumers today arelooking to network attached storage (NAS) as away to manage the exploding volume of digitalmedia they are acquiring. From digital photosand video to content purchased online,consumers are looking not only to moretraditional storage solutions such as USB harddrives, but to the more evolved NAS solutionsthat are becoming available at attractive pricepoints.

“There are a number of competingalternatives for centralized storage andmanagement of content,” said ABI Researchdirector Michael Wolf. “ABI Research believesgame consoles and Media Center PCs willoutnumber NAS devices for media managementby a large margin, but for those looking for low-cost content storage and managementsolutions, NAS will continue to grow as a viableoption.”

Part of the reason for the growing interestin NAS devices is the technology’s rapidlydeclining price points. This decrease in pricingand increase in overall functionality has beendriven by the emergence of NAS-on-chipprocessors from vendors such as Marvell andAgere. These devices are specifically designedto handle tasks for advanced mediamanagement. The NAS-on-chip market willgrow from under 1 million units shipped in 2006to over 7.5 million units shipped by 2011.


13


“Today, home network storage isdefinitely an advanced consumer market,”concluded Wolf. “However, we are increasinglyseeing enthusiasts of such applications as digitalphotography and home video adopting NAS tomanage their content, and we believe it’s only amatter of time before mainstream consumerslook to NAS for entertainment mediamanagement as well.”

A recent ABI Research study, “ConsumerNetwork Storage Market Analysis” (http://w w w . a b i r e s e a r c h . c o m / p r o d u c t s /m a r k e t _ r e s e a r c h /Consumer_Network_Storage_Market_Analysis)examines the consumer market for consumernetwork attached storage. This report examinesthe varied form factors and the enabling siliconfor the different products in this market. It formspart of the company’s Home NetworkingResearch Service (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/ service/Home_Networking_Research_Service), whichalso includes other Research Reports,Research Briefs, Market Data, OnlineDatabases, ABI Insights, and analyst inquirysupport.

The move from PLC to BPL in Australia could

lead to a third national broadband platform

to the home

Research and Markets has announcedthe addition of “2006 Australia Broadband PowerLine — Moving into Home Management” to theiroffering.

Power Line Communications (PLC) hasbeen used since the 1890s to send low-leveltelecoms signals out to activate or deactivatedevices along the electricity grid.

This technology was further developedover the last century and is used, for example,for the off-peak hot water service that mostelectricity companies offer their customersnowadays.

Broadband Power Line (BPL) started toarrive in the late 1990s. Simultaneously, the

energy companies are also being forced to lookfor telecoms solutions for their core businessand are looking at demand-side managementservices to better manage their network, offerbetter services to their customers and handlethe gigantic increase in electricity demandthroughout the world and at the same timemanage security issues and the environmentalimpact of all of that. The move from PLC to BPLcould well lead to a third national broadbandplatform to the home next to telecoms and digitalTV.

For more information, please visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c46989.

Government policy spawning digital cable

set top box boom in China, reports In-Stat

The deployment of Whole System Shift,a government effort to speed up the conversionof urban households from analog to digital cableTV, is driving China’s digital cable set-top box(STB) market, reports In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com). As a result, unit shipments of digitalcable STBs are projected to quadruple, from 3million in 2005 to 12 million in 2010, the high-tech market research firm says.

“Most of the digital STB shipmentincreases will come from basic set-top boxes,”says Rebecca Tan, In-Stat analyst. “Most cableoperators that are now installing Whole SystemShift provide only basic services, and networkshave not yet begun to install two-way networks.Operators’ ability to provide interactive servicesis limited in the short term; therefore, operatorsprefer basic boxes.”

Recent research by In-Stat found thefollowing:

- Following several trials of WholeSystem Shift, the digital-cable TVsubscriber base jumped dramaticallyfrom 800,000 to 2.7 million by the endof 2005.

- There will be steady growth inadvanced-box shipments, reaching1.5 million by 2010.


14


- Total revenue of cable STBs in Chinais projected to reach US$586 millionby 2010.

The research, “Digital Cable STBs inChina” (#IN0603228CCM), covers the Chinesemarket for cable TV set-top boxes, with insightfulanalysis on China’s cable TV digitizationprocess. It also provides average selling price,unit shipment, and revenue forecasts of digitalcable set top boxes in China for 2006-2010. Keydomestic set-top box vendors are profiled.

The set-top box landscape is shifting

dramatically as service providers seek ever-

greater functionality at lower prices

Research and Markets has announcedthe addition of “Set-top Boxes: Analysis andForecasts” to their offering.

As competition among television serviceproviders increases, the expanded role of theset-top box as a receiver, aggregator, storagedevice, and sharing platform will grow

considerably. This report looks at the nextgeneration of set-top box platforms, examininguse cases from DVRs to home networkingmedia servers. It analyzes the market for set-top box components and solutions, from drivesto software, as well as the role of industry andopen standards.

“The platform most closely linked to thetelevision remains the critical component tounlocking greater customer loyalty andrevenue,” said Kurt Scherf, vice president andprincipal analyst. “The set-top box landscape isshifting dramatically as service providers seekever-greater functionality at lower price pointsto defend against encroaching competition.”

The Bottom Line is a concise, executive-level summary of the current state of the market,evolutionary path, and the implications forcompanies doing business in this space.

For more information, please visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c45478.

Copying Permissions Policy Statement

If you wish to copy and reproduce any part of an Information Gatekeepers Inc. publica-tion, the following conditions apply:

Transactional Reporting ServiceAuthorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or personaluse of specific clients, is granted by Information Gatekeepers Inc., provided that the basefee of $2.00 per page for the first copy plus $0.25 per page for each additional copythereafter, is paid directly to:Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923Tel: (978) 750-8400, Fax: (978) 750-4744

Publications should be identified according to the following fee code:ISSN#/year of publication/rate ($2.00+$0.25).ISSN#s can be found on the front of the newsletter.

Academic Permissions ServicePrior to photocopying items for educational classroom use, please contact:Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Dr., Danvers, MA 01923Tel: (978) 750-8400, Fax: (978) 750-4744

Appropriate credit to Information Gatekeepers Inc. should be displayed on all photocopies.

Vol. 8 No. 12 December 2006 - OIC · Vol. 8 No. 12 December 2006 ... ZTE GPON OLT and PMC-Sierra...

Documents

Transcript of Vol. 8 No. 12 December 2006 - OIC · Vol. 8 No. 12 December 2006 ... ZTE GPON OLT and PMC-Sierra...