Broadcom offers certified DPoE chipsets and software

Communications IC specialist Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM) has announced availability of EPON optical network unit (ONU) and optical line terminal (OLT) chipsets and DOCSIS mediation layer (DML) software compliant to CableLabs’ DOCSIS Provisioning of EPON (DPoE) 1.0 specifications.

The products recently passed CableLabs’ certification process, Broadcom says – something of a slam dunk given the fact that Broadcom helped develop the DPoE specifications.

As the name implies, DPoE is designed to enable cable MSOs to operate EPON fiber-optic networks under DOCSIS control. Cable operators likely will use DPoE access networks to support business and mobile backhaul services provision using both 1G and 10G EPON.

"The DPoE specifications represent a significant achievement on the part of CableLabs, cable MSOs, and industry OEMs to create an open standard that achieves full vendor and equipment interoperability. This will further the growth of the cable industry by meeting the bandwidth needs of business users," said Greg Fischer, Broadcom vice president and general manager for broadband carrier access. "As an early supporter of the technology, Broadcom has devoted significant resources to both the standardization process and our product portfolio to make DPoE technology available today."

Broadcom’s DPoE product line includes the TK3723 dual-port 1G EPON OLT, BCM55524 quad-port 1G EPON OLT, and BCM55538 octal-port 10G EPON OLT devices; the BCM55030 10G EPON ONU and TK3714 1G EPON ONU chips; and DML software. A spokesperson for Broadcom confirmed that the company has "several customers" for elements of the DPoE portfolio.

"BrightHouse Networks' strategy to successfully introduce new business services requires a combination of the EPON fiber access solutions we have engineered and deployed since 2006, as well as interoperable standards to ensure cost-effective operations management and a larger ecosystem of product availability," said John Dickinson, senior director of network strategy and architecture at BrightHouse Networks, which sponsored the DPoE development effort along with Comcast. "As a pioneer in IEEE EPON and DOCSIS standards, Broadcom was a clear choice for BrightHouse Networks and other MSOs, to collaborate with to define interoperable specifications and technology for the industry. The recent announcement of product qualifications reinforces the progress the industry has made and of the wide selection of interoperable products that are available to MSOs for this important segment of our business."

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