Product category: Communications ICs (Wireless)
News Release from: Broadcom Corp | Subject: Wi-Fi video phone chipset
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 06 January 2006
Video phone chipset incorporates Wi-Fi
Broadcom has developed the world's first Wi-Fi video phone chipset for wireless handsets and desktop video IP phones.
Broadcom has developed the world's first Wi-Fi video phone chipset for wireless handsets and desktop video IP phones The chipset and its associated software leverage several market-leading Broadcom technologies including VoIP, mobile multimedia and wireless LAN (WLAN)
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 19 Oct 2005 at 8.00am (UK)
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The revolutionary video IP phone chipset further expands Broadcom's leadership position in the IP phone chip market.
Video phones that are based on Broadcom's new Wi-Fi video phone chipset will change voice communications into a completely new form that is practical and fun.
Imagine business travelers saying good night to their children "face-to-face" by simply dialing home, or teenagers being able to compare outfits before they meet up for an evening out together, or families being able to celebrate special occasions together despite the distances that separate them.
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The technology landscape surrounding video phones has changed dramatically in recent years, largely due to advances in video compression and voice technology that have eliminated jumpy or blurry images, as well as out-of-sync voice and video.
Additionally, the proliferation of broadband and Wi-Fi connections in the home has become commonplace, paving the way for the further adoption of Internet telephony applications.
Broadcom's new Wi-Fi video phone chipset and associated software enables video telephony to come of age, both in quality and in price.
"The age of video telephony is finally here".
"Our ability to integrate several of Broadcom's leading technologies will enable our customers to bring to market cost-effective, low-power video phones with world-class video quality", said Paul Shore, Director of Marketing of Broadcom's VoIP phone products.
"Video phones on the market today lack the price point and video quality needed for mass market adoption - our new chipset and software will radically improve both of these key market drivers, establishing Broadcom as the market leader in video IP phones".
Broadcom's new Wi-Fi video phone chipset, available in production today, includes the BCM1161 mobile VoIP processor; the BCM4318E AirForce One single-chip 802.11b/g WLAN solution; and the BCM2702 VideoCore multimedia processor.
The chipset also includes Broadcom's VoIP, video and Wi-Fi software integrated into a single software package for the design of full-featured Wi-Fi video phone handheld and desktop products.
The Wi-Fi video phone chipset provides key features required for high-quality video and voice communication products.
This includes support for high-resolution video communication standards including H.264 and H.263, video rates of up to 30 frames per second, and QCIF to CIF full-duplex video resolutions for sharp, smooth digital video that is interoperable with other devices and applications.
It also includes an integrated display controller that is capable of supporting a range of LCD displays, as well as Pal/NTSC TV-out.
The BCM4318E WLAN device supports WMM (a wireless quality of service protocol that gives priority to voice and video packets), WPA/WPA2 security, Broadcom's SecureEasySetup software, which provides device configuration with the touch of a button, and Broadcom's BroadRange technology for improved wireless range and coverage.
Broadcom's Wi-Fi PhonexChange software is a critical part of the solution.
Building on its proven success in millions of deployed VoIP-enabled devices, the software integrates video with minimised end-to-end communications delays and exceptional video/voice synchronisation for a high-quality video experience.
A full-duplex speakerphone with high-fidelity voice for natural and clear communications is supported.
The software also provides consumers with much more than video communications, supporting access to a range of software multimedia features that include image capture and display, video recording and playback, and music player capabilities.
Broadcom's Wi-Fi video phone chipset is currently in production and a reference design and software platform are available today to early access partners.
The reference development platform, the BCM91161VP, can help customers to rapidly develop both handheld and desktop Wi-Fi phone products.
The platform includes a 30 frame per second video camera and colour LCD display in a handheld phone housing.
It also includes Broadcom's xChange VoIP software suite, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) call signalling stack, WLAN OneDriver and a Linux OS-based board support package, including drivers and software development tools.
Broadcom is demonstrating the new Wi-Fi video phone platform at this week's International CES 2006 in Las Vegas.
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