Xilinx Korea (Country Manager Heung-sik Ahn) November 17, 2011 – At the SCTE Cable Tech Expo 2011, Xilinx demonstrated an FPGA that provides up to 160 QAM channels through a single RF port in the Xilinx 28nm 7 Series FGPA, a first in the cable industry. This development is critical for multi-system operators (MSOs) providing triple-play services extended through existing cable headends and demonstrates that FPGA-based headend equipment can provide the devices and signal densities critical for competitive data and content delivery.

In addition, cable equipment providers integrating Xilinx's 7 Series FPGAs, which come with RADA Technologies' IP core and system integration, can accelerate the development of equipment to meet the new CCAP (Converged Cable Access Platform) specifications from Cable Labs. Through CCAP, MSOs can integrate voice, video, and data transmission capabilities into a single device and process more data within existing network infrastructure.

Through CCAP, a key element related to next-generation design density that supports up to six full-spectrum RF ports and provides 160 QAM channels on a single FPGA, Xilinx provides the density and flexibility vendors need to acquire new cable equipment, accelerating time-to-market and sustaining ROI in the field for a longer period while staying up-to-date. Furthermore, the timely release of new programmable-based capabilities to move more QAM channels through smaller spaces can stimulate growth in the cable headend hardware sector, which is driven by fierce competition from IPTV.

Jeff Heynen, Directing Analyst for Broadband Access at Infonetics Research, stated, “Sales of the latest QAM hardware are increasing rapidly, driven by the continued growth of QAM channels used in DOCSIS/M-CMTS, Video on Demand, and Transformative Digital Video applications.” He added, “Globally, sales of CMTS and advanced QAM hardware totaled $464 million in the second quarter of this year, a 12% increase from the previous quarter. We expect this trend to continue.”

Aaron Behman, Senior Manager of Broadcast and Consumer Marketing at Xilinx, stated, “By using Xilinx FPGAs, cable equipment manufacturers can maximize QAM channel density while staying within existing power limits or further reducing overall power consumption.” He added, “Xilinx-based solutions are currently available, and since the silicon is field-reprogrammable, cable operators can secure the future of key assets at the headend. Furthermore, there is no need to upgrade equipment whenever specifications change or capacity needs to be added.”

Xilinx unveiled its latest QAM demo platform at SCTE Cable Tech 2011, which enables designers to evaluate IP and simulate early proof-of-concepts related to equipment design. This demo platform integrates the KINTEX™-7 FPGA, implemented with 28nm process technology optimized for low power and high performance. The demo platform can provide up to 160 QAM channels through a single RF port by utilizing RADX Technologies’ evaluation IP cores (J.83 Annex A/B/C, frequency-variable DUC (Digital Up Converter), and digital line-distortion module for Analog Devices or Maxim high-speed DACs) as well as Analog Devices or Maxim high-speed DACs.

Saif Rahman, a senior engineer at Comcast Cable, stated, “Xilinx has alternatives for integration, flexibility, and power reduction methods—all the features we need for our next-generation products,” adding, “We expect that next-generation equipment will be built on top of current solutions.”

"We expect that the relationship between Xilinx and RADX will provide customers with a competitive advantage in the broadband market regarding channel density, performance, and ROI," said Ross Q. Smith, CEO of RADX Technologies. "Together, we will be able to provide developers with equipment featuring a platform with unique flexibility and scalability for various markets. This will enable us to build the industry's best foundation for next-generation networks."

Xilinx's 7 Series FPGAs provide an ideal balance of low power and high performance in a single device. This enables cable equipment manufacturers to develop systems with increased QAM channel density while maintaining existing power limits. Through the integrated architecture of the 7 Series FPGA family, equipment manufacturers can achieve significantly higher densities (exceeding six full-spectrum ports) or scale down to address additional applications (e.g., hospitality) as well as markets outside of North America using the KINTEX-7 device. Overall, MSOs can support customer demands for broadcast and VOD through a flexible, single architecture.

Looking more closely, Xilinx (through RADX Technologies) provides system designers and engineering teams with valid IP blocks that are part of a complete evaluation solution, enabling rapid development of modern QAM/CMTS/CCAP systems and reduced time-to-market. Today's Xilinx FPGA architectures are scalable and can be modified to support various market segments. Xilinx also maintains partnerships with market-leading high-speed DAC suppliers in these application areas to provide integrated solutions.

Price and Supply Timing
Xilinx's individual IP blocks are available now. The KINTEX FPGA-based demo FPGA platform will be available starting January 2012. (For more information, see www.xilinx.com/applications/broadcast/edgeqam/ ) A hardware development platform featuring an integrated reference design will be available from RADX Technologies in the first quarter of 2012. (For more information, see www.radxtech.com ). For more information regarding the KINTEX FPGA-based demo platform demonstration, please contact a Xilinx distributor.

Xilinx Broadcasting Sector
Xilinx is a global leader in programmable logic solutions that provide scalable performance, flexibility, and reconfigurability for longer periods in the high-end professional broadcast capture, transmission, and display systems market. Xilinx's programmable devices enable faster adoption and migration to the latest standards, interfaces, and codecs, allowing manufacturers to evolve from 3DTV to Digital Cinema (4K2K) and Super Pi Vision (Super High Vision) while lowering overall CapEX and OPEX. (For more information, please refer to www.xilinx.com/broadcast )