Broadcom Announces 10 Gbps Millimeter Wave SoC

Broadcom MMW. Photo: Broadcom

[Via Satellite 02-20-2014] Broadcom Corporation has introduced a new single-chip millimeter wave (MMW) system on a chip (SoC) optimized for wireless backhaul and fronthaul applications. The BCM85100 offers a scalable option with up to 10 Gbps of capacity created to meet growing bandwidth demands of mobile broadband services.

With new backhaul connectivity challenges created by the acceleration of next generation cellular networks, MMW technology is beginning to play an important role in mitigating these challenges, according to Broadcom. The company sees the need for products that address macro cell backhaul, small cell backhaul and fronthaul as becoming more prominent.

The BCM85100 SoC enables capacity upgrades by software and offers a range extending up to 10 Gbps through a single antenna, single channel and single polarization, providing a unified MMW solution.

“The growing demand of data services and connected devices are all driving mobile backhaul networks to new heights of capacity, resulting in the need for more cell site connections,” said Richard Webb, Infonetics Research directing analyst of microwave and carrier Wi-Fi at Broadcom. “The millimeter wave solution represents the next step in addressing these capacity needs and is proving to be a viable solution for backhaul in metro areas where range limitations aren’t always problematic. Reaching 10 Gbps is a major milestone for the industry and raises the bar as an integrated SoC that will further drive the millimeter wave market.”