BroadLogic is a small startup company based out of San Jose, CA., that appears to have developed a method to increase bandwidth for cable operators without having to resort of the expensive of laying fiber optic. What brought this company to my attention and interest was when my cable provider SuddenLink tore up our neighborhood back yards while upgrading the system to fiber optic. It was obvious to myself and my neighbors that the people who were doing the digging [most likely subs] had little regard for our property. What was also extremely irritating was that these yo-yo’s not only cut my cable for the tv and internet service but managed to cut my phone line as well. Grr………..!

So when I read that companies like Intel, Comcast and others were investing in this startup I went to their site to take a look. On their site they describe their technology as:

Headquartered in San Jose, California, BROADLOGIC designs and supplies breakthrough video-processing mixed signal semiconductors that enable broadband network operators to maintain their competitive edge by offering next-generation video-on-demand, digital-video, voice, and high-speed data services to consumers. BROADLOGIC’s patented technologies simultaneously process an order of magnitude more digital video content than conventional approaches, helping operators maximize revenue gains while controlling operational and capital expenditures.

BROADLOGIC’s innovative WIDEBAND RECEIVER family of products delivers unprecedented levels of downstream bandwidth, enabling broadband CPE devices to deliver over 600Mbps of data. With this level of performance, Operators can effectively challenge fiber based solutions offering higher performance solutions to their subscriber.

BROADLOGIC’s TeraPIX™ family of video processors decodes dozens of digital video streams and reconstructs both analog and digital service tiers. The TeraPIX family directly addresses cable operators’ transition to an “All-Digital” plant by enabling them to transmit highly compressed digital video through their network, allowing them to reclaim hundreds of megahertz of spectrum that can be used to deliver new revenue generating services.

Drawing upon recognized engineering leadership from major technology companies including AT&T, C-Cube, DiviCom, Livermore Labs, Motorola, National Semiconductor, Quantum and Scientific Atlanta, BroadLogic’s team consists of leading experts in RF, analog, digital signal processing, MPEG encode/decode, and logic design. In collective experience, they have successfully delivered chipsets reaching mass market volumes in cable modems, set-top boxes and headend equipment.

I don’t know how well this new technology works, but if it can increase the bandwidth without the hassle of ripping up your city and backyards, it may be worth taking a look at. You may also wish to pass this information on to your city fathers before the tractors arrive.
Comments welcome.

[tags]broadlogic, cable, bandwidth, back yard, fiber optic,  [/tags]