Cable modem vendors designing DOCSIS 2.0-based cable modems can now leverage the same platform from Texas Instruments (TI) that was successful in Certification Wave 24 DOCSIS 2.0 testing.

TI has introduced the next generation single chip cable modem platform based on the DOCSIS 2.0 standard. The field-hardened software and hardware platform is currently being utilised by a roster of the cable industry leading vendors including Motorola, Toshiba, and others. The TNETC4401 includes both advanced time division multiple access (A-TDMA) and synchronous code division multiple access (S-CDMA) modes of DOCSIS 2.0. By accompanying the hardware solution with DOCSIS software that has been deployed in all of the modems shipped to its customers over the last year, TI has lowered the R&D investment required by vendors to develop and maintain their own DOCSIS software. The complete solution also allows MSOs to deploy highly reliable and cost effective cable modems.

This year MSOs will require DOCSIS 2.0 certified modems from their suppliers in order to create an installed base ready for new and enhanced cable services. TI states that it has proven its leadership by its recent certification success in DOCSIS 2.0. They are demonstrating a strong commitment by offering next generation certified software and hardware today, allowing OEM's and MSO's a quicker time to market.

Designed for lowest system cost, the TNETC4401 integrates the DOCSIS Media Access Controller and Physical Layers with a high-performance communications processor and peripherals for networking and communication applications. The device contains a high-speed serial interface enabling 'glueless' expansions for additional interface options including voice and wireless LAN.

The TNETC4401 supports TurboDOX, a software package for cable modems that significantly enhances the performance of DOCSIS and Euro-DOCSIS modems by increasing the download speed of Transmission Control Protocol applications up to 20 times. TurboDox enables MSOs to improve the consumer experience without making additional changes to the Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) or having to reconfigure already deployed product due to the upgrade on the Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) side only.