Sigma Designs teams with Quantenna to deliver Wi-Fi STB design

MILPITAS, USA: Sigma Designs announced a unique set-top box (STB) reference design with Quantenna's high performance 802.11n 4x4 MIMO technology that enables Sigma's STB to receive video wirelessly and still meet the strict requirements for quality, robustness and reliability service providers demand.

The new platform combines Quantenna's industry acclaimed 802.11n QHS710 solution with Sigma's highly integrated 8652 connected media platform technology. This joint design will provide the best-in-class wireless and media processor combination on the market.

"By adding Quantenna's highly reliable Wi-Fi video delivery to our portfolio, we now can provide our customers with the most complete connectivity solution in the industry," said Thinh Tran, CEO and chairman at Sigma Designs. "The addition of Wi-Fi to our G.hn, HomePNA and HomePlug AV solutions, allows us to offer operator flexibility whether wireless or wireline networking is required."

Quantenna has developed its 4x4 MIMO technology to meet the stringent requirements of highly reliable media-based applications like IPTV and whole-home video distribution. Quantenna's family of Full-11n chipsets uses the company's cost-optimized, third-generation QHS710 chipset to deliver up to 600 Mbps of bandwidth.

"Our partnership with Sigma is another significant step to accelerate the adoption of our industry leading MIMO technology for whole-home multimedia entertainment," says Dr. Sam Heidari, CEO, Quantenna. "This new reference design with Sigma demonstrates how two industry leaders can bring unparalleled performance and value to OEM partners and service providers for next generation set-top box designs."

The award-winning SMP8652 media processor from Sigma Designs integrates a complete suite of next-generation capabilities for a single-chip SoC solution with powerful multimedia processing, robust content security system, multiple on-chip CPUs, and a full complement of system peripherals. Its combination of on-chip processors and memory controllers provides the needed headroom for the next generation of client middleware and software stacks.

At the same time, establishing a minimal memory footprint using a high-speed 32-bit data path enables implementations with small form factors, lower bill of material (BOM) costs, and lower power dissipation.

The reference design will be available in the first quarter of 2012 for early access customers. Sigma Designs will be demonstrating, by appointment only, the Quantenna-based reference design at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, N.V. (January 10th-13th), at the Las Vegas Hilton.