Single coaxial cable connects TVs to the Internet

The refence design makes use of the Silicon Labs Si2177 Hybrid TV tuner with an analog TV demodulator and Entropic’s EN258x, an MoCA 1.1-based chip which provides 275Mbps PHY and 175Mbps MAC throughput. However the EN285x MoCA 2.0 chip supporting up to 500Mbps can also be used. Required for advanced 4K/UHD, OTT and TV/Internet interactivity, this reference design allows a higher-quality connection, better quality of service, and greater immunity to noise and interference from wireless networks and devices. Silicon Labs’ Si2177 enables TV manufacturers to make use of the flexibility that MoCA enables across all TV segments.

The Entropic/Silicon Labs reference design offers significant benefits. While WiFi can be subject to interference, bandwidth issues and limitations, a wired coax-based TV-to-Internet connection offers consumers a better TV viewing experience without wireless service degradation or noise. MoCA also provides higher network speeds, offering the 500Mbps required for high-bandwidth OTT and 4K/UHD content. As well as lower implementation costs, the Entropic/Silicon Labs reference design makes it possible to make the TV the wireless extender for WiFi as opposed to the receiver, extending wireless coverage to more devices in the home.

James Stansberry, Vice President and General Manager, Broadcast products, Silicon Labs, commented: “Interactive over-the-top video streaming and 4K TV will continue to rise in popularity, and to ensure reliable access to entertainment, consumers must have a robust, high-quality in-home distribution system such as MoCA. In creating a joint reference design with Entropic, we are extending network reliability on the TV by coupling our silicon TV tuner technology with Entropic’s MoCA to enable high-bandwidth delivery of Internet content straight to the TV viewer.”

“Having MoCA in the TV is the easiest way for consumers to get fast Internet access with the most reliable connection for streaming High Definition and Ultra High Definition entertainment. Our reference design collaboration with Silicon Labs is a necessary step to integrate MoCA into consumer electronics devices, like TVs, where we can simplify the connection to the Internet and ensure a better end-user experience with zero wireless interference, less buffering, and higher quality video delivery,” comments Al Servati, Vice President, Marketing, Entropic.