Chip News: LTE broadcast and IoT security

LTE broadcast
The race to supply chipsets for Verizon’s LTE Multicast demo at last weekend’s Indy 500 was won by Qualcomm and Sequans. Qualcomm made the Multicast-capable chips inside the Galaxy 3 smartphones used to watch the race in real-time from multiple angles, while Sequans made the Multicast-capable chips used in the demo tablets at the event. Sequans also powered the demo tablets used for Verizon’s previous LTE Multicast demo at this year’s Superbowl.
Verizon’s LTE Multicast is based on the LTE Broadcast standard, which enables service providers to send the same content to multiple users at once using a single channel. It is well-suited for live events, when network resources are overtaxed and many subscribers want to see the exact same thing at the exact same time.
Last week Orange announced that France’s first LTE Broadcast demonstration will take place at the Roland-Garros French Open, at the France Televisions Innovation stand. It will not be open to the public. Qualcomm’s and Sequans’ chipsets will power the devices used in this demonstration.

IoT security
Privacy, safety and business intelligence can all be at risk when industrial machines and consumer electronics are connected to the Internet. IoT security is emerging as a key priority for vendors throughout the wireless ecosystem, and is gaining more attention amid rumors that Apple and Google are preparing to enter the home security market. Cisco is awarding cash prizes to developers of IoT security solutions, IT experts are publishing best practices for IoT security, and chipmakers are prioritizing security in their IoT solutions.
Samsung reportedly plans to develop the IoT security sector as one of its primary focus areas, Intel is highlighting secure IoT solutions and Broadcom just introduced a new Bluetooth chip that features advanced security features and iBeacon technology. iBeancon is Apple’s indoor navigation system that enables a smartphone to find enabled devices in a given area.
“Advanced security in Bluetooth chips is becoming increasingly important to protect products from being hacked and to encrypt data being sent between products,” said Philip Solis, Research Director, ABI Research. “2.7 billion Bluetooth-enabled products will ship this year – 20% more than 2013 – as more people connect accessories to mobile devices and PCs. Broadcom’s Bluetooth Smart product can help reduce the risks these connections pose to consumers.”
The IoT services market is expected to be worth $400 billion within less than a decade, according to Machina Research. Meanwhile Gartner projects 26 billion connected devices by 2020.