Creating Software for STBs that allows for Vendor Flexibility in the Selection of Chip Vendors

The software stacks used in STB can determine what chip sets, features, and services can be provided. During the Set Top Box 2010 conference, Gopal Miglani from Bit Router explained that using a protocol stack created or updated by a system on a chip (SoC) vendor can force the company into continuing to use the SoC vendor even if there are better and more cost effective chip options. An alternative for the STB manufacturer is to develop, purchase, or contract the development of software stacks that can be transferred to other devices that may use different chip sets. An added advantage of purchasing existing stacks is more rapid certification (if the stacks have already been tested).