MaxLinear, Inc. has introduced Topaz, a PON Home Gateway Unit (HGU) SoC designed for 10G broadband deployments and future fiber architectures. The chip combines fiber access, packet processing, AI/ML acceleration, post-quantum cryptography (PQC) readiness and intelligent power management.
Topaz targets PON fiber gateways, Ethernet and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) deployments. The platform is designed to provide the processing performance, memory bandwidth and connectivity needed for Wi-Fi 8 and AI-enabled services, while supporting upgrades to multi-gigabit access technologies beyond 10G.
Key features of Topaz include high-speed 25G and 50G connectivity; DDR5 memory support; low-latency packet processing; integrated PHYs and Dynamic Power Management (DPM); hardware-based PQC readiness; local compute and AI/ML engines; and hardware-based dual-queue AQM for L4S.
The integrated design combines broadband access, packet processing, AI acceleration, security, power management and low-latency networking in one SoC. MaxLinear says this can reduce system complexity, bill-of-materials costs and development cycles. Its shared hardware and software foundation with the company's Puma 9 DOCSIS platform supports code, feature and development reuse across cable, fiber, Ethernet and FWA portfolios. The unified platform approach, called AnyWAN, is designed to shorten software development cycles and reduce engineering investment and long-term support costs.
Topaz is designed around open standards, including those championed by the prpl Foundation's prplWare, and supports RDK. Its AI/ML engines are intended to support local and hybrid services alongside extended cloud processing, including AI-assisted home network diagnostics, network statistics processing, security and QoS. The platform is also designed to support cybersecurity frameworks and regulations including NIST IR 8425A, the Radio Equipment Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act.
Puneet Sethi, senior vice president and general manager of Network Infrastructure and Carrier at MaxLinear, said Topaz delivers 10G PON connectivity while providing flexibility for future requirements and a focus on power efficiency. The company said select OEMs are already designing next-generation gateways with the platform.
MaxLinear will present Topaz at Network X 2026 in Vienna, Austria, at Booth D21.
