Principal Product Engineer

MaxLinear has launched Puma 9, a DOCSIS platform designed to help broadband operators deploy multi-gigabit services whilst reducing costs by up to 50%. The platform supports DOCSIS 3.1, 3.1+, and 4.0 standards on a single system-on-chip, enabling operators to upgrade through software rather than hardware replacements. Built on 8nm process technology, Puma 9 features Wi-Fi 8 connectivity, Edge AI processing, and post-quantum cryptography security. It is the industry's only DOCSIS platform compatible with DDR5 memory, addressing supply chain concerns as vendors transition away from DDR4. The platform enables downstream throughput of up to 12 Gbps using five OFDM channels in DOCSIS 3.1+ configuration. MaxLinear says this allows operators to deliver DOCSIS 4.0-class experiences over existing networks without immediate infrastructure upgrades. Puma 9 is currently available to broadband operators and OEM partners developing DOCSIS gateways. Partners including Askey and Gemtek are developing next-generation gateways using the platform.

MaxLinear intros 'AI-ready' Puma 9 DOCSIS chipset. MaxLinear aims to slash costs with the Puma 9, a new DOCSIS chip for DOCSIS 4.0, D.3.1+ and D3.0 modems and gateways. #pressrelease September 28, 2026 MaxLinear, Inc. (Nasdaq: MXL), a leading provider of communications semiconductors for broadband, connectivity, and infrastructure applications, today announced Puma(TM) 9, a next-generation DOCSIS(R) platform designed to help broadband operators accelerate the rollout of D4.0/D3.1+ multi-gigabit services, power Edge AI, personal AI and Wi-Fi 8 connectivity while also helping operators to reduce their cost and complexity of transitioning to DOCSIS 4.0. Puma 9 brings advanced Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) security readiness and DDR5 memory compatibility, helping operators protect their networks against future threats and avoid supply chain risk associated with legacy memory types. Built with a secure-by-design approach, Puma 9 is designed to support compliance with leading cybersecurity frameworks and regulations, including NIST IR 8425A (US), Radio Equipment Directive (RED), and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) (EU). Operators are facing expanding demands that extend far beyond raw bandwidth. From Edge AI and Personal AI to Wi-Fi 8, heightened security requirements, and tighter capital budgets, success increasingly depends on the ability to evolve services without constantly replacing hardware. Puma 9 reimagines the gateway lifecycle, helping operators maximize existing DOCSIS 3.1 investments while preparing for next-generation services. Through flexible in-field upgrades, operators can deliver multi-gigabit experiences on their own timeline without frequent hardware refreshes or costly requalification cycles. With a high level of integration in 8nm process technology, Puma 9 is the first and only platform that can support DOCSIS 3.1, DOCSIS 3.1+, and DOCSIS 4.0 standards on a single SoC without incurring significant cost additions. By unifying these capabilities into a highly integrated architecture, Puma 9 enables operators to reduce their spending today while providing a path to accelerate new services, reduce deployment complexity, and maximize infrastructure investments. Key capabilities. Key features in Puma 9 help bridge gaps in network economics and flexibility for DOCSIS deployments: * Post-Quantum Security Readiness: Enabled with Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) technology to help operators secure their broadband networks against emerging post-quantum threats. * Next-Gen Memory Technology: Industry's only DOCSIS platform compatible with DDR5 memory, allowing for greater memory supplier flexibility and a longer lifecycle for the platform. * Wi-Fi 8 Integration: Provides a scalable foundation for next-generation Wi-Fi 8 gateways, delivering low latency and processing headroom needed for AI-driven applications. * Flexibility Across Evolving Standards: Support for DOCSIS 3.1, 3.1+, and 4.0 standards enabled on a single platform. Allows easy in-field upgrades and maximizes return on investment over time. * Leading 3.1+ Performance: With support for 5x OFDM channels, delivers greater than 10 Gbps of downstream throughput - higher than many other DOCSIS 3.1 solutions available today. * Integrated Edge AI Processing: MaxAI(TM)-powered NPU enhances QoS, optimizes networks, improves user experiences, and lowers operational costs. Addressing the DOCSIS 4.0/3.1 upgrade dilemma. As operators prepare for a new wave of growth fueled by Edge AI, personalized AI services, Wi-Fi 8, and increasing demand for uninterrupted multi-gigabit speeds, they face a significant challenge: existing solutions typically require expensive DOCSIS 4.0 CPE refreshes and qualification cycles. To manage costs, many operators delay CPE investments until broader network upgrades are underway. This approach not only increases the financial stress on operators but also takes away the flexibility to offer D4.0 surgically in those markets where competitive pressure or consumers demand it sooner than other markets. Long and costly D4.0 qualification cycles and expensive D4.0 CPE HW deployments take the flexibility and competitive advantage away from DOCSIS operators. Operators are also contending with growing supply chain uncertainty as major memory vendors transition away from DDR4. Dependence on DDR4-only D4.0 CPE introduces further price pressure and significant longevity risk, as broadband equipment requires stable component availability and support throughout extended product lifecycles. Puma 9 addresses both challenges by optimizing CPE cost to enable a software-driven migration path from DOCSIS 3.1 to DOCSIS 3.1+ and/or to DOCSIS 4.0 through in-field upgrades. Puma 9-based designs offer CPE cost parity with existing D3.1 CPE costs. This enables operators to deploy a highly capable DOCSIS platform without incurring additional CPE spend. That means operators can now deploy DOCSIS 4.0-ready devices today, preserve their investments, and upgrade to D4.0 or D3.1+ only when their business requires it - without costly truck rolls, expensive HW/SW investments, or large-scale equipment replacement programs. Further, Puma 9 supports five OFDM channels in D3.1+ configuration. This allows operators to offer 12 Gbps, i.e., a D4.0-like experience, over existing D3.1 networks. This further accelerates time to better consumer experiences and enables operators to phase their network spend. Want more Light Reading stories in your Google search results? Join 62,000+ members. Yes it's completely free.

Three AI stocks have fallen over 30% from their peaks despite strong fundamentals, suggesting potential rebounds. Penguin Solutions develops Compute Express Link technology for AI infrastructure, with its Integrated Memory segment more than doubling year-over-year in fiscal Q3 2026, now comprising 57.5% of total revenue. Overall revenue grew 48% year-over-year. MaxLinear has quadrupled this year but remains down 30% from its all-time high. The company reported 55% year-over-year revenue growth in Q2, driven by its optical AI data centre business which more than doubled. Revenue also increased 23% sequentially, with Q3 guidance projecting $215 million at the midpoint, representing a 27% sequential improvement. Both companies have outperformed the S&P 500 historically despite recent corrections.