Broadcom repurposes the APU label for networking silicon rather than graphics integration

Broadcom has introduced the BCM4918 network processor for high-end Wi-Fi 8 residential access points, reviving the accelerated processing unit label in a context far removed from its original meaning.

Historically, the APU term described AMD processors that combined a general-purpose CPU with integrated graphics on one die.

In contrast, Broadcom applies the phrase to a system-on-chip that integrates compute cores, networking offload engines, security blocks, and on-device AI logic, without any GPU capability at all.

Compute and packet handling architecture

At the center ...