Mixed-signal ICs supplier Silicon Laboratories Inc. has released Si2161 and Si2165 digital video demodulators that support DVB-T, DVB-C and fixed reception DVB-H in a single chip. This represents the first in a new family of mixed-signal demodulators, tuners and receivers Silicon Laboratories is developing for digital and hybrid analog/digital fixed television equipment worldwide, said the maker. The new Si2161/2165 demodulators are designed for equipment receiving digital terrestrial and/or cable services including integrated digital televisions (iDTV), Free-to-Air (FtA) or pay-TV set-top box receivers, PC-TV add-on cards and DVD/HDD personal video recorders.

Historically, equipment makers have had to provide multiple front ends for hybrid equipment that supports DVB-T as well as DVB-C. The new demodulators support DVB-T, DVB-C and DVB-H for fixed reception in a single device, enabling equipment makers to simplify their design and reduce their cost by pairing their tuner solution with single-chip, multi-standard demodulators, according to Silicon Labs. Both the Si2161 and Si2165 products operate natively in DVB-T mode, the most widely deployed terrestrial broadcast standard in the world including Europe, Taiwan and Australia. The Si2165 adds the DVB-C demodulator mode used for unscrambled and pay-TV cable services.

The Si2161/2165 demodulators are the first in a new family of video broadcast products Silicon Labs is developing as part of a road map to deliver front end receivers that integrate all circuitry from RF input to demodulated output for both digital and hybrid analog/digital modulation standards. Given the range of standards adopted in various geographies, the optimal system partitioning allows customers to use one host processor across platforms while optimizing the receiver for specific regional standards or unique feature requirements, reducing solution footprint and eliminating redundant circuit blocks, said the supplier.

Si2161/2165 leverage the company’s mixed-signal expertise in CMOS to deliver the smallest footprint, highest performance demodulation solution available. Two integrated 12-bit ADCs enable full flexibility in interfacing to any RF tuner whether standard IF, low IF or zero IF outputs. The Si2161/2165 also meet all of D-Book and NorDig 1.0.3 specifications while exceeding NorDig 1.0.3 specifications on various parameters including the ability to handle varying 0 dB echoes and echoes outside the guard interval, impulsive noise or Doppler impairments, stated Silicon Labs. Additinally, Si2165 meets and exceeds NorDig and C-Book specifications for the cable DVB-C standard.

Housed in a small, 5 x 6 mm, 36-pin QFN package, the Si2161/2165 also include an integrated phase-lock loop and ADC voltage references to reduce the solution footprint while also reducing power consumption. With power dissipation of less than 130 mW, the Si2165 is the lowest power multi-standard demodulator solution available, according to the manufacturer. Full featured, the Si2161/2165 support QuickScan for DVB-T/C, an on-chip, autonomous and ultra-fast channel scan routine. This unique hardware and firmware scanning feature off-loads the host/MPEG processor of this software intensive task, resulting in a faster and more reliable receiver set-up for the consumer.

Samples of Si2161 and Si2165 are available now. Pricing for the Si2161 starts at $2.90 in quantities of 10K. Pricing for the Si2165 starts at $4.80 in quantities of 10K.

www.siliconlabs.com

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