A NEW GENERATION OF DEMODULATOR CHIPS FOR DIGITAL SATELLITE TV
ZARLINK SEMICONDUCTOR HAS INTRODUCED A NEW GENERATION OF QPSK (QUADRATURE PHASE SHIFT KEYING) DEMODULATORS FOR DIGITAL SATELLITE TV SYSTEMS.
The was developed specifically for DVB-S (Digital Video Broadcasting-Satellite) receivers used worldwide, and builds on the success of the demodulator. In China alone, approximately 50 percent of the digital satellite receivers manufactured for the domestic market use ZARLINK demodulators. The ZL10313 is equipped with a flexible interface to MPEG decoder products, and offers high-speed "blind scan" and low power consumption.
ZARLINKs newest demodulator is fully pin-compatible with its predecessor and offers the same features, including the innovative "blind scan" functionality which allows set-top-box (STB) owners to scan the complete broadcast band of available TV signals at high speed with minimal intervention. The ZL10313 also features a direct interface to all common MPEG decoders and back-end STB processors, and is ideally suited for use in high-end STBs that combine a satellite and terrestrial receive capacity. When combined with ZARLINK's tuner chip, the demodulator provides manufacturers with a complete satellite front-end subsystem for tuning, scanning, decoding and demodulating digital satellite TV systems. The new chip targets STBs that receive DVB-S compliant "free-to-air" and subscriber-based satellite broadcasts, as well as DSS (Digital Satellite System) compliant broadcasts.
HIGH-SPEED "BLIND SCAN" FUNCTION
Zarlink was the first company to bring demodulators with a high-speed "blind scan" function to market.
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Receivers with competing demodulators typically rely on complex, software based channel-scanning algorithms that often require the consumer to enter the key parameters of the signals they are looking for, such as the code rate, symbol rate and frequency.
In comparison, receivers with Zarlink demodulators use hardware-based state machines to automatically scan the entire broadcast band many times faster. Because operators in the free-to-air environment routinely change services and relocate channels to new frequencies, the ability to easily re-scan and identify the available channels is a valuable feature for consumers.
POTENT PERFORMANCE FOR FREE-TO-AIR CHANNELS
Free-to-air satellite receivers are sold globally and must be able to manage a wide range of satellite signals. Some countries are served by satellites delivering signals at predominantly low symbol rates, in the region of 1 or 2 MSps (Megasymbols per second), while other countries need receivers capable of handling signals delivered at symbol rates of up to 45 MSps. The ZL10313 chip delivers strong performance across the entire symbol rate range, allowing it to process a flexible range of channels without external components.
POWER-SAVING DESIGN
As STBs continue to shrink in size, heat-sensitive RF tuner and demodulator chips must be packed into ever smaller areas. Consuming less than 300mW of power in a typical application, the ZL10313 demodulator minimizes heat generation and thereby improves both front-end performance and field reliability. It also features a "sleep" pin that reduces the chip's power requirement 1,000-fold when a set-top box is not in use, which means the device complies fully with European DVB-S power specifications and the U.S. DSS standard.
PROGRAMMING AND SUPPORT
The ZL10313 device includes its own state machine and as such can be programmed with very few instructions from the main set-top box CPU. The chip is backed with full software support and front-end reference designs for both can-tuner and motherboard implementations.
PACKAGING AND AVAILABILITY
Zarlink's ZL10313 satellite channel demodulator chip is now in production. The chip is packaged in a 64-pin LQFP (low-quad flat pack) and measures a mere 7mm x 7mm.
Please inquire with CODICO to receive more information.
Ivan Mitic, EXT 85
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