Conexant Systems Monday announced the world's first satellite set-top box (STB) demodulator and forward error correction (FEC) decoder based on the next-generation digital video broadcast DVB-S2 standard. DVB-S2 builds upon the success of the DVB-S standard that has been adopted and deployed worldwide by satellite operators and service providers.
DVB-S2 leverages key developments in channel coding and modulation to provide up to a 30 percent capacity increase over DVB-S and a more robust reception for the same spectral efficiency.
The CX24116 advanced modulation front-end solution enables operators to offer additional content and services, such as high-definition television (HDTV) channels and interactive services, and basic local programming using existing bandwidth and infrastructure.
"DVB-S2 provides an ideal platform for the delivery of an expanded range of video and audio content via satellite," said Jeff Crosby, vice president of Set-top Box Products for Conexant.
"Our STB portfolio, which encompasses complete system solutions that support industry standards such as DVB-S2 and advanced audio/video compression technologies including MPEG-2 and H.264, will enable us to address emerging high-definition applications requiring cost-effective, optimized media processing solutions."
According to industry analyst firm Northern Sky Research, the market for DVB-S2 compliant equipment revenues is expected to reach $1.3 billion by 2009.
The CX24116 is based on the open DVB-S2 standard and offers a path for service providers to use advanced modulation with new low density parity check (LDPC) and Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) FEC.
The CX24116 has an on-chip microcontroller for fast-signal acquisition, Es/No estimation and system monitoring. The fast-signal acquisition algorithm searches and acquires the carrier within a +/-10 MHz range during initial acquisition and performs a smart search to re-acquire under fade conditions.
In addition, the on-chip microcontroller reduces development time and cost by minimizing the external driver code.
The DiSEqC 2.x-compliant demodulator also has integrated signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bit error rate (BER) monitors for channel-performance measurements that simplify production testing.
Conexant offers a comprehensive suite of digital STB components and system solutions for worldwide satellite, terrestrial and cable entertainment broadcasting networks. The company's product offering includes silicon tuners, satellite communications channel demodulators, MPEG audio and video decoders and dial-up modems for back-channel applications.
Complete reference designs that help manufacturers reduce cost and speed time-to-market are also available, bundled with a range of operating systems, middleware, driver and development tools.
The CX24116 is sampling now and is packaged in a 100-pin exposed thin quad flat pack (ETQFP). The chip is priced at $25 in quantities of 10,000.
