News Release from: STMicroelectronics
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 15 October 2004
Set-top tuner meets new DVB-S2 specification
The STB6100 is a set-top box (STB) silicon tuner complying with the stringent requirements of the new DVB-S2 specification for satellite broadcasts.
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The STB6100 is a set-top box (STB) silicon tuner complying with the stringent requirements of the new DVB-S2 specification for satellite broadcasts. DVB-S2 increases the capacity of satellite communications links by 30% compared with the original DVB-S standard - close to the theoretical performance limit - enabling the most effective deployment of high-datarate applications such as HDTV (high definition TV) and broadband Internet. ST is the world's largest supplier of silicon chips for set-top boxes across satellite, cable, and terrestrial services and was closely involved with the DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) technical groups working to optimise the DVB-S2 specification.
In May 2004 the company announced the development of a modulator design compliant with the new standard, which it is making available to broadcast equipment manufacturers to enable them to introduce equipment capable of broadcasting DVB-S2 signals to "kick-start" the market for DVB-S2 receivers.
The introduction of the STB6100 tuner, developed in co-operation with RF Magic, an expert in broadband RF silicon solutions, builds on ST's initiative.
The STB6100 is backwards compatible with current DVB-S broadcasts and can be used today as part of a DVB-S2-ready receiver.
With price an overriding concern for STB consumers, the new device allows manufacturers to minimise their costs by using a single 32-lead package, with few supporting components, in place of the complex traditional discrete tuner circuitry.
In addition, it eliminates the need for specialist RF expertise as the RF processing circuitry is integrated onto the chip.
The STB6100 is programmed through a simple two-wire serial interface, and is intended for use with an 8PSK demodulator chip.
In combination with other new coding and satellite technologies, DVB-S2 has the potential to provide a significant increase in the number of standard or HDTV channels that can be broadcast in a conventional transponder, as well as to dramatically reduce the price of satellite capacity.
"The availability of the STB6100 confirms ST's commitment to develop and promote products that support the DVB-S2 standard", said Christos Lagomichos, General Manager of ST's Home Entertainment Group.
"The new device allows our customers to design simpler and more cost effective products while benefiting from the increased capacity offered by DVB-S2 broadcasts".
The DVB-S specification now used by satellite operators worldwide for television broadcasting and data transmission was introduced ten years ago.
DVB-S2 benefits from more recent developments in channel coding and modulation, and provides significantly increased capacity; with capacity very close to the so-called "Shannon Limit" which describes the maximum possible efficiency of error-correcting methods.
As well as the normal QPSK (quadrature-phase-shift-keying) modulation of DVB-S, the DVB-S2 specification allows for 3bit per symbol, using 8PSK modulation, at approximately 80Mbit/s information rate, with low density parity check (LDPC) as the forward error correction code.
The STB6100 will be available in production volumes in January 2005 at a price of $3 when purchased in high volumes.
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