Silicon Labs Introduces Small Multi-Standard Digital Video Demodulator

Historically, equipment makers have had to provide multiple front ends for hybrid equipment that supports DVB-T as well as DVB-C. The new Silicon Laboratories 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 Silicon Labs’ single-chip, multi-standard demodulators. 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.

“Silicon Labs has a track record of delivering high-performance RF, mixed-signal products to the market. The Si2161 and Si2165 demodulators represent our entry into video broadcast with the first of a series of highly integrated products that will deliver significant benefits to customers,” said Tyson Tuttle, vice president of Silicon Laboratories. “The Si2161/2165 and our road map to fully integrated receivers will give customers a level of performance, cost savings and flexibility not offered by competing solutions.”

Silicon Laboratories’ 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. The Si2165 additionally meets and exceeds NorDig and C-Book specifications for the cable DVB-C standard.

In a small, 5x6 mm, 36-pin QFN package, the Si2161/2165’s high level of integration, including an integrated phase-lock loop and ADC voltage references, reduces the solution footprint while also reducing power consumption. With power dissipation of less than 130mW, the Si2165 is the lowest power multi-standard demodulator solution available. 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.