STMicroelectronics Launches Single-Chip Set-Top Box ICs

The STi5197 includes a QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) demodulator and the STi5189 includes a QPSK (quadrature phase-shift keying) demodulator, and both products have a common architecture for MPEG-2 audio/video-decoding and application-processing functions. The common architecture saves product development time, lowers bill-of-material costs, and simplifies pc-board design to deliver highly price-competitive products into global markets. Each device supports relevant cable or satellite broadcast standards. The STi5197 supports DVB-C including ITU-T J83 Annexes A/B/C, and TSMF (Transport Stream Multiplex Frame). The STi5189 supports DVB-S for satellite. All industry-standard middleware and browsers are also supported.

Both ICs support all major conditional-access security schemes, with integrated DVB, DES (Data Encryption Standard), Multi2 and ICAM (Integrated Conditional Access Module) descramblers as well as a built-in smart-card interface, which will help to broaden markets for pay-TV services.

“The STi5197 sets a new industry standard for secure, mass-market set-top boxes, reinforcing the outstanding success of the ST’s OMEGA family of MPEG2 decoders,” said Philippe Lambinet Executive VP of Home Entertainment and Display group. “It will bring further cost reductions for manufacturers while giving viewers the advanced connectivity features they now expect as standard, while respecting low power requirements.”

Additional features common to both devices include an interface to off-chip Flash memory, enabling support for a PVR-type time-shift feature without requiring a hard disk drive. The USB interface provided is ideal for general connectivity including implementing DVR-enabled STBs. An Ethernet interface is also integrated enabling manufacturers to build hybrid STBs on the same platform. There is also an integrated audio subsystem providing digital and analog outputs and supporting MP3 and Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding.

Software compatibility between the STi5197 and STi5189 streamlines development of either cable or satellite products. In addition, ST’s rich STB-development ecosystem provides common development tools and the fully documented and supported programming interface STAPI, which enables easy porting of software, and therefore promotes code re-use and compliance with industry standards.

Compared to previous-generation STB ICs, the new devices also benefit from higher processing performance as well as sophisticated power management featuring two power-saving modes to help designers meet local energy-efficiency regulations for consumer products.

Both devices are available in a choice of 23 x 23mm plastic BGA (PBGA) or cost-optimized 15 x 15mm low-profile fine-pitch BGA (LFBGA) package.