NEC Unveils a Complete Set-Top Box Reference Design

The design is based on NEC Electronics’ 3rd generation MPEG-4 decoder IC, EMMMA3SL/LP and enables both FTA and Pay TV (DVB-T or DVB-S2) STB-applications from simple low cost to mid range with optional features such as CI+, embedded conditional access, simple PVR, Ethernet and USB2.0. It benefits from EMMA3SL/LP’s advanced security features defined to meet the most stringent security demands of Conditional Access Companies. Furthermore the reference design utilizes NEC Electronics second generation DVB-T channel decoder and ultra-low power stand by microcontroller (78K0 series). Therefore the combination offers outstanding performance, low-power consumption and low-cost for both FTA and Pay TV.

The solution’s primary purpose is to give manufacturers the flexibility to balance time to market, R&D and product function cost according to the manufacturers priorities. This is achieved by making different combinations of hardware and software packages available directly from NEC Electronics or via its design partners.

“With this third MPEG-4 Set Top Box Reference Design in a year, NEC Electronics confirms its reputation and experience in delivering complete STB solutions” stated Daniel Tannière, NEC Electronics Europe Communication and Consumer Business Group general manager. “It brings valuable cost, power consumption and time to market benefits to manufacturers engaged in cost sensitive projects and wanting to develop rapidly CA-enabled or FTA STBs based on the EMMA architecture.”