Marvell debuts family of single chip hybrid demodulators for integrated DTVs

BERLIN, GERMANY: Marvell, an industry leader in storage, communications and consumer silicon solutions, announced the Marvell 88DE80xx family of hybrid demodulators.

The Marvell 88DE8020 and 88DE8025 are the first in a family of solutions that Marvell is developing for worldwide TV Radio Frequency (RF) sub-systems. The 88DE8020 and 88DE8025 are single chip hybrid demodulators for Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) and analog video broadcasting worldwide.

The 88DE8020/88DE8025 demodulates Intermediate Frequency (IF) signals from the hybrid tuner and generates Digital Transport Stream and Analog Composite Video with Sound Intermediate Frequency (SIF). The Marvell-designed integrated RF sub-system is designed to enable TV makers to develop a single TV controller chassis for worldwide needs and localize it with region specific tuners and demodulators.

Measuring 7x7mm in a 48-pin QFN package, the Marvell 88DE8020 features very high level integration for the demodulation of Digital Video Broadcasting -- Cable (DVB-C), Digital Video Broadcasting -- Terrestrial (DVB-T) (Annex A and C) and NTSC/PAL/SECAM.

The 88DE8025 is a pin-compatible subset of the 88DE8020 supporting analog and DVB-T demodulation for applications that do not require DVB-C. Typically, TV makers need to provide multiple SAW filters, and separate analog and digital demodulators for integrated digital televisions (iDTVs) that support hybrid terrestrial and cable networks in DVB countries.

The high level of integration in the Marvell 88DE8020 is designed to enable TV manufacturers to develop RF sub-systems that have lower cost, lower power and a slimmer profile.

"Demodulator performance is one of the critical blocks for an immersive viewing experience for digital television sets," said Dr. Nikhil Balram, Vice President and General Manager of the Digital Entertainment Business Unit, Communications and Consumer Business Group at Marvell Semiconductor, Inc.

"We believe the Marvell 88DE80xx solutions for worldwide RF sub-system market to enable our customers to achieve robust reception under varying signal conditions like multi-path, adjacent and co-channel interference and impulse channel noise with Marvell's proprietary ClearRF technology, while also achieving lower cost and lower power through our high integration."

At the IFA 2009 tradeshow in Berlin, Marvell will demonstrate a cost-effective RF sub-system for DVB iDTVs. The demonstration will be at Marvell's Crowne Plaza Suite. Please contact a Marvell representative for more information. A complete evaluation kit with documentation, firmware and Nordig, D-Book and E-Book test results is available upon request.

The Marvell 88DE802x parts are sampling now and will be shipping in the first calendar quarter. Budgetary pricing for 88DE8020 and 88DE8025 are respectively $3.25 and $2.75 for quantities of 500K units or more.