Production-ready front-end design for digital satellite STBs
21 April 2004
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
 
Zarlink Semiconductor is offering a production-ready blueprint for a complete front-end subsystem used in digital satellite STBs. Combining a new high-performance satellite tuner with an industry-leading demodulator, the company says that its ZLE10532 Reference Design meets the growing need for highly integrated RF chips in advanced digital TV products.
Zarlink's RF chips for digital satellite TV are used in STBs worldwide, in both 'free-to-air' and subscriber-based digital satellite systems. In China, one of the fastest growing markets for digital satellite STBs, 70% of manufacturers already use Zarlink tuners, according to company research. 
To lower their costs and improve time-to-market, consumer electronics manufacturers want a 'fit and forget' front-end tuner and demodulator solution that reduces external component costs and time-consuming in-house design work. The ZLE10532 Reference Design combines the company's new ZL10036 tuner and proven ZL10312 demodulator to provide a complete motherboard-based RF subsystem for tuning, scanning, decoding, and demodulating digital satellite TV signals.
The ZL10036 device is a single-chip wideband direct conversion tuner that supports QPSK modulation schemes. With alignment-free performance, the tuner provides all the necessary RF-to-digital signal conversion required for DSS (Digital Satellite System) and 1-45 megasymbols per second DVB-S (Digital Video Broadcast-Satellite) receiver systems. 
The ZL10312 demodulator supports QPSK and BPSK (bipolar phase shift keying) modulation schemes, using advanced filters to detect and decode satellite channels without external components. A unique, on-chip hard-wired controller enables the ZL10312 chip to achieve ultra-fast channel scanning capability with little intervention from an external processor, which minimises software overhead.
With Zarlink's integrated motherboard-based front-end design replacing discrete tuner devices and external circuitry, manufacturers can produce streamlined STBs that are smaller than a videocassette case, according to the company. 
For more information contact Memec SA, 011 897 8600.
	
 
Further reading:
What does Wi-Fi 7 mean for South African networks?
 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
With Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), we are finally looking at a standard that was built, not just for more devices, but for the new way networks are used.
Read more...
Multiprotocol wireless SoC
 RF Design
 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The nRF54LM20A from Nordic Semiconductor is a multiprotocol wireless System-on-Chip designed for demanding designs in Bluetooth devices.
Read more...
High performance communication
 iCorp Technologies
 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel’s FCS950R is a high-performance Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 module that can deliver a maximum data rate up to 433,3 Mbps in 802.11ac mode.
Read more...
Expanded STM32WL3x line for IoT sensors
 Altron Arrow
 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The STM32WL31x and STM32WL30x are more tailored versions of the STM32WL33x for designers who wish to focus on specific features, while lowering their bill of materials.
Read more...
Full-band GNSS helical antenna
 RF Design
 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
A key feature of Calian’s HC3990XF antenna design is that it does not require a ground plane, making it ideal for size-constrained applications.
Read more...
BLE and BT Mesh module
 iCorp Technologies
 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The HM-BT4531 from HOPERF is a BLE data transmission module that features an ARM Cortex-M0 32-bit processor.
Read more...
Espressif entering the Wi-Fi 6E market
 iCorp Technologies
 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Espressif Systems is entering the Wi-Fi 6E market, extending its connectivity portfolio into the domain of high-throughput, low-latency wireless solutions.
Read more...
Ultra-low jitter clock buffers
 Altron Arrow
 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
New SKY53510/80/40 family of clock fanout buffers from Skyworks are purpose-built for data centres, wireless networks, and PCIe Gen 7 applications.
Read more...
Cutting-edge broadband power amplifier
 RFiber Solutions
 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Designed for high efficiency and reliability, the WPGM0206012M from WAVEPIA is a cutting-edge broadband GaN MMIC power amplifier operating from 500 MHz to 8,5 GHz.
Read more...
The trends driving uptake of IoT Platform as a Service
 Trinity IoT
 Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
IoT platforms, delivered as a service, are the key that will enable enterprises to leverage a number of growing trends within the IT space, and access a range of benefits that will help them grow their businesses.
Read more...