Zinwell selects MaxLinear IC for channel-stacking digital ODU

MaxLinear’s Digital Channel-Stacking SoC Selected by Zinwell for Its Next-Generation Satellite Digital Outdoor Unit

LAS VEGAS — 2014 International CES — MaxLinear Inc. (NYSE: MXL), a leading provider of integrated radio frequency (RF) and mixed-signal integrated circuits for broadband communications applications, today announced Zinwell Corp. is developing a new satellite digital outdoor (D-ODU) unit using MaxLinear’s MxL865 channel stacking system on chip (SoC).

Zinwell is expanding its extensive satellite product line with the new D-ODU which is designed for multi-satellite, channel-stacking low-noise block (LNB) downconverters. In the direct broadcast satellite industry, the company is known for its LNBs, multi-dwelling unit switches and SAT>IP servers.

The MxL865 is based on MaxLinear’s Full-Spectrum Capture™ (FSC™) technology, and can support up to 24 channels over a single cable for simplified connection between the indoor set-top box and rooftop LNB / multi-dwelling unit switch. The device has five FSC wideband inputs for a total capture bandwidth of 10 GHz and features a single L-band IF output.

Zinwell selected the MxL865 because of its low-power draw and high level of integration, which made its high-density channel-stacking D-ODU commercially viable. The 10mm x 10mm device integrates a host CPU microcontroller, FSK and DiSEqC modems and power management controllers. The device also includes all major supporting analog functions such as broadband input and output filters, RF gain blocks, channel filters, PLLs and automatic gain control (AGC) functionality.

The MxL865 exceeds strict RF performance and MOCA co-existence requirements from leading direct broadcast satellite operators. Having this additional performance helps customers like Zinwell significantly reduce the design complexity so they can enter the market quickly with a robust D-ODU solution.

“MaxLinear’s D-ODU product family has been very well received in the market due to its high level of integration, low power consumption and unmatched performance to meet strict operator specifications,” said Brian Sprague, MaxLinear Vice President and General Manager. “We’re pleased to enable Zinwell to be a leader in the transition to digital with this new D-ODU.”

“Zinwell is constantly looking at the future of our markets and laying the groundwork for long-term development,” said Chester Wu, Zinwell Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “This D-ODU is the future of satellite TV services and working with MaxLinear and the MxL865 has helped us to keep pace with this significant technology trend.”

Technical Details

The MxL865 is part of a family of 24-channel SoCs designed to replace existing analog channel-stacking ICs that can only support up to three channels per device. The MxL865 has five FSC wideband RF inputs and features a single L-band IF output. The MxL865 supports a total RF capture bandwidth of 10 GHz.

Other parts in the family include the MxL868, which has eight FSC half L-band inputs for either LNB or MDU applications and the MxL862, which has two FSC wideband inputs and features a single L-band IF output. The MxL862 supports a total RF capture bandwidth of 4.1 GHz.

All of the MxL86x devices support both FSK and DiSEqC / EN50607 operation on the IF port. They come with a software environment that includes a real-time operating system running on an embedded 32-bit CPU with a complete set of APIs to control the band translation and channel stacking engine and the chip interfaces.

Due to the devices’ high levels of system integration, the bill of material (BOM) in end applications is reduced to a minimal number of low-cost, passive components, which enables ultra-compact low cost system solutions when compared to existing analog solutions.