High-Performance, Low-Cost Solution for Set-Top Box Systems

MARCH 22, 2006 - NEC Electronics today announced a new single-chip LSI to lower the cost and boost the performance of set-top boxes (STBs) for DVB-S, the digital satellite broadcasting standard used in Asia and Europe. The EMMA™2SL/S integrates the peripheral functions needed to receive DVB-S broadcasts, and decoding of audio-visual data streams. STB manufacturers can use it to reduce the number of parts in the final product, allowing them to be quicker to market with competitively priced, high-performance systems. The main features of EMMA2SL/S include:

Integrated QPSK demodulator for lower system costs

The new LSI features an integrated QPSK (quadrature phase shift keying) demodulator to convert broadcast signals into digital signals, and an on-chip voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) to generate the clock signals that drive STBs. By integrating these formerly discrete circuits, the EMMA2SL/S provides the same functionality while slashing costs by about 20 percent, to enable lower-priced STBs with smaller form factors.

High-performance microprocessor core for complex STB applications

The integrated MIPS32®4KEcTM microprocessor core is capable of executing more than 250 million instructions per second (MIPS). This makes the new LSI more than 25% faster than the EMMATM2LL, a high-end LSI in the same series. Its 250 MIPS of processing power allows the chip to execute complex STB applications at high speed, for flexible implementation of advanced functions and quick handling of complex menu systems.

Focus on features for entry-level STBs

By carefully selecting the key features needed in entry-level STBs, the chip can be offered economically and can contribute to significantly lower system costs.

Software compatible with high-end LSI

The new LSI is software compatible with the high-end EMMA2LL, allowing customers to make effective use of their existing software resources when designing new systems.

System LSIs for digital consumer applications are part of NEC Electronics’ core business. Since the company launched the world’s first system LSI for digital broadcast STBs in 1998, it has launched numerous market-leading devices based on the company’s EMMArchitecture™.

The EMMA2SL/S strengthens the lineup of advanced digital consumer LSIs based on this architecture, and responds to needs of the low-end satellite set top box market for devices supporting the DVB broadcasting standards. This new LSI as the optimum solution for entry-level digital broadcast receivers based on the DVB standards.

NEC Electronics will exhibit the EMMA2SL/S at the China Cable Broadcasting Network 2006 (CCBN), held March 21-23, 2006 at the China International Exhibition Center, Beijing. Aimed at broadcasters and cable/broadband operators, this annual exhibition is an important showcase for digital and networking innovations.

Availability

Samples of the EMMA2SL/S will be available in July 2006. Volume shipment will start by the end of 2006, and production is expected to reach one million units per month.

NEC Electronics is either a registered trademark or trademark of NEC Electronics Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. MIPS is a registered trademark of MIPS Technologies, Inc.

About NEC Electronics Corporation

NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) specializes in system LSI semiconductor products for a wide range of applications in the computing, networking, mobile, automotive and digital consumer markets. The company was spun off from NEC Corporation in 2002 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2003. NEC Electronics provides design, development and manufacturing support through its staff of approximately 24,000, from its headquarters in Kawasaki, Japan and 25 worldwide subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.necel.com.

Media Contacts

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NEC Electronics Corporation
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Sophie Yamamoto
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