Broadcom Announces Industry's First Fully Integrated, Multi-Format Single- and Dual-Channel Satellite Receivers

New 65 Nanometer Satellite Receivers’ Low Power Design and Single-Chip Integration Address the Needs for Next Generation DVB-S and DVB-S2 Applications

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands — (IBC2007) — Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced the industry’s first two fully integrated, single-chip, single- and dual-channel, multi-format satellite receivers configurable to support both DVB-S and DVB-S2 8PSK advanced modulation satellite applications. Manufactured in 65 nanometer (nm) process technology, the new Broadcom® satellite receivers fully integrate the tuners and multi-format demodulators to reduce the number of components required in developing dual-channel satellite set-top box products while reducing power consumption by more than 50% over competing solutions. These reductions significantly lower the system bill-of-material (BOM) cost and reduces the complexity of designing next generation satellite set-top boxes.

DVB-S2 utilizes an 8PSK advanced modulation method for receiving satellite transmissions that expands and improves upon the earlier DVB-S standard, which is deployed in integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) solutions all over the world. The DVB-S2 8PSK advanced modulation technique offers improved modulation efficiencies over the DVB-S standard, and when combined with advanced video compression technologies, such as H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10/AVC) for high definition broadcast and interactive television services, dramatically improves satellite bandwidth efficiency for accommodating additional content and high quality programming for consumers.

Announced today are Broadcom’s two new highly integrated and cost- effective satellite receiver solutions – the BCM4505 single-channel satellite receiver and the BCM4506 dual-channel satellite receiver. Both receivers are designed using the advanced 65 nm process and each is a single-chip, front-end solution for advanced modulation satellite systems. Their multi-format design supports migration from DVB-S satellite applications to any advanced modulation satellite receiver technology and provides the low power and small footprint to reduce set-top box dimensions, printed circuit board complexity and power consumption.

“Today’s BCM4505 and BCM4506 product announcements are very strategic for our direct broadcast satellite customers in developing next generation satellite solutions since they are the only products of their kind to enable cost-effective migration from DVB-S to any advanced modulation technology,” said Brian Sprague, Vice President of Marketing for Broadcom’s Set-Top Box line of business. “Designed in our field proven 65 nanometer process technology, Broadcom continues to deliver highly integrated satellite set-top box solutions that reduce system board space, power and cost.”

“With the fast growing number of HDTV channels being delivered by satellite pay-TV providers, they are rapidly embracing the higher capacities enabled by 8PSK modulation technologies for more efficient high definition channel delivery,” said Michael Inouye, Research Analyst at In-Stat. “In 2009, we expect satellite set-top boxes, with advanced modulation technologies, to account for 30% of the worldwide satellite set-top box unit shipments and Broadcom’s BCM4505 and BCM4506 should be positioned to be leading solutions in this market segment.”

Technical Information

The BCM4505 and the BCM4506 are fully integrated satellite receiver chip solutions targeted at advanced modulation satellite receiver systems and ideally suited for next generation personal video recorder (PVR) satellite receivers and integrated multi-function home media centers. The BCM4505 is a single-channel satellite receiver chip solution targeted at single-tuner advanced modulation satellite receiver systems. Integrating a single CMOS tuner and an advanced modulation decoder, the BCM4505 is designed to support the full 1-45 Mega-symbols per second (Msps) DVB operating range (with support for 250 to 2,150 MHz input frequencies).

The BCM4506 integrates dual CMOS tuners and dual advanced modulation decoders that support DVB-S2 broadcast, DVB-S, QPSK and 8PSK applications and is ideal for multi-tuner advanced modulation satellite receiver systems. The highly integrated tuner sections are based on existing and volume production Broadcom technologies to reduce external components and increase performance.

Also featured within each of the BCM4505 and BCM4506 solutions are four 8- bit analog to digital converters, all digital variable rate QPSK/8PSK receivers, an advanced modulation LDPC/BCH (low density parity check / Bose- Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem) and a DVB-S-compliant forward error correction decoder. All required RAM is integrated in the BCM4505 and BCM4506, and all required clocks are generated on-chip from a single reference crystal.

65 Nanometer Process Technology

The 65 nanometer process is the most advanced lithographic node for manufacturing semiconductors in large volumes today and provides significant benefits over 90 nm and 130 nm processes by enabling lower power consumption, smaller size and higher levels of integration. For Broadcom, the move to 65 nanometer process technology is changing the competitive landscape because of the breadth and depth of the communications intellectual property the company possesses. Without a broad portfolio of market-leading solutions to integrate, competitors are not able to take full advantage of the benefits that these next-generation processes provide. Broadcom’s vast communications intellectual property for transporting voice, video and data at home, work and on-the-go are helping to offer customers and service providers with a truly seamless communications experience for end users worldwide.

Availability and Pricing

Both the BCM4505 and BCM4506 satellite receivers are now sampling to early access customers. Pricing is available upon request.

Link: Broadcom