NXP and Afa Technologies collaborate to deliver ultra-low power DVB-T front-end solutions for portable TV

Move to promote the adoption of free-to-air digital TV on all handheld and portable multimedia devices

TAIPEI, Taiwan — COMPUTEX 2007 — NXP, the independent semiconductor company founded by Philips, today announced its collaboration with Taiwan-based design house, Afa Technologies to develop ultra-low power DVB-T front-end solutions for portable devices. The first of the collaborative platforms launched today – the DB216 – combines NXP’s ultra-low power silicon tuner TDA18291 and Afa’s new AF9035 demodulator, to offer a highly integrated small form factor, low cost, low power solution for high-quality TV viewing. The companies also unveiled the DB214 reference design on a USB stick for improvement in picture quality in comparison to a traditional tuner can, while achieving a very small form factor.

The DB216 DVBT front-end delivers the industry’s lowest power consumption of <300mW enabling longer viewing time, when using one silicon tuner. A form factor of 50mm x 20mm makes for a small cost-effective reference design, which offers easy integration into devices such as portable LCD TVs, multimedia and DVD players, PC notebooks and USB sticks, personal navigation devices, PDAs, as well as handheld gaming devices. The DB216 is also capable of improved signal reception for free-to-air digital TV in both mobile and fixed environments when dual diversity is built in.

“The growing demand for anytime, anywhere TV needs to be fulfilled with highly-efficient, quality viewing on a plethora of devices and the DB216 is the first of a series of concerted steps by NXP and Afa to lend our customers greater flexibility when designing portable viewing devices,” said Philip Sun, Executive Vice President of Afa Technologies. “NXP’s silicon tuners are a perfect match for Afa’s technology to deliver ultra-low power DVB-T solutions.”

“As a leader in silicon tuners, NXP’s partnership with Afa strengthens our position to deliver an impeccable digital TV viewing experience on portable devices,” said Robert Murray, Marketing Director of the Business Line TV Front End, NXP Semiconductors. “The new DVB-T front-end platforms reinforce the integration of digital TV reception, making it a real and affordable feature, for OEMs and consumers alike.”

The DB214 and DB216 are on demo at Computex 2007 in Taipei, Taiwan, June 5-9 2007.