Sharp Develops World's First Dual-Mode Tuner Module for DVB-H/T-DMB Terrestrial Digital Broadcast Reception

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007

Sharp Develops World’s First1 Dual-Mode Tuner Module for DVB-H2/T-DMB3 Terrestrial Digital Broadcast Reception

Sharp has developed the VA3B5EZ915 dual-mode tuner module capable of receiving both DVB-H and T-DMB terrestrial digital broadcasts, a world first.

In Japan, One-Seg terrestrial digital broadcasts for mobile devices began in April of last year, and total domestic shipments of One-Seg-compatible mobile phones is expected to exceed 10 million units by this summer. Internationally, similar services have begun, including DVB-H broadcasting in various areas centered on Europe and T-DMB broadcasting in Korea and some parts of Europe, and the market for terrestrial digital broadcasting for mobile devices is expected to grow outside of Japan as well.

The tuner module is designed to be embedded in mobile devices, mainly mobile phones. Hence, manufacturers are strongly demanding compact size, thin form factor, and low power consumption in this key component.

In response to such needs, Sharp has developed chip sets that are more compact, thinner in profile, and consume less power. The result is a dual-mode tuner module that supports both DVB-H and T-DMB broadcasts having the industry’s lowest power consumption4.

Major Features

1. Capable of receiving both DVB-H and T-DMB broadcasts, a world first
2. Industry’s lowest power consumption (43 mW)
3. Compact, thin-profile package size (8.0 x 8.0 x 1.25 mm)

Product name Tuner module for DVB-H/T-DMB terrestrial
digital broadcast reception
Model name VA3B5EZ915
Sample price (tax included) 20,000 yen
Samples available Beginning of July 2007
Production capacity 300,000 units (monthly)

Specifications

Model name VA3B5EZ915
Target areas International
Output format IP packet
Receiving frequency spectrums5
(center frequency)
VHF band: 174 to 245 MHz
UHF band: 474 to 746 MHz

L-band:  1,450 to 1,492 MHz
1,660 to 1,685 MHz
OFDM demodulation Built-in
Input sensitivity DVB-H reception: -97.5 dBm typ.
(8 MHz, QPSK, code rate = 1/2)

T-DMB reception: -102 dBm typ. (VHF, Mode I)
-101 dBm typ. (L-band, Mode I)
Control interfaces SDIO6, SPI7
Supply voltage 1.8 V (RF), 1.2 V (OFDM core)
I/O supply voltage 1.8 to 3.6 V
Power consumption DVB-H reception: 43 mW (typ. during time slice)
T-DMB reception: 190 mW (typ.)
Outside dimensions 8.0 x 8.0 x 1.25 mm

*1 As of May 22, 2007; based on Sharp research.
*2 DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting – Handheld) is a terrestrial digital broadcast standard for mobile devices adopted in various European countries and other areas.
*3 T-DMB (Terrestrial-Digital Media Broadcasting) is a terrestrial digital broadcast standard for mobile devices adopted in Korea and some areas of Europe.
*4 Average value for power consumption during a time slice. As of May 22, 2007; based on Sharp research.
*5 With GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) interference removal filter built-in.
*6 SDIO = Secure Digital Input/Output, an input/output interface standard
*7 SPI = Serial Peripheral Interface, an input/output interface standard