Sarnoff Silicon IP For VSB/QAM Demodulation Lets TV Sets Receive Cable or Broadcast Digital/HDTV

Demodulates 8-VSB and 64/256 QAM Signals; Combines With Sarnoff’s Audio/Video Decoder IP For Complete DTV Solution

PRINCETON, NJ (July 22, 2004) -- New silicon intellectual property (IP) from Sarnoff Corporation (www.sarnoff.com) demodulates digital/HDTV signals from both 8-VSB (broadcast) and 64/256QAM (cable) sources, allowing TV makers to put total digital TV reception capabilities on a single integrated circuit chip. Sarnoff’s VSB/QAM Demodulator Core, available for license now, is fully compatible with ATSC and OpenCable standards.

“This IP lets TV manufacturers quickly and cost-effectively meet FCC mandates that require digital TV capabilities in new sets,” said Bill Mayweather, Sarnoff Silicon Strategies Business Director. “It’s an integrated solution for cable and terrestrial broadcasts that works reliably even with inexpensive tuners. Combined with Sarnoff’s DTV audio/video decoder IP, it creates a complete DTV reception system.”

The new demodulator IP’s all-digital design eliminates the need for costly add-on circuitry. This cost-efficient approach will become increasingly important as DTV capabilities are added to smaller, less expensive TV sets and manufacturers begin making converters for older analog sets.

“By July 1, 2007 every TV set 13 inches or larger made for North America along with all TV appliances, such as video recorders, must include an 8-VSB capable tuner,” said Mayweather. “In a few years analog broadcasting will cease, too, and 300 million NTSC television receivers will no longer be able to receive an over-the-air signal.

“Our demodulator IP solves both problems. It gives manufacturers a way to assure that small TV sets with less sophisticated tuners will receive terrestrial HDTV even under adverse conditions. And it’s a key technology for inexpensive converter boxes to add DTV reception to analog TVs.”

Its integrated VSB/QAM architecture makes Sarnoff’s Demodulator Core one of the most area-efficient solutions available. The IP also includes forward error correction blocks for each standard. The output can be directly connected to an HDTV audio/video decoder via the parallel or serial interface. An optional 10-bit A/D converter is available to create a complete standalone system.

The demodulator is compatible with “The Receiver Performance Guideline Recommended Practice” recently approved by the Advanced Television Systems Committee.

Sarnoff’s digital TV IP is available for immediate delivery. Deliverables include Verilog® source code and test benches, firmware, extensive documentation, and engineering support. The IP can be customized to provide additional features for specific applications.

Princeton, NJ-based Sarnoff Corporation has a long history of video innovations, including a broad multimedia line of IP cores. The company’s work in video has earned it nine Emmy® awards for technical achievement, two of them in the area of video quality.

For Product Licensing Information, contact us at 609-734-2507, or via our contact form.

About Sarnoff
Sarnoff Corporation (www.sarnoff.com) produces innovations in electronic, biomedical and information technology that generate successful new products and services for clients worldwide. Founded in 1942 as RCA Laboratories, it develops breakthroughs in ICs, lasers, and imagers; drug discovery, manufacture and delivery; digital TV and video for security, surveillance, and entertainment; high-performance networking; and wireless communications. Its history includes the development of color TV, the liquid-crystal display, and the disposable hearing aid, and a leadership role in creating the new U.S. digital and HDTV standard. Sarnoff also founds new companies to bring its technologies to market. It is a subsidiary of SRI International.