Micronas COFDM chip has adaptive compensation schemes

Micronas GmbH unveiled the fourth generation of its COFDM (coded orthogonal frequency division multiplex) demodulator IC that addresses all types of atmospheric and dynamic interferences with new adaptive compensation schemes.

According to the company, it has developed the IC to capitalize on the inherent advantages of digital TV broadcast, such as higher channel density, more stable reception and improved picture and sound quality.

"This fourth-generation COFDM demodulator features the highest level of functional integration and front-end flexibility together with exceptional digital reception performance, which makes DVB-T reception available for a wider range of consumers," said Wladimir Punt, marketing manager digital TV at Micronas Holland in Nijmegen.

The DRX 3973D chip meets all international performance requirements including Nordig Unified, DTG and EICTA for DVB-T reception according to ETS 300 744, and targets manufacturers of digital or hybrid TV sets, STBs, recording equipment, PC-TV cards and Network Interface Modules.

One tuner, one SAW filter

In combination with the company's DRX 3960A, the DRX 3973D with its integrated PGA (Programmable Gain Amplifier) offers an economic solution, based on one tuner and one SAW filter, for a hybrid front-end allowing the user to receive either analog or digital broadcasts.

The high digital and analog adjacent channel performance and QEF better than 40dB I/C with one SAW filter are ensured through the company's digital filtering techniques in combination with a high-performance ADC and PLL. Meanwhile, progressive channel estimator algorithms provide high performance in multipath and dynamic echo conditions, and an integrated microprocessor performs autonomous detection and operation of all possible DVB-T modes without requiring interaction with the host processor.

Sample quantities for customer analysis of the DRX 3973D, which comes in a PMQFP64 package, will become available in July 2004. Production quantities are planned for shipment in the fourth quarter of 2004.