STB chip supports advanced security features

STMicroelectronics has announced the STi5107, a new MPEG decoder for standard-definition TV and part of the company's OMEGA family of STB solutions. Using the new device, manufacturers will be able to cut their total component cost and simplify board design and assembly, while offering enhanced security features.

Designed to meet the requirements of the mainstream STB market, the STi5107 provides a unified, single-device platform for STBs ranging from basic low-cost products up to Multimedia Home Platform (MHP) applications, for satellite, cable, and terrestrial services and plug-in TV modules.

Advance-security STB
ST currently supports the high-volume advanced-security STB market with the STi5517 and STi5100, which have been designed into many advanced security STBs worldwide. The new chip offers a smooth migration path from designs based on these and other earlier-generation OMEGA devices, thanks to ST's proprietary STAPI driver support and full reference software.

The decoder supports the advanced security features required by all major conditional access (CA) suppliers. The 200MHz clock speed of the embedded ST20 32bit RISC CPU core—a widely used CPU in the STB market—provides increased power for advanced applications and is fully compatible with all mainstream STB middleware.

Overall performance is further increased by an integrated 2D graphics engine, which relieves the CPU of on-screen display (OSD) overhead and provides an enhanced experience for the TV viewer. This graphics subsystem is supported by an advanced 'blitter'-based display, which quickly implements bit-mapped graphics in hardware.

Pay-TV services
Like the other OMEGA devices, the STi5107 integrates a transport de-multiplex block, the ST20 32bit CPU, an audio/video MPEG-2 decoder, a digital video encoder, advanced security features and the enhanced display and graphics features. DVB descramblers in the transport de-multiplex block and Macrovision copy protection allow it to be used in cost-effective pay-TV services.

The STi5107 is built using the company's low-power technology and is offered in LQFP216 and PBGA324 packages. Samples are available today, with volume production starting early this quarter. Pricing is $6 in 100,000 quantities.