Tiny module tunes in to One-Seg digital broadcast

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Sharp Corp. unveils the VA3A5JZ912 tuner module for One-Seg terrestrial digital broadcast reception that features the industry's smallest package size and lowest power consumption, while offering enhanced receiving performance when the user is moving at high speeds.

In One-Seg-compatible mobile phones, consumers demand compact designs that fit comfortably in the palm of the hand and features high level of long-term performance. To meet this needs, Sharp applied high-density mounting technology to achieve what it touts as the industry's smallest package size (7.3-by-7.3-by-1.25mm), about 45 percent smaller in volume than Sharp's previous model. It also developed a chipset combining a tuner IC and an OFDM demodulation IC which use a proprietary control function to minimize current consumption. The result is a low power consumption of 85mW.

The chip tunes in to a receiving frequency band of 470-770MHz (UHF channels 13 to 62). Other chip specifications include a transport stream output format and I?C bus interface. It requires a supply voltage of 2.9V (RF), 1.2V (OFDM core), an I/O supply voltage of 1.8-2.9V and features a power consumption of 85mW.

The chip will be introduced in Japan where One-Seg terrestrial digital broadcasts has been deployed since April 2006. Samples will be available in July with volume shipments to commence in September. Pricing is at $81.30 for volume quantities.