Hybrid demodulators fit DVB, analog video broadcast

Marvell Semiconductor has announced the 88DE80xx family of hybrid demodulators developed for worldwide TV RF sub-systems. The first products on the market are the Marvell 88DE8020 and 88DE8025, single chip hybrid demodulators for DVB and analog video broadcasting worldwide.

The 88DE8020 and 88DE8025 demodulate intermediate frequency (IF) signals from the hybrid tuner and generates digital transport stream and analog composite video with sound intermediate frequency (SIF). The Marvell-designed integrated RF sub-system is designed to enable TV makers to develop a single TV controller chassis for worldwide needs and localize it with region specific tuners and demodulators.

Measuring only 7mm x 7mm in a 48-pin QFN package, the 88DE8020 features very high level integration for the demodulation of DVB-Cable, DVB-Terrestrial and NTSC/PAL/SECAM. The 88DE8025 is a pin-compatible subset of the 88DE8020 supporting analog and DVB-T demodulation for applications that do not require DVB-C. Typically, TV makers need to provide multiple SAW filters, and separate analog and digital demodulators for integrated DTVs that support hybrid terrestrial and cable networks in DVB countries. The high level of integration in the Marvell 88DE8020 is designed to enable TV manufacturers to develop RF sub-systems that have lower cost, lower power and a slimmer profile.

"Demodulator performance is one of the critical blocks for an immersive viewing experience for digital television sets," said Nikhil Balram, VP and general manager of the digital entertainment business unit, communications and consumer business group at Marvell Semiconductor. "We believe the Marvell 88DE80xx solutions for worldwide RF sub-system market to enable our customers to achieve robust reception under varying signal conditions like multi-path, adjacent and co-channel interference and impulse channel noise with Marvell's proprietary ClearRF technology, while also achieving lower cost and lower power through our high integration."

"I am very impressed with the analog and digital reception performance of the Marvell hybrid demodulator in demodulating our field capture test suites covering Europe including multiple simultaneous impairments," said Keith Potter, CEO of Digital TV Labs, an independent DTV testing authority for DVB receivers in Bristol, United Kingdom.

"The demand for single chip hybrid demodulator continues to grow as people are always looking for better viewing experiences," said Paul O'Donovan, principal analyst for the technology and service provider research group at Gartner. "The European market for integrated television sets in the home are expected to grow from approximately 10 percent to 42 percent of the total worldwide demand over the next five years, confirming Europe's commitment to digital broadcasting."

The Marvell 88DE802x parts are sampling now and will be shipping in Q1 10. Budgetary pricing for 88DE8020 and 88DE8025 are respectively $3.25 and $2.75 for quantities of 500K units or more.

For application notes on demodulators click here.