Deal with the mobile TV design challenge

Tag: DVB S Tuner

In reviewing mobile TV technology trends, one needs to differentiate between product feature set, packaging, performance, semiconductor processes used and, most importantly, the RF receiver performance.

Most single-standard demodulators currently available are those developed in CMOS processes ranging from 130nm down to 65nm. These solutions come with an RF transceiver in a system-in-package to provide the front-end mobile TV block.

However, while performance varies among the various solutions available, it is just a matter of time before most products meet the required transmission standards.

The major challenges ahead include achieving system power requirements below 50mW in "Time Slicing Mode" (including the RF and memory for multiservice); small form factors; and overcoming the complexity of system integration into consumer platforms. However, it is clear that as this market matures, the greatest challenges are meeting fast development cycle times and bringing down product cost.

Coming up with a solution Infineon embraced these challenges and developed the OmniVia TUS9090, a monolithic IC designed with an in-house RF CMOS 130nm process.

The SoC integrates the multiband RF receiver (VHF, UHF and L-bands for Europe and North America), the DVB-T demodulator block, and the PHY for the DVB-H and corresponding embedded memory required for both the firmware and multiservice data reception.