STMicroelectronics Introduces Single-Chip Set-Top

STMicroelectronics, the world's leading supplier of silicon chips for
set-top boxes (STBs), has introduced two new single-chip STB ICs that
enable manufacturers to increase product performance and implement
added-value features using fewer components. The STi5197 for cable
STBs and STi5189 for satellite STBs share a common architecture and
are software compatible, enabling efficient development and fast
time-to-market for products such as basic zappers, interactive and
DVR-capable STBs, and hybrid STBs.

The STi5197 includes a QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation)
demodulator and the STi5189 includes a QPSK (quadrature phase-shift
keying) demodulator, and both products have a common architecture for
MPEG-2 audio/video-decoding and application-processing functions. The
common architecture saves product development time, lowers
bill-of-material costs, and simplifies pc-board design to deliver
highly price-competitive products into global markets. Each device
supports relevant cable or satellite broadcast standards. The STi5197
supports DVB-C including ITU-T J83 Annexes A/B/C, and TSMF (Transport
Stream Multiplex Frame). The STi5189 supports DVB-S for satellite. All
industry-standard middleware and browsers are also supported.

Both ICs support all major conditional-access security schemes, with
integrated DVB, DES (Data Encryption Standard), Multi2 and ICAM
(Integrated Conditional Access Module) descramblers as well as a
built-in smart-card interface, which will help to broaden markets for
pay-TV services.

"The STi5197 sets a new industry standard for secure, mass-market
set-top boxes, reinforcing the outstanding success of the ST's OMEGA
family of MPEG2 decoders," said Philippe Lambinet Executive VP of Home
Entertainment and Display group. "It will bring further cost
reductions for manufacturers while giving viewers the advanced
connectivity features they now expect as standard, while respecting
low power requirements."

Additional features common to both devices include an interface to
off-chip Flash memory, enabling support for a PVR-type time-shift
feature without requiring a hard disk drive. The USB interface
provided is ideal for general connectivity including implementing
DVR-enabled STBs. An Ethernet interface is also integrated enabling
manufacturers to build hybrid STBs on the same platform. There is also
an integrated audio subsystem providing digital and analog outputs and
supporting MP3 and Dolby Digital 5.1 decoding.