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Sharp tuner with Super Compact housing for slim-line AV equipment

New DVB-S and DVB-T tuners are one third slimmer than conventional models. Model variations for horizontal and vertical integration offer development engineers additional freedom in the design, e.g. of LCD flat-screen televisions, personal video recorders (PVR) and set-top boxes (STB).

Hamburg, 9 May 2007 – At the Anga Cable, Sharp is presenting new DVB-S and DVB-T tuners with the slimmest housings currently available on the market. Furthermore, both line-ups include model variations for horizontal or vertical mounting respectively. With the two new model series, the height of the housing for vertical integration tuners and the width of the housing for horizontal integration tuners are around 30 percent lower than that of conventional tuners. This is a significant advantage in the development of the next generation of, for example, satellite receivers, TV sets and personal video recorders (PVR). Thanks to the improved form factor and the flexibility in mounting, the Super Compact tuners offer development engineers more freedom in the design of modern slim-line devices. The housing of the new Super Compact tuner is around a third smaller in volume. This, coupled with the model variations for horizontal or vertical integration, means that it is much easier to accommodate two or more tuner components in the housing chassis and to make the best use of the space available. In this way, televisions and PVRs, for example, can be equipped with an additional receiver part for satellite TV. Up until now, many appliances needed an external receiver for this.

Latest DVB-S technology on the smallest of spaces

Despite its new slimmed down form, the new Super Compact DVB-S tuner has excellent technical features, particularly in terms of receiver dynamics, interference immunity, input sensitivity and sideband noise. This is ensured by the receiver ICs which have been specially developed by Sharp and are based on many years of development know-how in the high-frequency range and special knowledge in HDTV reception. 

The slim-line DVB-S tuners cover the typical frequency range between 950 and 2150 MHz for satellite TV transmission with standard resolution (SDTV). The model series of the Super Compact DVB-S tuners includes pure RF front-end reception parts with housing dimensions of 30.5 x 29.6 x 13.2 millimetres as well as so-called network-integrated modules (NIM) tuners. These are equipped with a QPSK demodulator type STV0288 from ST Microelectronics that supplies a digital 8-bit data stream for further signal processing. The housing of the DVB-S Super Compact NIM measures 59.1 x 29.6 x 13.2 millimetres.

Current DVB-T technology in compact housing

From a technological perspective, the new Super Compact DVB-T tuners are similar to their slightly larger predecessor models. Correspondingly, the tuners cover the typical frequency range of between 147 and 862 MHz for terrestrial TV transmission and fulfil all current standards whilst offering a high technological and qualitative performance. The Super Compact DVB-T tuner model series from Sharp includes pure RF front-end reception parts with a housing measuring 47.75 x 29.6 x 13.2 millimetres as well as NIM models. These integrate the RF front end together with a COFDM demodulator with a type ZL10353 circuit from Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. that supplies a digital 8-bit data stream for further signal processing. The housing of the DVB-T Super Compact NIM measures 70 x 29.6 x 13.2 millimetres.

Diversity and compatibility of models shorten development times

The Super Compact model series for DVB-S and DVB-T tuner are based on a further development of the corresponding reception components with standard housing from Sharp. All Super Compact tuners are therefore completely pin-compatible with the respective Sharp standard model. This means that design engineers can base the next generation of AV equipment on the respective predecessor models without needing to make any time-consuming and costly adaptations to the tuner components. Furthermore, with the introduction of the Super Compact model series Sharp is offering a unique range of tuner components for terrestrial, satellite and cable TV reception and can therefore provide the right solution for the most diverse requirements.

The NIM tuners in the respective model series are also shortening the development times. As the DVB-T or DVB-S RF front ends are combined with suitable demodulators in each case, hardware developers do not have to carry out comprehensive high-frequency technology development work or spend time optimising demodulator switches. The DVB-NIM tuners therefore help Sharp partners to achieve shorter time-to-market cycles and competitive advantages. 

Like all terrestrial, satellite and cable tuners from Sharp, the new Super Compact DVB tuners comply with the valid RoHS standards.

Availability

The new Super Compact DVB-S and DVB-T tuners respectively are available with immediate effect from the Sharp sales offices and distribution partners.

Super Compact DVB-S Tuner

Super Compact DVB-T Tuner

You are welcomed to visit us at the Anga Cable Hall 10.2, Stand L2

About Sharp Microelectronics Europe

Sharp Microelectronics Europe, Hamburg, Germany, is a divisional company of Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH, which is a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a worldwide developer of core digital technologies that are playing an integral role in shaping the next generation of electronic products for consumer and business needs. Sharp Microelectronics Europe offers groundbreaking solutions in the areas of memory products, LCD, Opto Components, CCD, RF/IR, IC and LSI components, along with packaging and integration skills that help design engineers throughout Europe to bring their ambitious ideas to market. Sharp Microelectronics Europe is dedicated to improving people’s lives through the use of advanced technology and a commitment to innovation, quality, value and design.

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Ralf Schäfer
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