Microtune has introduced a world-standard RF-to-baseband IC based on a silicon architecture for TV receiver performance. The MT3141 single chip enables TV manufacturers to use a smaller, higher-performance and more cost-effective receiver across next-generation global DTV designs.
Based on Microtune's MicroCeiver architecture, the MT3141 is a miniaturized RF-to-baseband single chip that combines the functions of an RF tuner, analog TV demodulator, intermediate frequency (IF) filters and amplifiers in a 6 mm x 6 mm IC. It is also engineered to exceed the RF performance requirements of worldwide analog/digital broadcast and cable standards. It employs internal techniques and proprietary algorithms to continuously update information about signal conditions across the signal path.
Key performance metrics include:
- • Typical noise figure: 3 dB
- • Video signal to noise ratio: greater than 60 dB
- • Typical sensitivity ATSC: -88 dBm
- • DVB-T desired to undesired signal: exceeds NorDig 2.1 specifications by greater than 10 dB
The MT3141 receiver delivers sensitivity and adjacent channel rejection, technical metrics that directly translate into an increase in DTV signal coverage for broadcasters and stable TV reception for viewers.
A single chip, the MT3141 receives all frequencies in the 44 MHz to 1.0 GHz range. It converts a selected channel either to a low-IF or to a standard IF between 4 MHz and 57 MHz, and it outputs filtered audio (SIF) and baseband video (CVBS) signals.
“Faced with increasing complexity, shrinking ASPs, divergent broadcast standards, and the need to differentiate, TV manufacturers have been looking for a new class of world-standard electronics,” said James A. Fontaine, president and CEO of Microtune. “Yet across all these factors, manufacturers and consumers are driven by TV picture quality. With our MT3141, manufacturers can drive world-class receiver performance into global TVs, while reducing their footprint, design effort and manufacturing costs. Our highly integrated receiver provides the compelling price/performance to finally fuel the TV industry migration from traditional can tuners to silicon solutions, while taking digital TV into the future.”
Offered in a 6.0 mm x 6.0 mm 40-pin QFN package, the MT3141 tuner is available now, priced at $2.00 in high volume.
