What's New
Processor Power (PMIC) - TPS65230: Power Management IC for Digital Set Top Boxes
Processor Power (Single-Channel LDO) - TPS73501: Single Output LDO, 500mA, Adjustable, Low Quiescent Current, Low Noise, High PSRR
System Power - TPS54325: 4.5V to 18V Input, 3A Synchronous Step Down SWIFT™ Converter with D-CAP2™ Mode
TI offers a complete Digital Set-Top-Box (STB) solution which converts signals into content which can then be displayed on a television screen. This solution can be easily used to create standalone Streaming Media products or Digital Video Recorder (DVR) systems. Additionally, this solution can also be used as a sub-system to add streaming media capability to various consumer products. With the addition of a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), this platform can be made to support DVR or Personal Video Recorder (PVR) functionality as well. Added system savings can be achieved by compressing content before storing.
Core subsystem includes:
- Digital Media Processor - At the heart of the system, TI's family of Digital Media Processors can handle complex processing functions such as decoding, transcoding/encoding (converting from one format to another) and transrating (scaling from a higher to a lower bit rate) of various media streams, as well as having the ability to accommodate system-level functions such as decryption, encryption, packetization and transport of media streams. Besides broadcast content, a TI-based STB can seamlessly support content from a home network or from the Internet directly. TI’s fully programmable devices enable quick compatibility with new codec technologies used by any Internet site or PC, including future versions that may not be anticipated at the time of product design. Furthermore, the DSPs are software-compatible meaning the software investment can be re-used across various products from SD boxes to HD boxes and beyond, reducing development time and cost.
- MCU - The MSP430 microcontroller can be used for everything from managing the interface with the remote control to managing the power consumption of the unit through control and application of several different operating modes. The MSP430 can enable longer battery life in the remote and a drastic decrease in the power consumption of the STB with almost no increase in the complexity of the system.
- Video Interface - The video source to be decoded/encoded is selected by the ADC/DAC and DSP. Both the video front end and output stages require high-performance op-amps to amplify the video signal. For this solution it is critical to support multiple ATSC DTV formats, NTSC/PAL, composite and S-Video. Supporting full HD at 1080p resolution with 3D adaptive filtering will be the norm very soon.
- Audio Interface - Allows audio to be digitized by the audio codec and processed by the DSP to provide high-quality audio for MPEG/AC3 requirements. The audio is also converted back to analog format and made available via the stereo output jack and headphones. With such features as high SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) and analog low-pass filtering, a high-quality audio output is guaranteed.
- User Interface - Allows the user to control video/audio I/O sources and communication with the system network. The user interface also includes connectivity to the remote control via an IrDA or low-power wireless device residing on the unit itself as well as on the remote control unit. Many consumer products are beginning to utilize an RF remote control thanks to the RF4CE initiative being led by TI.
- Broadband & Wireless Connectivity - Allows interactive TV, gaming, streaming audio and video, voice over IP (VoIP), and video telephony to transmit and receive through ADSL, cable modem, and 802.11 interface.
- Power Conversion - Including the AC-to-DC conversion to create the main power for the unit itself, most every functional block in the STB requires a particular power solution; core and I/O power for the main processor, DDR memory, as well as power for the tuner and video/analog signal chains. TI offers all necessary power solutions to meet stringent energy conservation mandates.
