MaxLinear supplies MxL601 “super radio” tuner ICs to Sharp for TV modules

CARLSBAD, USA: MaxLinear Inc., a leading provider of integrated radio frequency (RF) and mixed-signal integrated circuits for broadband communication applications, announced that its MxL601 tuner IC has been selected by the tuner module division of Sharp Corp. for its next generation of global hybrid TV tuner modules.

Sharp is one of the world’s leading TV tuner module companies supplying the modules that power leading TV manufacturers’ lines of flat panel televisions. Sharp recently made headlines by introducing the industry’s smallest TV tuner module.

“We’ve dubbed the MxL601 the ‘super radio’ because of the outstanding performance the part has delivered in early implementations. To get this performance out of an IC based on a low-power 65-nm CMOS process really sets this device apart from the competition,” said Yves Rasse, senior director of MaxLinear’s Consumer Product Line. “Sharp’s choice of the MxL601 is an extension of our long partnership with the company; a partnership that continues to grow as we bring new innovations like the MxL601 to market.”

Consistent with Sharp’s ultra-compact, high performance TV tuner module designs, the company has chosen the MxL601 to help meet its needs and accelerate the transition from traditional MOPLL tuner implementations to more cost-effective silicon tuner solutions across its entire product line of tuner modules.

The MxL601 65-nm CMOS hybrid TV tuner delivers superior analog and digital TV reception quality, enabling cost-effective silicon tuner solutions that can be applied to all screen sizes. The device is based on MaxLinear’s 65-nm CMOS advanced radio technology that has been shipping in volume since early 2011.

An unmatched level of integration in the MxL601 results in an eBOM that is reduced to only a few low-cost discrete components, and ultra-low power consumption of 300mW in typical applications. This combination of integration and ultra-low power creates a footprint that allows manufacturers to differentiate with smaller and more efficient multi-standard front-end solutions.

MxL601’s supported standards include: PAL, SECAM, NTSC, DVB-T/T2, ISDB-T, ISDB-Tmm, ATSC, ATSC M/H, DTMB, ITU-T J.83 Annex A (DVB-C) / B (US cable) / C (Japan), DOCSIS and EURODOCSIS, with the broadcast standard configured through software.

The MxL601 has been designed to seamlessly interface with all major backend TV SoCs, which makes it possible for TV and module makers to leverage the growing trend of integrating analog TV demodulators into backend SoCs.

MaxLinear's MxL601 65-nm hybrid tuner IC is sampling now. Mass production is scheduled to start in December 2011.