ST reveals faster route to certified cable STBs

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: STMicroelectronics has unveiled its most highly integrated chip for interactive high-definition PVR (personal video recorder) cable set-top boxes, which will significantly reduce equipment design, cost, and certification challenges for its customers. ST is also supporting its new IC, the STiH225, with a reference design that greatly simplifies first-time certification of new designs that meet applicable Data over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) and EuroDOCSIS standards.

The STiH225 integrates a complete interactive cable set-top box processor and analog/digital interface on a single chip. It combines the functions of ST's STi7141 cable STB system-on-chip and STV0130 3-channel analog front end with an Ethernet physical interface. At its introduction in January 2009, the STi7141 was the first device on the market to support HDTV, broadband Internet up to 100Mbit/s thanks to its integrated cable modem, and sophisticated digital video recording functions in a single component.

Leveraging the architectural advantages of the STi7141, the STiH225 features dual-core processing, which ensures full performance is always available for set-top box functions and for broadband communication. The STiH225 is fully software compatible with the STi7141, allowing customers to migrate designs quickly and easily to the new device, taking advantage of DOCSIS 2.0 certification and support for Internet Protocol v6.

A three-channel set-top box based on this device can be completed using very few additional components. Designers are free to use three discrete cable tuners or a tuner module in the standardized network interface module form factor. This enables designers to reduce the printed circuit board area and bill-of-materials costs to deliver competitively priced, compact interactive set-top boxes that provide access to high-value services.

"The STiH225 and supporting reference design enable equipment developers to deliver highly featured and fully certified new products to market in the shortest possible timeframe and at the most competitive price possible," said Laurent Remont, General Manager of the Connected Home Division, STMicroelectronics. "The STi7141 set a new industry benchmark in 2009, with its highly integrated functionality. The STiH225 now takes system integration to the next level."