NXP Semiconductors has readied what it claims is the industry's first fully integrated downconverter for Ku-band digital video broadcasting satellite low-noise block (LNB). Manufactured using its advanced silicon germanium (SiGe) BiCMOS process, QUBiC4G, this highly integrated IC offers designers the first silicon solution for use in the LNB of digital video broadcasting satellite (DVB-S) receivers, which are typically used by commercial satellite television operators and television networks for remote broadcasting. On-chip functions include low-noise amplifier (LNA), mixer, downconverter, PLL, crystal oscillator and IF buffer. As per NXP, this fully RF tested IC, the TFF1004HN, is far more cost effective than current discrete solutions using gallium arsenide (GaAs) components and dielectric resonator oscillator (DRO).

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Developed in cooperation with Andrew Corporation, the monolithic LNB is now ready for implementation in their satellite LNB, said NXP. “The introduction of the TFF1004HN is a major milestone in satellite receiver technology,” said Ron Schiltmans, engineering manager, Andrew Corporation. “Over the past years, we've worked closely with NXP during the definition and development of the LNB chip. NXP's new highly integrated IC offers the benefits of stability and reliability that discrete solutions can not offer, while simultaneously maintaining a low total cost of ownership.”

The LNB chip is housed in a small HVQFN24 package that measures only 4 × 4 × 0.85 mm, allowing for the smallest total LNB footprint when used as part of the complete NXP LNB solution.

Supporting RF input frequencies between 10.7 and 12.7 GHz, and using a selectable LO operating at 9.75 GHz or 10.6 GHz, the TFF1004HN complies with Asian and European standards. Development of a U.S.-compliant TFF1004HN is in progress, said the manufacturer.

The application for the TFF1004HN is low-noise block (LNB) for Ku-band satellite reception for the Asian and European standards (RF input frequency 10.7~12.75 GHz, LO selectable to 9.75 and 10.6 GHz)

For more information, visit http://www.nxp.com/documentation/commercial/rf/index.html.