MaxLinear Inc. and MStar Semiconductor Develop Reference Design for Next-Generation Ultra High Definition Smart Cable Gateway
January 04, 2017 at 08:00 am EST
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MaxLinear Inc. and MStar Semiconductor announced a joint reference design that allows Chinese cable operators to deploy the next generation of ultra-high definition (UHD) smart cable gateway set-top boxes (STB). The MStar gateway platform uses MaxLinear’s MxL254C Full-Spectrum CaptureTM (FSC™) cable receiver IC, which digitizes the entire cable spectrum, performs the digital tuning and demodulation of up to four cable channels reducing power consumption, complexity and cost. The MxL254C also includes a parallel transport interface to the MPEG system-on-chip (SoC) providing an additional option for the serial transport interface. The smart gateway STB reference design enables cable operators in China, using MaxLinear’s leading FSC technology, to develop STBs with competitive features such as fast channel change, multi-screen share and remote network monitoring. The reference platform combines MaxLinear’s MxL254C cable receiver with MStar’s 4K MSA6Z18 SoC to offer cable operators the best-in-class UHD smart STB solution in a power and cost-optimized design. MSA6Z18 is a highly integrated, high performance UHD SoC fulfilling various CA/DRM requirement for STB application. With built-in high performance CPU, 3D GPU, VP9/HEVC decoder/encoder and full coverage of HDR technology, it provides the best complete solution for a rich features gateway. The MxL254 device is available for sampling and is in mass production.
MaxLinear, Inc. is a provider of radio frequency (RF), analog, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits for access and connectivity, wired and wireless infrastructure, and industrial and multi-market applications. It is engaged in providing communications systems-on-chip (SoC), solutions used in broadband, mobile and wireline infrastructure, data center, and industrial and multi-market applications. Its customers include electronics distributors, module makers, original equipment manufacturers, and original design manufacturers, who incorporate its products in a range of electronic devices, such as broadband modems compliant with data over cable service interface specifications, passive optical network, and digital subscriber line; Wi-Fi and wireline routers for home networking; radio transceivers and modems for 4G/5G base-station and backhaul infrastructure; optical transceivers targeting hyperscale data centers; as well as power management and interface products used in markets.
MAXLINEAR, INC. 
