Set-top box reference design for multi-channel ultra-HD services
The reference design accelerates OEM development of the next-generation of STBs and gateways, enabling satellite operators to deliver Ultra HD content using the high-efficiency video-coding (HEVC/ H.265) standard. Combining next-generation technology from ST and MaxLinear, the design supports the most demanding satellite-operator service offerings, including multiple decode, multi-channel personal video recorder (PVR), video-on-demand (VOD), multiple transcoding for streaming to second-screen clients and state-of-the-art graphics, even while maintaining very-low power consumption.
The reference design uses MaxLinear’s MxL5xx family of satellite Full-Spectrum Capture (FSC) receivers, and ST’s pin-compatible STiH312 “Cannes” and STiH412 “Monaco” set-top box system-on-chip (SoC) decoders. The platform supports a full array of end products, from HD HEVC-ready STBs with multiple-channel decoding to high-end servers with “4K” Ultra HD resolution and HEVC decode, along with the display and real-time transcoding of numerous HD streams simultaneously.
Both device families are pin-compatible, making the reference design scalable from four to eight channels and flexible to support either full HD or 4K Ultra HD with or without transcode. The platform can also be adapted for cable MSOs (Multiple System Operators) using the pin-compatible MxL2xx family of cable FSC multi-channel receivers.
The FSC front-end allows satellite operators to support a range of multi-channel features, including fast channel-change time, video streaming to multiple televisions or IP devices, flexible record/watch combinations and progressive VOD in background. Optional terrestrial front-end modules based on MaxLinear’s market-leading terrestrial receiver technology can be added to the platform to enable capture of over-the-air terrestrial broadcast channels.
The Cannes/Monaco SoC design is based on ARM multi-core processors, 2D/3D graphics performance with a Mali GPU, integrated hardware Faroudja multimedia subsystem with HEVC-capable robust video decoder, high-performance video encoder, and high-quality video pre/post processing. The Cannes/Monaco SoC families provide multiple interfaces: PCIe supporting Wi-Fi connectivity, smart-card interfaces, 6 Gbit/sec Gen 3 eSATA interfaces, USB2/3, SPI, I2C, SDIO and DDR3 memory support for flexible and affordable bill-of-materials HW designs. A security toolbox for premium content delivery is provided to optimise performance for premium content. The low power draw of both chipset families combined with support for active standby mode enables industry-leading low-power solutions.
The MxL5xx family includes three single-input RF receivers, the MxL541, MxL561, and MxL581, which have four, six and eight demodulators respectively. The MxL582 has two RF inputs and supports eight demodulators. The MxL544 supports four RF inputs and has four demodulators, while the MxL584 supports four RF inputs with eight demodulators. All the devices are available in very small form factor, pin-compatible 10 x 10 mm QFN packages.
The MxL5xx devices integrate all active front-end components, including the low-noise amplifiers (LNA). Due to the high levels of system integration, the bill of material (BOM) in end applications is reduced to a minimal number of low-cost passive components and a crystal, which enables ultra-compact low-cost system solutions.
The capture bandwidth of each RF input can be configured to match conventional L-band requirements (950 MHz – 2150 MHz) or to a wider bandwidth (250 MHz – 2300 MHz). Other benefits of the FSC technology include embedded remote spectrum monitoring, which provides built-in performance monitoring and remote diagnostics for satellite operators.
ST’s ‘Cannes’ client-box SoC family addresses a wide range of needs from extensive support of Ultra High Definition (STiH312) and High Definition (STiH310, STiH305) premium content to all-integrated, cost-optimised solutions.
The ‘Monaco’ family provides an economical, yet full-featured solution for server-type applications such as home gateways. The ST Faroudja Transcode Engine provides transcoding capabilities for multi-screen experiences across consumer and handheld devices. This allows operators to reduce their network bandwidth while offering an excellent quality of service throughout the home. The ‘Monaco’ family includes the ‘Ultra HD’ STiH412 and cost-optimised derivatives (STiH407 and STiH410) for HD markets.
MaxLinear; www.maxlinear.com
STMicroelectronics; www.st.com
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