Systems On Chip target digital TV applications.
Press Release Summary:
Optimized for North American TV standards, single-chip Models TC90407XBG and TC90407FG incorporate 64-bit MIPS-based RISC host processor and 2 DSP processors. They decode single SD or HD streams and display content in SD or half HD resolution. Units include VSM and QAM for demodulation of ATSC and cable streams, audio processor with MPEG-Audio and Dolby AC-3 decoding, plus I2S and S/P-DIF transmitter. Add-on modules are available for digital CRT and LCD TV applications.
Original Press Release:
Toshiba Rolls Out Second-Generation, Single-Chip Solution for Mid-Range and Low-End Digital TV Applications as Well as Add-on Modules for Digital CRT and LCD TV Applications
Highly Integrated TC90407XBG/FG SoCs Optimized for North American TV Standards
SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 14 /- Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* today expanded its TC904XX family of highly integrated, single-chip system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions for mid-range and low-end digital TV applications with the introduction of a second-generation product. Available in two versions and designated TC90407XBG and TC90407FG, the new SoCs were specifically designed for North American TV standards, including the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standard and digital cable. Compared to the previous generation devices, they integrate more on-chip functional blocks to reduce system cost and support new algorithms that improve picture quality significantly. The devices incorporate vestigial side band (VSB) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) for demodulation of ATSC and cable streams. The company also introduced two new add-on modules to streamline design-to-production time for its ODM and OEM customers: DLVM-GC for digital CRT TV applications and DLVM-GL for LCD TV applications. These modules allow existing analog CRT or analog LCD TV designs to be converted to ATSC-compliant designs.
"The introduction of the TC90407XBG/FG chips and DLVM-GC/DLVM-GL modules marks another major milestone in our strategy to offer complete platform solutions for the digital TV segment," said Shardul Kazi, vice president of the ASSP Business Unit at TAEC. "Engineered here at TAEC and optimized for the North American market, our TC90407XBG/FG single-chip ICs are highly integrated, cost-effective SoC solutions for both LCD and digital CRT TVs, set-top boxes and digital-to-analog TV converter boxes. Concurrently, we are introducing two application-specific modules based on the TC90407XBG to help our customers reduce product development time considerably and get a jump on competition." Mr. Kazi noted that a driving force in this market is the Congressional mandate that U.S. broadcast television service completely convert to digital terrestrial transmission by 2009.
TC90407XBG and TC90407FG Single-Chip Solutions
The second-generation TC90407XBG and TC90407FG are highly integrated SoCs for mid- to low-end digital TV applications that incorporate a high-performance 64-bit MIPS-based(TM) RISC host processor and two highly optimized DSP processors for compute-intensive multimedia tasks. The devices are capable of decoding a single standard-definition or high-definition stream and display content in standard-definition resolution (720 x 480 pixels) or half high-definition resolution (960 x 1080 pixels). The following features are common to both chips:
o A 162MHz TX49/L3 64-bit RISC processor core with 8KB instruction cache and 8KB data cache, a unified memory system, a 16-bit, 162MHz DDR SDRAM controller, and NAND/NOR Flash support
o An integrated 8-VSB and 64/256 QAM demodulator for ATSC TV
o A transport stream processor that is fully compliant to ATSC standards and cable transport streams
o A video decoder for standard-definition decoding. It supports MPEG-2 decoding (MP@ML and MP@SL) and MPEG-1 decoding.
o A video decoder for high-definition decoding. It supports MPEG-2 decoding for MP@HL for ATSC and digital cable. A high-definition decoded stream can be displayed in high-definition resolution up to 960 x 1080 and is 720p or 1080i compliant. It also has high-definition to standard-definition down-conversion for display in standard-definition resolution.
o An audio processor with MPEG- Audio and Dolby AC-3 decoding plus an I2S and S/P-DIF transmitter (IEC-60958/61937)
o A graphics engine with two planes for YUV/graphics, alpha blending, video scaling and progressive scan with I/P conversion through line-interpolation
o Video output using a dual NTSC video encoder and 4 DACs that support two 480i analog outputs for standard-definition or one 720p/1080i output for high-definition. It provides 4:2:2 YUV digital-output (ITU R656/R601), VBI re-insertion with closed-caption and CGMS-A, and interlaced or progressive output.
o A wide range of interfaces and peripherals: a 8/16-bit 40.5 MHz local bus for NAND/NOR flash and other I/O devices, a two-channel DMA controller, two sets of SIO interface (UART), ten PIOs, three 24-bit timer/counters, two sets of I2C interface, an IR-decoder and an IR-blaster
o Has power-down and standby operations
o A complete reference system with software and middleware support for quick product deployment
o Software and middleware based on the MontaVista(R) Linux operating system from MontaVista Software, Inc.
o Common application program interface support for middleware and application development
o Packaging: TC90407XBG is housed in a 292-pin PBGA package while TC90407FG is offered in a 256-pin LQFP package
Application-Specific Modules for Digital CRT TV and LCD TV Applications
TAEC offers two application-specific modules based on the TC90407XBG digital TV SoC, the DLVM-GC module for digital CRT TV applications and the DLVM-GL module for LCD TV applications. Both modules decode digital transmission content and provide analog or digital output to a currently existing TV backend processor system that decodes analog transmission for display. Both modules consist of the TC90407XBG digital TV SoC, DDR SDRAM and NOR Flash memory, and an audio DAC. The DLVM-GC can decode high-definition or standard-definition streams and provide 480i/480p/720p/1080i format analog output (CVBS or YCbCr type) for digital CRT TV applications. This module also generates digital audio output (SPDIF). As well, the module can be used for digital converter box applications. Like the DLVM-GC module, the DLVM-GL module can take a high-definition or standard-definition stream as input from the tuner and provide both 8- or 16-bit digital video output for LCD TV applications. This DLVM-GL module generates digital audio (I2S) and video outputs. Firmware and device drivers are ported for the Linux(R) operating system. Toshiba's industry-proven ATSC middleware, drivers and application-adaptation layer along with sample application code is available for quick product deployment.
Pricing and Availability
Samples of TC90407XBG are currently available and volume production is planned for April 2007. Samples of TC90407FG are scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2007. Pricing ranges from $15.00 to $18.00 in 100,000-piece quantities (based on a one-year volume commitment). The DLVM-GC and DLVM-GL reference modules are currently available; interested customers should contact TAEC.
About TAEC's Digital TV Offering
Toshiba's digital TV product portfolio is comprised of two families of highly integrated SoCs that support high-end to low-end digital TV applications. Toshiba currently offers the TC81240A chip (high-definition stream to high-definition display) for high-end DTV applications; this device is in mass production now. The TC904XX SoC family (high-definition stream to half horizontal resolution or standard-definition display) serves mid- to low-end DTV applications. Additional products are in development to round out both families. Toshiba supports all hardware and software development requirements with reference designs, drivers and firmware, operating systems, ATSC middleware, and application and user interface development tools. Currently available for rapid product development are the following:
o Hardware: TC81240A global digital TV reference system, TC90400 global digital TV reference system, TC90400 LCD digital TV reference system, TC90400 digital-to-analog TV converter module, and TC90407 evaluation board for digital CRT and LCD TVs
o System software: Linux operating system port support as well as driver and firmware for each chip
o Middleware: ATSC, DVB and ARIB middleware that supports worldwide TV standards
o Application development tools and an electronics programming guide
About TAEC
Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings a breadth of advanced, next-generation technologies to its customers. This broad offering includes memory and flash memory-based storage solutions, a broad range of discrete devices, displays, medical tubes, ASICs, custom SOCs, microprocessors, microcontrollers and wireless components for the computing, wireless, networking, automotive and digital consumer markets.
TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp. (Toshiba), Japan's largest semiconductor manufacturer and the world's fourth largest semiconductor manufacturer. In more than 130 years of operation, Toshiba has recorded numerous firsts and made many valuable contributions to technology and society. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC's website at chips.toshiba.com. For technical inquiries, please e-mail Tech.Questions@taec.toshiba.com.
All trademarks and tradenames used herein are the properties of their respective holders.
CONTACT: Deborah Chalmers of Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc., +1-408-526-2454, deborah.chalmers@taec.toshiba.com
