NEW DEMODULATOR CHIPS FROM MITEL CORPORATION BOOST PERFORMANCE OF SATELLITE AND TERRESTRIAL DIGITAL TELEVISION
- Ultra-fast auto-scan capability speeds channel acquisition
- Demodulators combine with Mitel tuners to deliver fast route to market
Ottawa, Canada, April 9, 2001 - Mitel Corporation (NYSE/TSE:MLT) today announced two demodulator ICs that boost performance in satellite and terrestrial set-top boxes (STB), integrated television sets, and PC applications.
The MT312 for satellite applications, and the MT351 for terrestrial receivers, provide ultra-fast auto-scan capability, which enables systems to rapidly detect and tune digital television channels delivered by satellite and terrestrial links. The devices also support interactive services such as two-way television, e-commerce, video-on-demand and digital video encoding.
The MT312 and MT351 demodulators have also been combined with Mitel's tuners in two new reference designs that offer complete front-end solutions. Building on Mitel's expertise in RF, tuner, and STB integrated circuit design, the solutions speed time-to-market for equipment manufacturers by reducing hardware and software design-in cycles. The reference designs reduce manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for production alignment and RF screening.
"Mitel's new demodulator ICs have been carefully designed to provide the most direct and cost-effective route to market," said Jim Wallace, program manager, Mitel Semiconductor. "They kick-off our roadmap to deliver further integration, cost reduction and increased functionality to support integrated home-networking services for voice, data and video."
Digital television poised for high growth
According to Cahners In-Stat Group, the market for digital and Integrated Digital Television (iDTV) is expected to be over US $4 billion by 2004, up from US $800 million in 2000. Broadband interactive TV services such as e-commerce, pay-per-view sports, and personal video recording are going to drive this market. Datacasting services, which provide data services over terrestrial and satellite links, are already fueling strong demand for digital PC tuner applications.
"With so many factors contributing to the growth of digital television, there are major opportunities for any company that can bring complete, easy-to-implement solutions to market," said Gerry Kaufhold, principal analyst for Cahners In-Stat Group. "Supplying a turnkey solution that eliminates the cost and time associated with RF screening and production alignment should position Mitel to be a leader in this huge new industry."
Devices enhance performance with ultra-fast auto-scan capability
The MT312 is a single-chip variable rate digital Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) satellite demodulator. The device integrates two 6-bit ADC converters and a unique controller for acquisition and tracking modes that ensure minimal interaction, maximum flexibility, and the fastest auto-scan capability of any chip on the market today. With the ability to scan across the complete Astra band in under 10 seconds, the device enhances performance by enabling channels to be quickly acquired and tuned.
The MT351 demodulator incorporates advanced Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex (COFDM) technology that optimizes performance in the presence of low carrier-to-noise ratios. This provides broadcasters with wider coverage and lower power dissipation, while enhancing reception. The MT351 is easy to program, minimizes software control overhead on the main system processor, and provides very fast auto-search capability. In the United Kingdom, the device is able to scan across the complete UHF band in under six seconds, positioning it among the fastest devices on the market.
Reference designs simplify tuner design and reduce time-to-market
The two demodulator ICs have been integrated into reference designs that provide complete front-end solutions. The satellite network interface module (SNIM) integrates Mitel's SL1935 satellite tuner and the new MT312 demodulator. The module complies to the digital satellite system (DSS) specification used for DirectTV in the United States, as well as the digital video broadcast for satellite (DVB-S) standard deployed in Europe and around the world.
The terrestrial network interface module (TNIM) includes the MT351 decoder with a SEM, Siel or Alps tuner. The module enables fast time-to-market for systems compliant to the digital video broadcast for terrestrial (DVB-T) standard.
Price and Availability
The SL1935 is available to order, supplied in a 36-pin SSOP with tape and reel option, for under US $2.20 in 100K volumes. Packaged in an 80-pin MQFP, the MT312 is sampling now, and will be available for US $3.90 in 100K volumes. The MT351 is also sampling now, offered in an 80-pin MQFP package, and priced at US $10.99 in 100K volumes.
Both designs are available now, fully supported with a database of layout files and schematics.
The devices will be showcased at MediaCast 2001, May 21-23, ExCel Exhibition and Conference Centre, Docklands, London, Booth L50. Applications information, photos, and data sheets can be downloaded from http://www.mitelsemi.com.
About Mitel Corporation
Mitel Corporation is a global provider of communications semiconductors for converging voice and data networks in an Internet economy. Backed by a strong technology portfolio, some 2,300 customer-focused employees worldwide, and sales in more than 100 countries, the company delivers broadband connectivity solutions targeted to wireline, wireless and optical markets. In Fiscal 2000, Mitel Corporation had annual revenues from semiconductor operations of $600 million. For more information visit www.mitelsemi.com.
Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, among others, the risks discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are encouraged to consider the risks detailed in those filings.
For further Information:
| Claire Nagy | Tiana Wiersma |
| Mitel Corporation | HIPR, Inc. |
| 613-592-0200 | 503 222-1257 |
| claire_nagy@mitel.com | tiana@hipr-inc.com |
