Development of New lineup of SoCs for Set-Top Box Market, Supporting 3D Broadcasts and Internet-Based Content
Renesas Electronics has announced the release of a new SoC (System-on-Chip) for set-top-boxes (STBs). The new EMMA™3SE/P supports video standards that are in use for digital television broadcasts worldwide as well as multitude of video formats that are required to play the internet based content. The new SoC is capable of integrating in a single chip all the functions that required for receiving digital broadcasts, including the ability to decode (decompress) digital video and audio signals and picture adjustment capabilities. At the same time Renesas is releasing another SoC, the EMMAA3SL2/LP, supporting standard definition (SD) broadcasts.
The EMMA3SE/P comes with advanced process node as well as optimized pin count, supporting digital broadcast and H.264 HD decoding. Developed based on 40nm process and 16-bit DDR3 memory interface to reduce the pin count by about one-third compared with earlier model. The small package of this SoC measuring only 17 mm x 17 mm makes it easier for system manufacturer to design more compact STB products while reducing the overall system cost by using a smaller printed circuit board (PCB). Furthermore, both SoCs, the EMMA3SE/P and EMMAA3SL2/LP have the same pin configuration, providing a easy path for developing HD and SD products based on a common hardware platform. The SoCs also comes with enhanced security features in preventing unauthorized reception in recognition for the importance of copyright protection. Sample of new SoCs will be available in July of 2011, with mass production to commence in second half of 2011 reaching a monthly volume of 1 million units.
