Summary

NxtWave Communications introduced the NXT2000, a multimode VSB/QAM receiver chip delivering error-free indoor and mobile reception of broadcast digital signals for DTVs, PCs, and set-top boxes. The ATSC-compliant chip overcomes multipath interference, supports 8VSB and QAM cable modes, and was priced at $22 in volume quantities.

Source document circa 1999 preserved as-is

August 24, 1999


NxtWave Communicationsí Breakthrough Receiver Chip Makes Mobile and Indoor Reception of Broadcast Digital Television Possible

NXT2000 Provides Increased Performance and Reduces Costs through On-Chip Advanced Blind Adaptive Equalization


Newtown, PA, -- August 24, 1999 ñ NxtWave Communications Inc., (nxtwavecomm.com) a developer of broadband communications integrated circuits (ICs), today introduced the first multimode VSB/QAM receiver chip that delivers error-free indoor and mobile reception of broadcast digital signals to digital televisions (DTVs), PCs and digital set-top boxes. Designated the NXT2000, the physical layer (PHY) device overcomes static and dynamic multipath interference typical in broadcast transmissions and provides the highest reliability and performance available.
ìWith the NXT2000 weíve cracked the code for indoor and mobile reception, shown that VSB is a robust and commercially viable standard, and paved the way for mass market deployment of error-free digital TV,î said Matt Miller, president and CEO of NxtWave Communications Inc.
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The high-performance, multimode integrated circuit is Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) compliant and performs in either 8VSB mode for terrestrial broadcasting or in 64 QAM, 256 QAM or 16VSB modes for cable TV. The exceptional performance of the NXT2000 cancels transmission channel impairments such as static and dynamic multipath, phase noise, adjacent or co-channel NTSC interference and impulse noise. It also greatly exceeds the performance demonstrated by the Grand Alliance reference system at the Advanced Television Test Center (ATTC). In addition to reliable reception, the device has important features for consumers. Such features include a built in signal quality indicator to ease antenna alignment and an ultra-fast signal acquisition (50 milliseconds or less) that allows rapid channel surfing capability, which to date, has not been possible with other digital receivers.

"We designed a completely new equalizer architecture that not only overcomes the severe impairments in broadcast channels, but also provides shorter acquisition times and reduces silicon cost. These features enable us to eliminate any barriers surrounding large-scale deployment of digital transmission for both terrestrial broadcast and cable applications. It is one of those rare cases in which increased performance and cost reduction come hand in hand," according to Mike Neshat, vice president, marketing and sales for NxtWave Communications Inc.

The on-chip carrier recovery of the NXT2000 together with the advanced equalization scheme provides robust and dependable demodulation even when the VSB pilot is destroyed due to severe channel conditions. The equalizer range extends from -4.5 usec to 44.5 usec, ensuring reliable signal recovery in the harshest multipath conditions typical of terrestrial broadcast channels. The NXT2000 decodes 8 VSB terrestrial and cable signals such as SCTE DVS-031, ITU-J.83B, and MCNS DOCSIS-compliant 64/256 QAM. Other features include a ìdirect IF samplingî integrated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and integrated FEC that greatly reduces the bill-of-materials (BOM) cost for set-top box and DTV manufacturers. The internal A/D converter also accepts a "low IF" input signal to enable integration into existing set-top box and DTV chassis designs. The programmable symbol rate allows for different VSB/QAM modes without requiring any VCXOs to drive the A/D converter.

The NXT2000 achieves power savings by operating the internal core at 2.5V and the I/O ring at 3.3V to enable seamless interconnection with existing ICs. Packaged in a 100-pin thin quad flat pack (TQFP), samples of the device currently are available; production quantities are scheduled for Q4í99. The price of the NXT2000 is $22.00 each in 10,000 unit quantities.


About NxtWave Communications Inc.

NxtWave Communications Inc. develops broadband communications integrated circuits (ICs) for use in multiple mass markets. Using efficient and robust modulation and demodulation techniques, the Companyís IC solutions satisfy the requirements of manufacturers of cable modems, interactive set-top boxes, digital TVs and PC video products. NxtWave Communications leverages proprietary algorithms in its receiver implementations of industry standard transmission formats including QAM, VSB, QPSK and NTSC. NxtWave Communications is headquartered in Newtown, Pennsylvania with worldwide marketing and sales headquartered in Irvine, California. For additional information visit nxtwavecomm.com.

6 Penns Trail . Newtown, PA 18940 .
215.579.1305




Copyright 1999

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