Hamburg, Germany — Sharp Microelectronics Europe is expanding its product portfolio of Network Interfaced Module (NIM) tuners for the digital reception of High-Definition TV via satellite with a particularly low-power version. The DVB-S2 NIM tuner, designated BS2F7HZ0167, requires a low power input of, typically, around 1.5 W, which is a good 50 per cent below the power consumption of its predecessor (BS2F7HZ0164).

This new addition to the DVB-S2 tuner family has an identical casing to the existing DVB-S2 NIM tuner and is, consequently, completely mechanically-compatible. Further, the BS2F7HZ0167 covers the typical satellite reception frequency range of between 950 and 2150 MHz and is suitable for the reception of HDTV signals using the DVB-S2 standard as well as for standard DVB-S signals.

Noise figure (NF) is a mere 6 dB (typically) and the phase noise is only around -80dBc/Hz (typically) at 10 kHz offset. When it comes to signal input sensitivity, dynamics and definition, the DVB-S2 NIM tuner performs at well above average levels.

The tuner's NIM demodulator is fitted with the latest chip from ST Microelectronics — the STV0903. This provides 8PSK/QPSK demodulation and delivers a digital 8-bit data-stream for further signal processing.

With the models BS2S7VZ0604 and BS2S7HZ0604 the company also makes the DVB-S2 tuner available as a pure RF frontend for upright or flat-lying mounting. These frontends also have the same degree of high-quality reception characteristics as the newly introduced DVB-S2 tuners. These RF-only tuners are based on the company's proprietary RF IC technology.

For further information visit www.sharpsme.com.