Decoder Boosts Set-Top Box Features And Performance

Pin-for-pin and software compatible with the firm's STi5510 decoder but offering increased system performance at lower system cost, the STi5512 is the latest addition to the OMEGA family of set-top box decoders. The device integrates, in a single chip, a programmable MPEG transport stream demultiplexer block, an ST20 32-bit system CPU, an audio/video MPEG-2 decoder, advanced display and graphics features, a digital video encoder, and essential system peripheral functions, including interfaces for external memory, IEEE-1394, I²C, teletext, and smart cards. Compared to the STi5510, the new chip increases the performance in set-top box applications through a 20% increase in processor speed coupled with peripheral optimizations that reduce CPU loading. At the same time, the addition of 16- and 64-Mbit SDRAM support allows manufacturers to take advantage of the latest low-cost memories. The STi5512 is housed in a 256-pin BGA package with 16 additional central ground balls.