Silicon Design Platform Lowers Power Needs Of Cable Tuners

A new silicon-design platform, called StreamCharger, claims to enable the industryÕs lowest power and most integrated downstream tuners for DOCSIS cable telephony equipment, cable modems, and digital set-top boxes. Based on advanced silicon germanium process technology, the platform is said to cut power consumption by 50% compared to current techniques and reduce tuner-module component counts from 300 to less than 30 components. The platform supports 256-QAM digital formats and operates in temperatures ranging from -40ûC to +85ûC. For further information, contact SIGE SEMICONDUCTOR INC., Ontario, Canada. (613) 820-9244.