Designed to address the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) digital-to-analog converter box program, the BCM3543 from Broadcom Corp. is a turn-key, digital television-on-chip with associated software. The NTIA program is intended to help extend the life of existing analog televisions by providing US residents with coupons to defray the cost of converter boxes when the FCC requires broadcasters to switch to digital broadcasts. Employing 65-nm process technology, the BCM3543 features on-chip support to convert all ATSC standard and high-definition inputs to 480i-outputs. Features include a channel 3 or 4 rf output, EIA/CEA-909 smart antenna support, and keypad and remote-control support.

Compatible with the company’s indoor ATSC antenna, the chip’s antenna requires a single cable interface, eliminating outdoor installations. Other features include an 8/16-VSB digital terrestrial receiver, EIA/CEA 909-compliant smart antenna controller, ATSC-compliant, all-format MP at HL MPEG-2 video decoder, Dolby Digital and MPEG audio decoder, video scaling, picture-enhancement processor, 200-MHz MIPS32 CPU, and a 32-bit, 200-MHz DDR-DRAM controller. The BCM3543 ATSC is sampling now with pricing available upon request. For more information, go to www.broadcom.com/press/release.php?id=1041878.