Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 21, 2002

Oren Semiconductor today introduced the OR51122, OR51132 and OR51102 digital TV demodulation ICs, based on a new design known as "Cascade."

These ICs are designed on the company's proprietary DSP core, now manufactured in 0.18-micron process technology.

Digital broadcast content and consumer electronics capable of high-definition display are rolling out today at an accelerated pace, largely due to the acceptance of DVD and PVR technologies. Digital TV signals can reach viewers via local broadcast, cable or satellite systems. Consumers that want access to more than one service need different front-end components for each.

8-VSB demodulation is required for reception of local digital broadcasts in the U.S., whether standard-definition (SDTV) or high-definition (HDTV), in accordance with the ATSC standard. QAM is required for digital cable. NTSC is still used for analog TV broadcasts, and occurs in combination with most digital TV receivers available. Oren's Cascade architecture allows for any combination of 8-VSB, QAM and NTSC.

Targeting U.S. and South Korean applications, the OR51122 is a complete second-generation 8-VSB demodulation solution with integrated BTSC stereo decoder and NTSC video demodulation, and will support ClearCast(TM) ghost cancellation in the near future. The OR51132 adds QAM demodulation compliant with ITU-T j.83 Annex B. For applications that do not require 8-VSB, the OR51102 offers QAM and NTSC processing.

Oren has also increased cooperative development with a number of tuner providers to develop and promote complete front-end products.

For example, Oren's unique DSP technology has been adopted in a recently developed Sony TV Tuner Demodulation Module. TeraLogic Inc., recently acquired by Oak Technology, has selected the integrated module from Sony as the front-end for its next-generation STB/DTV development platforms.

"This tuner from Sony integrates the RF and analog sections very well, thus letting us focus on the digital design -- a real benefit when quality and time-to-market are considered," said Jon Castor, chief executive officer of TeraLogic. "We can offer our customers a reference solution unmatched in value."

In similar efforts, Oren has engaged with other discrete and silicon tuner suppliers to develop design-friendly integrated front-end solutions to increase availability and options for digital TV manufacturers. This level of integration is critical in today's increasingly competitive DTV environment. By integrating analog and digital front-end processing, Oren offers its customers a unique competitive advantage.

According to Ron Niv, Oren's vice president of marketing and sales, "Our integrated tuner-demodulator partnerships allow us to achieve time-to-market and performance superiority while maintaining a high degree of flexibility with our target customers. Oren's tuner partners bring a variety of technologies and opportunities that we can use to our advantage worldwide."

Oren's products provide multi-standard demodulation and allow upgrades even after home deployment, ensuring future-proof performance. ClearCast multi-path elimination technology for the NTSC video output leverages DSP technology during analog processing and further differentiates the Cascade IC from other solutions currently on the market.

Recently the FCC moved to mandate digital receivers in nearly all televisions by 2007. "While digital broadcast is here to stay, the transition from analog to digital broadcasting is complex," continued Niv. "Flexibility will be key, and competition and innovation over the next few years will help drive down costs while increasing performance."

Hiroyuki Uchida, general manager, SONY Strategic Venture Investment Department, said, "Oren will bring a solution to the growing complexity of the worldwide TV market."

The OR51102, OR51122, and OR51132 are available in mass production now, and will be competitively priced. Next year, Oren will release solutions for DVB-T, DVB-C, and PAL/SECAM applications. For more detailed information, contact the company's US sales office at 408/330-0300 or sales@oren.com.

Oren Semiconductor is a leading supplier of state-of-the-art demodulator ICs for the consumer electronics industry. Its patented DSP-based ICs are used in analog and digital televisions, video recorders, set-top boxes and PC/TV convergence products. Oren sells its technologically advanced devices to global consumer electronics brands. Oren devices are found in consumer products sold by JVC, Mitsubishi and Hughes Network Systems. Founded in 1994, Oren Semiconductor is a privately held fabless IC manufacturer, with operations in Silicon Valley and Israel. Additional information on the company can be found on its website at www.oren.com.

ClearCast(TM) is trademarked by Oren Semiconductor Inc. Oren's trademarks may be used publicly with permission only from Oren.