MaxLinear’s Turnkey Satellite Channel Stacking Solution Selected By Unitron for New D-ODU

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  • Belgium-based LNB leader adopts highly integrated MxL801 Ku-band down-converter and MxL862 digital channel-stacking SoC for high-channel density, reduced power and lowest complexity D-ODU solutions

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MaxLinear Inc. (NYSE: MXL), a leading provider of integrated radio frequency (RF) and mixed-signal integrated circuits for broadband communications applications, today announced that Unitron Group (Belgium) has selected its MxL801 dual-polarity Ku-band satellite down-conversion RF IC, and the MxL862 32-channel, Full-Spectrum Capture™ (FSC™) channel-stacking system on chip (SoC) for a new direct-broadcast satellite digital outdoor unit (D-ODU).

The MxL801 Ku-band RF IC is the industry’s first fully integrated monolithic Ku-band down-converter implemented in pure digital CMOS. It is designed to exceed strict RF performance requirements of satellite operators. The MxL801 replaces dozens of discrete components including the image reject filter by integrating all critical functions into a single chip.

The digital PLL based implementation delivers improved system reliability and increased channel accuracy and eliminates the need for performance tuning in production.

The MxL862 is a field-proven, market-leading, digital channel-stacking SoC optimized for single-feed satellite platforms and supports up to 4.1GHz of aggregate RF capture bandwidth. Based on MaxLinear’s ultra-low power Full-Spectrum Capture technology, the MxL862 integrates a bank of programmable digital channel select filters enabling a stacked output of more than 32 channels. Control and diagnostic features are available through standardized DiSEqC and FSK interfaces. An embedded microcontroller provides autonomous operation with a high degree of configurability.

The powerful combination of MxL801 and MxL862 enables Unitron to achieve the industry’s highest level of integration, best-in-class performance, lowest power and smallest form factor digital ODU. MaxLinear’s standard software stack includes EN50494/EN50607 and a comprehensive list of operator-specific protocols, as well as dish alignment and test features for a truly turnkey solution.

The highly integrated nature of the design, coupled with software configurability, results in a highly optimized satellite platform delivering in excess of 32 channels in a static configuration enabling Unitron to address a wide variety of satellite operator requirements.

“We set out to develop a channel-stacking LNB that would meet different needs of our satellite operator customers around the world, and the technology we have from MaxLinear allowed us to do that cost-effectively and with low power,” said Joris Goemaere, Technical Commercial Director for Unitron. “We have a long history of working with MaxLinear and its cutting-edge technology has always given us the performance and features that help us position ourselves against our competition.”

“To increase their competitiveness and satisfy customer demand, satellite operators are delivering more channels over a single cable and that is driving a real growth in the adoption of channel-stacking technology by LNB manufacturers,” said Yves Rasse, Senior Director, Consumer Product Line. “Unitron has been at the forefront of this market evolution, delivering advanced satellite equipment, and this new reconfigurable LNB is a great example of that commitment.”

MxL801 and MxL862 Technical Details

The MxL801 RF IC is part of the MxL80x product family of dual Ku-band down-conversion RF ICs. The devices feature dual Ku-band radio-frequency inputs (10.7 GHz to 12.75 GHz) and dual wideband IF outputs (200 MHz to 2350 MHz) to dramatically simplify the LNB front-end design.

The MxL862 is part of the MxL86x product family of 24-channel digital stacking SoCs. The MxL862 is optimized for single-feed LNB applications. The SoC provides a flexible and very cost-effective, digital channel-stacking system solution, including the EN50494 and EN50607 standard protocol software for single-cable distribution. The device can also be configured in universal L-band switch mode for backward compatibility with legacy STBs and with dish alignment measurement equipment typically used by installers.

About Unitron Group

Unitron Group is an international group of companies, offering state-of-the-art headend technologies and digital TV accessories, for providing TV distribution to multi-dwelling and residential buildings. Unitron's solutions are available to many original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers and TV operators, under their own brand-names. Installers and customers have access to our 'Johansson' branded products via a worldwide network of distributors.

About MaxLinear, Inc.

MaxLinear, Inc. is a provider of integrated, radio frequency, and mixed-signal integrated circuits for broadband communications and data center, metro, and long-haul transport network applications. MaxLinear is headquartered in Carlsbad, California. For more information, please visit www.maxlinear.com.

MxL, Full-Spectrum Capture, FSC and the MaxLinear logo are trademarks of MaxLinear, Inc. Other trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements concerning or implying future financial performance or trends and growth opportunities affecting MaxLinear, in particular statements relating to Unitron’s selection of MaxLinear’s MxL801 dual-polarity Ku-band satellite down-conversion RF IC and the MxL862 32-channel FSC channel-stacking SoC, and future market adoption of channel-stacking technology. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We cannot predict whether or to what extent we will realize revenues from Unitron’s selection of MxL801 and MxL862. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current, preliminary expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including (among others) intense competition in our industry; the ability of our customers, including Unitron, to cancel or reduce orders; uncertainties concerning how end user markets for our products will develop; our lack of long-term supply contracts and dependence on limited sources of supply; potential decreases in average selling prices for our products; currently pending litigation against us by a third party with the United States International Trade Commission and in the United States District Court in Delaware; and the potential for additional intellectual property litigation, which is prevalent in our industry. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, investors should review the risks and uncertainties contained in MaxLinear’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including risks and uncertainties identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2015, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. MaxLinear is providing this information as of the date of this release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

MaxLinear Inc. Press Contact:
The David James Agency LLC
David Rodewald
+1 805-494-9508
david@davidjamesagency.com
or
MaxLinear Inc. Corporate Contact:
MaxLinear Inc.
Yves Rasse
Senior Director, Consumer Product Line
+1 760-692-0711
yrasse@maxlinear.com

Source: MaxLinear Inc.

Released June 9, 2015