MaxLinear’s Satellite CSS Chipset Powers World’s First Reconfigurable Digital LNB From ProBrand

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  • ProBrand International introduces patent pending, next-generation satellite digital channel stacking LNB based on industry-leading MxL801 Ku-band down-conversion RF IC and MxL862 channel-stacking SoC

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 its OEM partner ProBrand International has started volume production shipments of the next-generation digital channel stacking low-noise block downconverter (LNB) based on the industry-leading MxL801 Ku-band satellite down-conversion RF IC and MxL862 channel-stacking system on chip (SoC).

This LNB was first announced in January 2015 at CES and has now launched on the market, highlighting a key milestone for both companies.

The turnkey nature of the MxL801 and MxL862 devices, coupled with MaxLinear’s integrated software stack including the EN50494/EN50607 standard protocols, and ProBrand’s innovative, compact design enabled ProBrand to complete the patent pending, low-cost product in a record short period of time and without any compromises to quality.

The new LNB can be configured in either static mode, delivering a fixed number of channels, or in dynamic mode, which enables channels to be added or removed, or in hybrid mode. In hybrid mode, operators can choose to configure the LNB with a fixed number of channels as well as having some of the channels dynamically allocated. As operators expand their transponder capacity, the hybrid LNB can be easily reconfigured to accommodate new channel line-ups.

In addition, the software supports concurrent operation of multiple control protocols, providing complete flexibility to operators for seamlessly deploying advanced multi-channel set-top boxes and media servers while ensuring coexistence with legacy receivers connected to the same coax cable.

The MxL801 RF IC is the industry’s first monolithic Ku-band down-converter implemented in digital CMOS. The single-chip solution enabled ProBrand to replace dozens of discrete components, including the image reject filter, thus improving system reliability and eliminating the need for performance tuning in production.

The digital PLL-based implementation allows operators to achieve channel drift performance of +/-0.5MHz, compared to +/- 2MHz for a traditional DRO-based implementation, resulting in higher usable bandwidth per channel without incurring additional costs.

The MxL862 is a field-proven, market-leading, digital channel-stacking SoC optimized for single-feed satellite platforms. Based on MaxLinear’s ultra-low power Full-Spectrum Capture™ technology, the MxL862 integrates a bank of programmable channel select filters enabling a stacked output of more than 32 channels.

“MaxLinear has been a great partner in helping ProBrand to develop digital LNBs with differentiated features that add real value to satellite operators, setting a new benchmark for performance and cost,” said Jim Crownover, ProBrand Chief Executive Officer. “Their ability to keep pace with our time to market is also a very critical benefit to working with MaxLinear because it enables us to be responsive to our customers who are actively migrating to digital channel stacking.”

“PBI has been able to combine high-performance RF engineering with MaxLinear’s pioneering turnkey channel stacking solutions,” said Yves Rasse, Senior Product Line Director for Satellite and Terrestrial TV. “The reconfigurable nature of PBI’s new universal digital LNB is unprecedented and gives operators a new ability to cost effectively deploy multi-channel services.”

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 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 ProBrand International Inc.

ProBrand International is a leading designer and developer of advanced antenna and RF systems for the satellite and telecommunications (wireless) sectors. ProBrand serves the leading North and South American DBS operators along with having aggressive expansion plans to the rest of the world, and has extensive expertise in related verticals such as very small aperture terminals (VSATs). Through its in-house engineering design team combined with advanced R&D labs, state-of-the-art indoor compact antenna and feed ranges, and leading edge manufacturing facilities, ProBrand offers shortened time to market and a complete end-to-end solution.

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, including statements relating to the performance and opportunities related to MaxLinear’s MxL801 Ku-band down converter and MxL862 digital channel stacking SoC. 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 the selection of the MxL801 and MxL862 for PBI’s next-generation digital-ODU. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current, preliminary expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including (among others) integration risks arising from our recent acquisition of Entropic Communications, Inc.; intense competition in our industry; the ability of our customers 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 intellectual property litigation; 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 our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by Amendment No. 1, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 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:
Yves Rasse, +1 760-692-0711
Senior Director, Consumer Product Line
yrasse@maxlinear.com

Source: MaxLinear Inc.

Released July 22, 2015