MaxLinear Powers World’s First Single-Board Digital Channel-Stacking LNB Developed by ProBrand International

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  • ProBrand selects MaxLinear’s monolithic Ku-to-L-band converter IC and low-power digital channel-stacking IC to enable a complete digital ODU on a single low-cost printed circuit board

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- (International Consumer Electronics Show) -- MaxLinear Inc. (NYSE: MXL), a leading provider of radio frequency (RF) and mixed-signal integrated circuits for cable and satellite broadband communications, the connected home, and for data center, metro, and long-haul fiber networks, today announced that it will showcase at CES a digital channel stacking low-noise block downconverter (LNB), designed by ProBrand International, that is completely implemented on a single printed circuit board (PCB).

Today’s digital channel stacking LNBs are comprised of two separate printed circuit boards, a design that results in higher cost, larger footprint and more complex manufacturing. The patent-pending ProBrand single-board LNB design overcomes these challenges by leveraging the high level of integration and superior performance of MaxLinear satellite ODU devices.

In a typical LNB design, the RF board includes the Ku-to-L-band converter and is historically based on a large number of discrete microwave RF components and filters, which require expensive PCB dielectric material and manual tuning during manufacturing to achieve performance specifications. The digital channel-stacking stage is most commonly implemented on a separate low-cost circuit board.

MaxLinear’s MxL80x Ku-to-L-band monolithic converter IC provides a digitally controlled and alignment-free design, eliminating the need for expensive PCB material, resulting in approximately 40 percent reduction of board space and a 400 percent improvement in signal drift and accuracy.

Complete Digital LNB Solution Readiness

The combination of the MxL80x and the MxL86x Full-Spectrum Capture™ (FSC™) channel-stacking ICs are designed to operate as a complete system for ultra-compact, single-feed digital LNB designs.

MaxLinear also provides a comprehensive EN50494/EN50607 software protocol stack for a truly turnkey hardware and software solution supporting up to 32 user bands. The highly integrated nature of the design, coupled with software configurability, provides a uniquely flexible solution to address a wide variety of satellite operator requirements.

“MaxLinear’s digital channel-stacking chipset enables us to provide a truly innovative LNB solution for global operators,” said Jim Crownover, CEO of ProBrand International. “Our patent-pending single-board implementation of the entire digital channel stacking LNB enables unrivaled size, power and performance benefits at a highly competitive cost.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to showcase the real-world benefits of our Ku-to-IF digital channel stacking chipset inside of ProBrand’s LNB,” said Will Torgerson, MaxLinear Vice President & General Manager of Broadband Group and Global Sales. “MaxLinear’s commitment to innovation will continue to enable STBs and other systems that allow single-cable distribution of multi-channel programming.”

MxL80x and MxL86x Technical Details

The MxL80x RF IC is part of a 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 MxL86x product family of digital stacking SoCs is optimized for single-feed LNB applications. 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 American, South American, and European 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. (NYSE:MXL) is a global provider of integrated, radio frequency, and mixed-signal integrated circuits and SoCs. The company is a pioneer in multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) technology and its products serve broadband communications and infrastructure industries, including cable TV, satellite TV, data center, metro, and long-haul optical 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 MxL80x RF IC and MxL86x product family of digital stacking SoCs. 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 use of the MxL80x and MxL86x by ProBrand. 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, including ProBrand, 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 September 30, 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:
David Rodewald
The David James Agency LLC
Tel: +1 805-494-9508
david@davidjamesagency.com
or
MaxLinear Inc. Corporate Contact:
Yves Rasse
Senior Product Line Director for Satellite and Terrestrial TV
Tel: +1 760-692-0711
yrasse@maxlinear.com

Source: MaxLinear Inc.

Released January 5, 2016