MaxLinear and MStar Develop Reference Design for Next-Generation Ultra High Definition Smart Cable Gateway Set-Top Boxes

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LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 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, data center, metro, long-haul fiber networks, and wireless infrastructure, and MStar Semiconductor today announced a joint reference design that allows Chinese cable operators to deploy the next generation of ultra-high definition (UHD) smart cable gateway set-top boxes (STB).

The MStar gateway platform uses MaxLinear’s MxL254C Full-Spectrum CaptureTM (FSC™) cable receiver IC, which digitizes the entire cable spectrum, performs the digital tuning and demodulation of up to four cable channels reducing power consumption, complexity and cost. The MxL254C also includes a parallel transport interface to the MPEG system-on-chip (SoC) providing an additional option for the serial transport interface.

The smart gateway STB reference design enables cable operators in China, using MaxLinear’s leading FSC technology, to develop STBs with competitive features such as fast channel change, multi-screen share and remote network monitoring.

The reference platform combines MaxLinear’s MxL254C cable receiver with MStar’s 4K MSA6Z18 SoC to offer cable operators the best-in-class UHD smart STB solution in a power and cost-optimized design.

MSA6Z18 is a highly integrated, high performance UHD SoC fulfilling various CA/DRM requirement for STB application. With built-in high performance CPU, 3D GPU, VP9/HEVC decoder/encoder and full coverage of HDR technology, it provides the best complete solution for a rich features gateway.

“The reference design combines two cutting-edge products into one and giving customers a ready solution to deploy in the market efficiently,” said Wayne Tsai, Marketing Director at MStar. “The MStar/MaxLinear UHD smart cable gateway demonstrates how multi-channel contents on multi-screen with fast zapping capability could enhance user experience.”

“MaxLinear is extremely pleased to be a strategic partner to MStar to target the next-generation smart cable gateway set-top box market,” said Will Torgerson, Vice President & General Manager, MaxLinear Broadband Group. “MaxLinear’s multichannel FSC cable receiver in conjunction with MStar’s high performance audio/video decoders, provide cable operators with compelling features such as fast channel change, multi-screen share and remote network monitoring in a very low power, simple and cost-effective design.”

The joint reference design will be on display at CES 2017, January 5th – 8th 2017, in MaxLinear’s private suite at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas.

Availability

The MxL254 device is available for sampling and is in mass production. Contact the MaxLinear sales team at sales@maxlinear.com for details.

About MStar

MStar Semiconductor, Inc. (“MStar”) is a world-class leader in application specific ICs (ASIC) with a focus on consumer electronic products and communication applications. Since its inception in 2002, MStar has established a strong brand and leadership position in LCD controller, analog and digital TV and set-top box markets by fully leveraging its core expertise of cutting-edge design capabilities, continuous innovation and premier customer-focused services. Headquartered in Taiwan, MStar has a comprehensive global footprint of international R&D and customer support centers to provide a full range of total solutions for various consumer electronic applications. For more information, please visit www.mstarsemi.com.

About MaxLinear, Inc.

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, data center, metro, long-haul fiber networks, and wireless infrastructure markets. MaxLinear is headquartered in Carlsbad, California. For more information, please visit www.maxlinear.com.

MxL 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 related to the performance of MaxLinear’s MxL254C Full-Spectrum CaptureTM (FSC™) cable receiver IC. 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. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current, preliminary expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including (among others) risks relating to integration of our acquisitions of assets from Microsemi Corporation and from Broadcom; 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 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 as amended by Amendment No. 1 filed with the SEC on April 28, 2016; our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016; and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. 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, 805-494-9508
david@davidjamesagency.com
or
MaxLinear Inc. Corporate Contact
Cedric Caron, 760-517-1155
Senior Director of Marketing, Cable Video
ccaron@maxlinear.com

Source: MaxLinear Inc.

Released January 4, 2017