Middleware Product for ISDB-TB Reception in Brazil to be Released, and “Content Protection System” Support to be Added to Existing Middleware Product for ISDB-T Reception
TOKYO, Japan, March 26, 2013 — Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, today announced the development of digital TV broadcast reception middleware products for automotive SoC devices: a new ISDB-TB (Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting—Terrestrial Brazil) (One-Seg) broadcast reception middleware product for the Brazilian market and the addition of the new “content protection system” (Note 1) standard for Japan to the ISDB-T (Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting—Terrestrial) (Note 2) (Full-Seg) broadcast reception middleware product. Both products will be available starting in April 2013.
The adoption of digital television broadcasting is advancing at a rapid pace worldwide. In Brazil in particular, the ISDB-TB system, which is based on the terrestrial digital broadcasting system used in Japan (ISDB-T), has been selected, and analog TV broadcasting is scheduled to be discontinued in 2016. Major world-class sporting events such as the World Cup in 2014 in the Olympics in 2016, combined with the continued expansion of the country's economy, have led to an acceleration in the purchase of digital TVs to replace existing analog sets as well as a rise in demand for vehicle information systems incorporating digital TV functionality.
In Japan, in addition to the existing reception control system employing IC cards (B-CAS (Note 3) cards), a new reception control system: “content protection system” standard that does not utilize an IC card is standardized and adopted. The new system is scheduled to enter widespread use in April 2013, and it is expected to bring enhanced convenience alongside reduced system cost.
In 2005 Renesas was among the first to market with an ISDB-T (One-Seg) broadcast reception middleware product for mobile devices such as mobile phones and vehicle navigation systems. Since then the company has released a wide range of products centering around vehicle information systems, such as the ISDB-T (Full-Seg) broadcast reception middleware product developed in 2009. These products have achieved widespread adoption.
Now Renesas is adding to its lineup a new ISDB-TB (One-Seg) broadcast reception middleware product and an upgrade to the existing ISDB-T (Full-Seg) broadcast reception middleware product that provides extended functionality and support for the new content protection system.
Key Features of the new two middleware:
[Features of ISDB-TB (One-Seg) broadcast reception middleware]
(1) Support for the terrestrial digital TV broadcasting standard used in Brazil
Compliance with Brazil's terrestrial digital TV broadcast standard (ABNT NBR 15601-15608, established by the Brazilian Technical Standards Association) makes it possible to develop products with digital TV functionality as that nation's economy enters a phase of anticipated rapid expansion.
(2) Improved support for low signal strength conditions typical of mobile reception and enhanced measures to deal with unauthorized content
The new middleware product was developed based on Renesas' ISDB-T (One-Seg) broadcast reception middleware, which has a proven track record in mobile receiver applications in Japan. It features improved support for low signal strength conditions typical of mobile reception and enhanced measures to deal with unauthorized content, greatly reducing the possibility of malfunction.
(3) Support for two video outputs and two audio outputs to meet the requirements of vehicle information systems
In vehicles with separate displays for the front and back seats, two feeds of received video can be output simultaneously at different screen resolutions. There is also support for two audio output feeds, so different volume levels can be set for the front and back.
(4) Ultrahigh-resolution technology for high-quality reception images
An ultrahigh-resolution function with six selectable effect levels lets the user adjust the picture quality to match the broadcast content.
[Features of ISDB-T (Full-Seg) broadcast reception middleware with content protection system support]
(1) Addition of new content protection features
Support has been added for reception control functionality that complies with the content protection system (ARIB4 ARIB STD-B25 standard, part 3), which does not utilize an IC card (B-CAS card). This makes it possible to implement the existing system (which uses a B-CAS card) and the new content protection system (which does not require a B-CAS card) using a single middleware product, thereby providing customers with more flexibility in developing systems and rolling out new product versions.
(2) Support for mobile reception environments
Low signal strength reception performance has been improved to provide better support for reception environments affected by the vibrations and jolts typical of moving vehicles, allowing products such as vehicle navigation systems to deliver stable reception even while on the move.
Notes
(Note 1) Content protection system: A system for reception control of digital broadcasts defined in part 3 of the ARIB STD-B25 standard.
(Note 2) ISDB-T (Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting—Terrestrial) is the terrestrial digital broadcasting system used in Japan.
(Note 3) B-CAS stands for BS Conditional Access Systems Co., Ltd., and also refers to the cards (B-CAS cards) used in receivers to implement the associated functionality.
(Note 4) ARIB stands for Association of Radio Industries and Business, a Japanese broadcast industry group. It establishes standards covering mobile telephony and digital broadcasting in Japan.
Refer to the separate sheet for the main specifications of the new middleware.
Availability
Both of the new ISDB-TB (One-Seg) broadcast reception middleware and ISDB-T (Full-Seg) broadcast reception middleware with content protection system support will be available from April 2013. (Availability is subject to change without notice.)
(Remarks)
B-CAS is a registered trademark of BS Conditional Access Systems Co., Ltd. Other product names and service names that appear in this press release are all trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
About Renesas Electronics Corporation
Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) delivers trusted embedded design innovation with complete semiconductor solutions that enable billions of connected, intelligent devices to enhance the way people work and live. A global leader in microcontrollers, analog, power and SoC products, Renesas provides comprehensive solutions for a broad range of automotive, industrial, infrastructure, and IoT applications that help shape a limitless future. Learn more at renesas.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
The content in the press release, including, but not limited to, product prices and specifications, is based on the information as of the date indicated on the document, but may be subject to change without prior notice.