Philips Semiconductors delivers broadcast TV data solution; Vertical blanking interval data acquisition chip to enable content delivery via PC and set-top boxes

Business Wire, June 19, 1997

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 1997--Philips Semiconductors Inc. today announced the SAA5284 -- a unique video data acquisition chip that greatly simplifies the recovery of vertical blanking interval (VBI) data from standard broadcast TV signals.

VBI data from a TV signal can be used to deliver a wide range of content through multimedia PCs and set-top boxes, and the SAA5284 is also compatible with Intel's revolutionary Intercast(TM) technology that will enable transmission of World Wide Web pages alongside TV programming, allowing viewers to instantly access related information via an Internet connection. In addition to recovering VBI data, the SAA5284 also captures the full-field (FF) data transmitted on subscription-based TV channels.

The SAA5284 has an input multiplexer for two analog composite-video baseband signal (CVBS) sources, the selected input being digitized on-chip so that all signal filtering, clock recovery and data slicing can be performed entirely in the digital domain.

Full programmability makes the SAA5284 a true multi-standard device, capable of decoding all known VBI formats including 525- and 625-line Teletext, Intercast(TM), wide-screen signalling, video programming system (VPS), closed captioning and PDC data broadcast standards. For accurate data recovery, the entire demodulation process has been optimized to eliminate the common types of distortion found in broadcast TV signals.

"Over 20 years experience in world-wide Teletext decoding has enabled us to make the SAA5284 a true multi-standard solution that eliminates virtually all of the processor overhead currently needed for VBI and FF data recovery," commented Paul Martin, Philips Semiconductors' product marketing manager for video data acquisition products.

Packet filtering normally performed in software is performed on-chip in the SAA5284. This significantly reduces host processor overhead and allows this unique data acquisition chip to be used with low-cost microcontrollers as well as with high-performance CPUs. Packet data is buffered in on-chip RAM and output via an 8-bit parallel port that is compatible with both Intel and Motorola style processors. This port also has a "video" mode which allows the host to access packet data over the same bus that carries YUV digital video data, making the SAA5284 an ideal companion IC for Philips Semiconductors' desk-top-video chip sets.

To produce a complete ISA-bus video data acquisition card the SAA5284 requires little more than the addition of an address decoding chip. Used in conjunction with Philips Semiconductors' SAA7146 PCI-bus bridge IC it provides a 2-chip solution fo PCI-bus video data acquisition cards. In set-top box applications the SAA5284 can optionally be controlled via the I(2)C-bus.

Recognizing that software is as important as hardware in shortening its customers' time-to-market, Philips Semiconductors has developed both link layer (DLL) and register-level (VxD) driver software modules for the SAA5284. These modules, which are available under license, allow designers to develop products for a wide range of data broadcasting applications without the need for specialist Teletext or VBI knowledge.

The SAA5284 is a 5-volt device packaged in a 44-lead quad flat pack that is optimized for good EMC performance.

Philips Semiconductors Inc., a subsidiary of Philips Electronics North America and an affiliate of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video and mobile technology positions the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by regional customer applications labs. Additional information on Philips Semiconductors can be found on the home page at www.semiconductors.philips.com or by calling 1-800-447-1500 Ext. 1392.

CONTACT: Philips Semiconductors

Jodi Guilbault, 408/991-2332

Jodi.Guilbault@sv.sc.philips.com

or

Miller/Shandwick Technologies

Bill Freed/Sharon Zovod, 415/962-9550

bfreed@miller.shandwick.com