DVB-T Receiver Reference Design with the MAX3580

Abstract: The MAX3580 DVB-T reference design meets NorDig 1.0.3 and MBRAI requirements. This NIM design includes the MAX3580 direct-conversion tuner and a DVB-T demodulator/decoder. A discrete, active loop-through with low power consumption and low cost is included. Target applications include digital televisions, digital terrestrial set-tops, laptop televisions, automotive televisions, and USB peripherals.




Figure 1. DVB-T receiver reference design features the MAX3580.



Figure 2. System block diagram

Lab Measurements

Figure 3. VHF sensitivity measures better than -97dBm for QPSK modulation with Code Rate 1/2.



Figure 4. UHF sensitivity measures better than -96dBm for QPSK modulation and Code Rate 1/2



Figure 5. The adjacent channel selectivity (ACS) is better than 32dBc for N ±1 digital adjacents and better than 38.5dBc for N ±1 analog adjacents. These measurements show MBRAI compliance for category a/b1 requirements

Loop-Through Performance Parameter Conditions Measured Units Min. Typ. Max. Frequency Range   47   862 MHz Return Loss at Loop-Through Out Antenna input terminated with 75Ω 10     dB Power Gain to Loop-Through Out   -1.2   2.7 dB Noise Figure to Loop-Through Ou     4.5 5.0 dB Loop-Through Out to RF In Isolation   31     dB Loop-Through Out to Tuner In Isolation   15     dB

DVB-T Terrestrial Frequency Plan in Europe

Figure 6. The DVB-T/PAL signal is broadcast in the VHF Low, VHF High, and UHF bands as shown above. Channel spacing is 7MHz in the VHF band and 8MHz in the UHF band.

Detailed Description

The MAX3580 fully integrated, direct-conversion TV tuner is designed for digital video broadcasting-terrestrial (DVB-T) applications. The integrated tuner covers a 170MHz to 230MHz input frequency range for the VHF-III band and 470MHz to 878MHz for the UHF band.

The MAX3580 integrates an RF input switch and a multiband tracking filter, allowing low-power tuner-on-board applications without the cost and power-dissipation issues of dual-conversion tuner solutions. The zero-IF architecture eliminates the need for SAW filters by providing baseband I and Q outputs directly to the demodulator. In addition, DC-offset cancellation is implemented on-chip using a mixed-signal architecture to improve the second-order distortion performance and the dynamic range of the downstream digitizer and demodulator.

The MAX3580 communicates using a 2-wire serial bus. The device typically operates from a +3.3V power supply, dissipating 650mV. The MAX3580 is available in a small 32-pin thin QFN package (5mm x 5mm) with an exposed paddle. Electrical performance is guaranteed over extended -40°C to +85°C temperature range.