Broadcom Launches First Integrated Universal Satellite Receiver Chip to Support DVB, DSS and Primestar Satellite Systems.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 1998--

Integrated Features Significantly Reduce System Design Costs

Broadcom Corp. (Nasdaq:BRCM) Monday announced the satellite broadcast industry's first integrated universal satellite receiver chip that supports DVB, DSS(R), and Primestar(R) satellite systems.

Designated the BCM4201 Universal Satellite Receiver, Broadcom's integrated single-chip solution allows satellite receiver manufacturers for the first time to cost effectively design a satellite Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) that supports all digital transmission standards worldwide.

The BCM4201 is a highly integrated, digital transmission solution for digital satellite IRDs. It is the first satellite receiver chip to support 480 MHz input signals, enabling users to design systems with lower cost 480 MHz output tuners. It incorporates a 2-90 Mbps variable BPSK/QPSK/OQPSK receiver, dual 8-bit A/D converters, a phase/frequency recovery block, variable rate digital filters, square root Nyquist matched filters, acquisition and tracking loops, and a DVB/DSS/Primestar compliant FEC decoder onto a single chip.

The BCM4201 produces an MPEG-2 or DSS compliant transport stream in either serial or parallel format. This feature-rich device enables the same IRD design to be used for all digital satellite applications.

The BCM4201 is the first integrated digital transmission solution to have an on chip DVB/DSS/Primestar compliant FEC decoder. This universal solution allows the device to address the entire digital broadcast satellite (DBS) market. The chip supports the DVB digital transmission standard for satellite broadcasting, the DSS digital transmission standard used by DIRECTV(R) licensees, and Primestar ITU-R 217/11 digital transmission standard.

With its ability to demodulate variable data rates up to 90 Mbps (45 Mbaud), the BCM4201 permits the same satellite IRD to adapt to various satellite transponders in Europe, North America, and Asia. Because of its integrated 8-bit A/Ds, the chip can also operate down to 1 Mbaud with excellent adjacent channel rejection characteristics, which allows the chip to be used in single channel per carrier (SCPC) applications.

"The BCM4201 is an ideal solution for manufacturers that want to reduce their system cost by leveraging the 480 MHz input mode and develop one receiver that supports all digital satellite applications," said Peter LaRocca, Broadcom's Product Line manager, Satellite Products.

"When using the BCM4201, manufacturers can design one receiver to support one standard or multiple standards. This design flexibility not only reduces the IRD manufacturer's development and manufacturing costs but also the satellite operator's costs, which carries over to a cost savings to the subscriber."

The BCM4201 is also the first satellite receiver chip to have a direct 480 MHz IF input mode. The chip accepts an analog baseband or IF modulated (up to 480 MHz) signal and transmits a demodulated error corrected MPEG-2/DSS transport data stream. This front-end capability reduces the number of components needed in the tuner, which significantly decreases the system design costs.

The BCM4201 is the second-generation satellite receiver chip from Broadcom. It incorporates several new features. The chip's integrated dual 8-bit A/D converters and digital filters increase adjacent channel rejection, which improves the overall performance of the receiver. These A/D converters also significantly reduce system manufacturing costs and complexities.

Additional circuitry has been added to the BCM4201 to improve tuner phase noise tracking and minimize cycle slips at very low signal-to-noise ratios. An automatic false frequency lock detection circuit has been added to the device to minimize CPU overhead and reduce acquisition time.

BCM4201 is packaged in an 80-pin PQFP. Samples of the BCM4201 are available today. The BCM4201 is priced at $9.50 each in quantities of 10,000.

Broadcom is a leading developer of highly integrated silicon solutions which enable broadband digital data transmission to the home and within the business enterprise. Using proprietary technologies and advanced design methodologies, the company has designed and developed integrated circuits for some of the most significant broadband communications markets, including the markets for cable set-top terminals, cable modems, high-speed networking products, digital broadcast satellite and terrestrial digital broadcast, and digital subscriber line (xDSL).

Broadcom is based in Irvine and can be reached at 714/450-8700 or at http://www.broadcom.com. -0-

This release may contain forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties that could affect Broadcom's actual future results. For further information, refer to the company's filings from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

DSS(R) and DIRECTV(R) are registered trademarks of DIRECTV Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp. Primestar(R) is a registered trademark of Primestar Inc.

CONTACT: Broadcom Corp., Irvine

Laura Brandlin

[e-mail]

Peter LaRocca

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949/450-8700

or

Catherine Batchelor

760/944-8933

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