Fairchild Semiconductor Introduces the Industry's Most Highly Integrated Standard Definition, Precision Video Filter/Driver for Set-Top Boxes and Personal Video Recorders; FMS6406 Integrates a Sound Notch and Eliminates Dozens of Discrete Devices.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Fairchild Semiconductor's (NYSE:FCS) FMS6406 is the industry's most highly integrated standard definition, low-pass reconstruction video filter/driver. This device features an integrated sound notch and output drivers that meet the latest cable and satellite set-top box performance requirements of 170 ns group delay predistortion. The FMS6406 compensates for the inherent distortion in the TV receiver by including a group delay and chroma-luma delay FCC predistortion circuit that prevents the image's high-frequency edges from appearing distorted on the TV screen. The notch filter creates a window in the video signal at approximately 4.5 MHz to eliminate interference between the audio and video before these signals are combined in the channel 3 / 4 RF modulator.

"Fairchild's highly integrated video filter reduces board space by 30% to 40% by effectively replacing discrete reconstruction filters, an external sound notch and group delay compensation circuits and cable drivers, while increasing system reliability in set-top box and personal video recorder (PVR) applications. This integration translates into significant board savings," says Jeremy Tole, Fairchild's technical marketing manager, Video Products. "The FMS6406 answers a pressing need in the set-top box and PVR market by providing a highly efficient and inherently low-cost system solution."

Fairchild's FMS6406, a 5th order video filter, eliminates unwanted digital artifacts by significantly reducing the clock and image frequencies after the digital-to-analog conversion process occurs on an MPEG chip. This video filter/driver is also capable of DC coupling on the outputs to improve the low-frequency video, while at the same time eliminating the need for three large capacitors.

Typical designs for set-top boxes offer both S-video and composite-video outputs. Fairchild's FMS6406 offers separate chrominance and luminance outputs to directly drive the S-video output. These outputs are also internally summed to form a composite video signal. The composite- and S-video outputs provide a fixed gain of 6 dB and offer the flexibility of either AC or DC coupling.

Key features include:

--Dual 5th order 7.6 MHz low-pass filters eliminate unwanted digital artifacts;

--RF modulator support -- Integrated equalizer and sound notch filter for driving the RF modulator;

--4.5 MHz sound trap removes video noise in the spectral location of the subsequent FM audio carrier;

--170 ns group delay / chroma-luma delay predistortion for NTSC applications (as required for broadcast transmitters by the FCC) compensates for the inherent receiver IF filter's group delay distortion;

--AC-coupled inputs and a DC restoration circuit for low tilt;

--The inputs are Y/C and include a Y sync tip clamp and chroma blanking clamp;

--The filtered outputs are Y/C and CV with 50 dB stopband attenuation at 27 MHz and better than 0.5 dB flatness to 4.2 MHz;

--All outputs are capable of driving 2 Vpp, AC- or DC-coupled, into either a single or dual 75 Ohm video load; and

--Internal chroma-luma summing circuit for driving composite video outputs.

The FMS6406 is offered in a space-saving 8-pin SOIC package. This product is lead (Pb)-free and meets or exceeds the requirements of the joint IPC/JEDEC standard J-STD-020B and is compliant with European Union requirements now in effect.

Price:        (1,000 pcs) -- FMS6406CS (rail) and FMS6406CSX (tape
              reel) both US$1.69

Availability: Now

Delivery:     12-16 weeks ARO

For more information about this product, please go to http://www.fairchildsemi.com/pf/FM/FMS6406.html. For information on other Fairchild products, design tools, and sales contacts, please visit http://www.fairchildsemi.com.

Editor's Note: A datasheet of this product in .pdf format can be found at http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/FM/FMS6406.pdf

About Fairchild Semiconductor:

Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE:FCS) is the leading global supplier of high-performance power products critical to today's leading electronic applications in the computing, communications, consumer, industrial and automotive segments. As The Power Franchise(R), Fairchild offers the industry's broadest portfolio of components that optimize system power through minimization, conversion, management and distribution functions. Fairchild's 9,000 employees design, manufacture and market power, analog & mixed signal, interface, logic, and optoelectronics products from its headquarters in South Portland, Maine, USA and numerous locations around the world. Please contact us on the web at www.fairchildsemi.com.