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 New
DTR reference platforms bring together media processor, hardware and software to
speed DTR implementation.
With digital TV recorders (DTRs) firmly established as essential mainstream
consumer electronics equipment, there is growing pressure on engineers to
develop advanced PVR hardware within tight ‘time-to-market’ windows and at low
consumer price points.
Now Toshiba has taken the concept of the DTR reference design a step further
by creating a dedicated platform that combines a system-on-chip (SoC) media
processor, all of the necessary hardware and interface components, a fully
implemented software application, and a range of complementary drivers and
support tools. The result is a platform that requires relatively little
customisation to deliver a fully featured DTR design, leading to significant
reduction in component counts, development time and cost.
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Reference Board Features
- Board dimensions approx. 150 mm x 210 mm (A5 size)
- Dual-Tuner Board
- Micronas DRX3975-D front-end with Alps Twin-Tuner (Master/Slave)
TDQD1X001A
- Option-connector to connect other front end and Tuners
- Dual video and dual audio outputs via 2 Scart connectors
- General functions: SIO, up to 3 LED’s, keyboard, SP-DIF output, NOR
Flash
- Optional Hard-Disk interface for PVR
- Optional Frontpanel-Micro for 4-Digit LED-Display (TMP86C408)
- Optional USB 2.0 Full Speed Host
- Optional RS-232C interface
- Optional single slot smart card interface
- Debug and software development support
- E-JTAG and Ethernet controller interfaces via plug-in modules
- Same platform is usable for STB and PVR
- Linux OS
- Application software from Cabot Communications and OceanBlueSoftware
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Reference Board Functions
- Single or Dual-Stream Standard-Definition (SD) Decoding
- Three stream Audio-Decoding
- Audio-Postprocessing
- Dolby-ProLogic, Virtual-Dolby, SRS-True-Surround, Bass, Treble,
Balance, Volume
- Dual Common-Interface & dual Smart-Card Controller
- Powerful Graphics-Engine
- 6 Graphics & Video Planes
- Non-Linear horizontal scaling
- Diagonal Interpolator for Progressive-Scan Conversion (Option
for Progressive-Output)
- Two independent output for Video plus Graphic
- Teletext-Decoder
- IDE-Interface for PVR function
- NOR Flash support
- On-chip clock generation and recovery
- Power down, standby operation, power management (no need for
additional front-panel MCU)
- Low-cost 208 pin QFP package
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DTR Reference Platform
The diagram shows a detailed schematic of Toshiba’s ‘Amber’ reference platform
for dual-stream PVR applications. The ‘core’ board with MPEG2 Decoder system-on-chip
MPEG decoding IC, related memories, a SCART matrix IC (an on-board video routing
IC that provides dual video and dual audio outputs via two SCART connectors) and
the interface for the PVR hard disk, is based on a single easy-to-use A5 size
board (150mm x 210mm). Around that the Amber hardware comprises a dual
tuner-based front-end, power supply and front panel control. The board itself is
a four-layer PCB, although it should be noted that customers have already
realized dual-stream PVR application based on the MPEG2 Decoder as a two layer board.
Furthermore, even with tuners and demodulators it would be possible to integrate
the key functions into DIN A5 size.
TC9040yFG/XBG Block Diagram
At the heart of the reference platform hardware is Toshiba’s MPEG2 Decoder TC9040x
high-performance media processor engine. A block diagram of this IC, which is
housed in a 208pin QFP, is shown above. The MPEG2 Decoder IC combines a powerful
64-bit embedded RISC host processor with Toshiba’s Media embedded Processor (MeP)
architecture to deliver dedicated multimedia processing functionality at compute
speeds of up to 650MIPS.
The core is integrated with MeP modules that deliver the dual-stream MPEG2
video decoding functionality as well as advanced audio processing that allows
three stream audio decoding to AAC, MPEG and AC-3 standards. So, if audio
description or bi-lingual audio decoding is a required feature, the outstanding
audio processing capability of TC9040x supports this in parallel to a second
complete audio/video output to a VCR or DVD recorder. Audio post-processing
functionality includes Dolby Prologic, Virtual Dolby, SRS-True surround sound,
volume and EQ functions. A powerful graphics engine with hardware accelerator
can process six graphics and video planes and features a diagonal interpolator
for progressive scan conversion.
System Software
Of course hardware is just one aspect of a successful PVR implementation.
Software – both operating system and ‘middleware’ – will also play a vital role.
At the operating system level the Amber platform uses Linux. To ensure true
‘out-of-box’ DTR functionality, the reference platform uses a dedicated
‘middleware’ software stack is available from the DTV specialists
Cabot Communications and
Ocean Blue Software.
For the reference platform Toshiba has used Cabot Communications Aurora XT,
which has been designed and tested to address the requirements of the European
digital TV market based on European-wide DTV standards, country- and
region-specific profiles and local receiver specifications. This middleware
stack supports all European variations through language support, Electronic
Program Guides (EPGs), parental ratings, channel ordering, sub-titles and
software update mechanisms.
Further Information
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