Maxim's High-Density QAM Modulator Chipset Enables the Next-Generation Connected Home Experience

Maxim Integrated Products announces a new high-density, wideband, scalable QAM modulator chipset: the MAX5880 digital upconverter (DUC) and MAX5882 RF digital-to-analog converter (RF DAC). The MAX5880/MAX5882 delivers up to 32 times more broadband cable capacity per RF port compared to a conventional analog upconverter, and saves up to 93% in power dissipation per QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) channel. The QAM modulator chipset performance exceeds Cable Labs® DOCSIS® 3.0 RF specifications. This highly integrated and scalable solution gives cable service providers the bandwidth for tomorrow's cable services while reducing CAPEX and OPEX today. A single RF port enabled by the MAX5880/MAX5882 chipset replaces multiple QAM modulator boxes needed to deliver broadcast TV, high-speed data and VoIP triple-play services, as well as video-on-demand, switched digital video, and future interactive IPTV in the home. The MAX5880 DUC interfaces seamlessly with the MAX5882, 14-bit 4.6Gsps RF DAC. The QAM modulator chipset synthesizes up to 128 QAM channels across the entire 50MHz to 1GHz downstream cable spectrum. Cable service providers can now deliver all their broadband content on a single RF port for an entire cable service group. The MAX5880 DUC is a scalable and software upgradeable solution that allows cable service providers to add future capacity without modifying existing hardware. The industry-leading MAX5882 RF DAC provides the conversion speed and dynamic performance necessary for wideband modulation that exceeds the stringent DOCSIS 3.0 RF requirements. Consumers' bandwidth demand drives QAM channel and RF port growth

• Consumers want additional triple-play services, such as video-on-demand, high-speed downloads, and interactive IPTV.
• Consumer bandwidth demand for broadband cable services increases 40% annually.
• Cable operators need scalable capacity in their networks to reduce the expense of supplying triple-play services in the near term and to meet the growing bandwidth demand in the long term.
• Jeff Heynen, Directing Analyst at Infonetics, reports, "Data consumption will continue to increase 40% to 50% annually. This will require even more downstream and upstream capacity than previously anticipated to maintain comfortable utilization levels.
• One thing is certain, each physical RF port, whether on a CMTS or edge QAM, is going to support exponentially more QAM channels than current generation platforms. This evolution is going to keep port demand among MSOs high for at least the next five years"

• The MAX5880 DUC and MAX5882 RF DAC fit in two 17mm x 17mm packages.
• A high-speed data-converter evaluation (EV) platform and EV kits are available to evaluate the MAX5880 DUC/MAX5882 RF DAC chipset. A reference design and development platform is also available.
• The MAX5880/MAX5882 QAM modulator chipset is fully released and in production. Contact the factory for pricing.