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Digital TV Transition Faces Threat of Interference from LTE Networks, According to New Whitepaper

September 25, 2013
  • TV Tuners Need Good LTE Protection Ratio To Prevent Interference; Whitepaper Demonstrates How LTE Bands Adjacent to Digital TV Bands Can Create Signal Disruptions

A new whitepaper from MaxLinear Inc. (NYSE: MXL), a leading provider of integrated radio frequency (RF) and mixed-signal integrated circuits for broadband communications applications, provides an in-depth look at the issue of television signal interference caused by proximity to 4G LTE signals, as countries around the world shut off analog terrestrial TV services and switch to all digital transmission.
When digital television frequency bands are adjacent to LTE bands, as is the case with the 700 MHz and 800MHz LTE frequency bands, there is a high likelihood that LTE signals can interfere with television signals. Digital TVs and set-top boxes must have sufficient interference rejection capabilities in the tuner, or additional signal filtering to eliminate the problem. Some countries that have recently deployed LTE services are finding that the cost can be up to $500 per home to fix the problem retroactively.
The whitepaper, entitled LTE Interference on Digital TV in Brazil, (which can be downloaded from the MaxLinear website) is a result of the collaboration between Dr. Glenn Chang, Cofounder and Senior Director of Technical Marketing at MaxLinear and Prof. Dr. Gunnar Bedicks, Chief Researcher at Mackenzie Presbyterian University’s DTV Laboratory in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Their study measured LTE interference in five use cases that involved indoor/outdoor digital TV antennas in the presence or absence of a booster (amplifier). Four of the use cases were for single-family homes, and the fifth was for a multi-dwelling unit scenario.
Critical receiver performance parameters were taken into consideration, including sensitivity, maximum signal strength and receiver linearity. The paper discusses possible mitigation techniques, such as those offered by MaxLinear, which can result in robust receiver performance even in the presence of a harsh LTE interferer.
“Countries moving from analog to digital television coverage are discovering that LTE signals can interfere with digital TV reception,” said Brian Sprague, MaxLinear Vice President and General Manager, Broadband and Consumer Products. “MaxLinear has developed advanced tuner technology that can mitigate this interference, allowing digital TV and STB OEMs to provide a higher quality picture that keeps customers happy.”
About MaxLinear, Inc.
MaxLinear, Inc. is a leading provider of radio-frequency and mixed-signal semiconductor solutions for broadband communications applications. MaxLinear is located in Carlsbad, California, and its address on the Internet is www.maxlinear.com.
MxL, Full-Spectrum Capture, FSC and the MaxLinear logo are trademarks of MaxLinear, Inc. Other trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.
Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements concerning or implying future financial performance or trends and growth opportunities affecting MaxLinear, in particular statements relating to the performance of MaxLinear’s tuner technology in the presence of LTE interference. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We cannot predict whether or to what extent that we will realize revenues from our product offerings. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current, preliminary expectations and are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including (among others) intense competition in our industry; the ability of our customers to cancel or reduce orders; uncertainties concerning how end user markets for our products will develop; our lack of long-term supply contracts and dependence on limited sources of supply; potential decreases in average selling prices for our products; and on-going intellectual property litigation related to our hybrid television tuner products. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, investors should review the risks and uncertainties contained in MaxLinear’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including risks and uncertainties identified in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. MaxLinear is providing this information as of the date of this release and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.