STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader across the spectrum of electronics applications, and Euteslat Communications, one of the leading satellite operators, have announced the release of a new-generation chip. The low-power, low-cost system-on-chip is going to power Eutelsat’s SmartLNB interactive terminal.

 

The STiD337 represents a huge step in the overall cost of interactive satellite terminals with upgrading service, low costs and significantly reduced power consumption. It makes use of very low-power 28nm FD-soi (Fully Depleted Silicon on Insulator) process technology that allows deep sleep and auto wake up for the system. Owing to the maximum 3.5 power dissipation at full speed and less than 50mW during sleep, the STiD337 is claimed to be the most power-efficient device. 

 

“Working closely with Eutelsat, we’ve developed the lowest-cost, lowest-power, secure, and most advanced interactive satellite-modem SoC to date,” said Jocelyne Garnier, Group VP, General Manager, Aerospace, Defense, and Legacy Division, STMicroelectronics. “From the outset we knew we could bring innovations to the market that played to many of the strengths we have in ST, especially in digital satellite systems, our system-on-chip experience, our low-power technologies, and of course, our security IP.”

 

The new SoC can be availed in both secure and standard versions, whereby the former contains pre-loaded encryption keys, serial numbers, safe-boot, and many other features to increase the level of protection of data-delivering and gathering operations by the SmartLNB. As far as the availability is concerned, the STiD337 is available now while the full production is scheduled for May 2017.