ALPS Developed TEQ Series of Compact Analog Tuners and TMQ Series of Compact Analog Tuner Units with Built-in IF+MPX; Thinner Units for LCD and Plasma Televisions
TOKYO--May 14, 2003--ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan: Masataka Kataoka, President) has developed two new tuners for use in thin televisions such as LCD and plasma TVs. The TEQ Series is a compact analog tuner that is 50% smaller than ALPS' previous products. The TMQ Series is 60% smaller, and integrates in a single unit an analog tuner with an IF (intermediate frequency) unit compatible with MPX (sound multiplex broadcasting). The first commercial samples of both series will be shipped from September 2003.Television is making the transition from the familiar cathode-ray tube to new set types such as LCD and plasma. The Japanese market especially is expected to grow quickly. More than 630,000 LCD televisions were produced in Japan in 2002, with a projected 1.6 million units in 2004 and 3.1 million by 2007. More than 190,000 plasma TVs were produced in 2002, with a projected 550,000 units in 2004 and 1.2 million by 2007. (Source: JEITA) The main appeal of LCD and plasma televisions is their thinness, and that they require less space, which has in turn stimulated demand for thinner, more compact tuners to incorporate in them.
These two new series were developed to answer the need for thinner, more compact tuners. All components, including resistors, condensers and coils, have been made smaller, while the mixer, oscillator and PLL circuitry have been compacted into a single package in a fully custom IC, made possible by ALPS' high-density mounting technology. The dimensions of the TEQ Series tuners are 55.0mm (W) x 25.6mm (D) x 16.0mm (H), with a cubic content of 22.5ml. The TMQ Series tuner units measure 55.0mm (W) x 44.5 mm (D) x 12.5mm (H), with a cubic content of 30.5ml, and are the smallest tuner units in the industry to incorporate an ordinary antenna terminal.(1)
(1) There is currently a need for notebook computers and even mobile
telephones to receive analog broadcasts, but the size of ordinary
antenna terminals (F connectors) has been a bottleneck to making
them more compact. For this reason, F connectors are not used in
tuners for mobile devices.
Both of these series, in addition to being more compact, also offer greater functionality. By using a custom IC, designed using ALPS' RF technologies, the noise figure has been lowered approximately 1.5dB compared to our previous products, while the gain has been increased approximately 3.0dB. As a result, compared to our previous products, stable reception is possible even when the signal is weak.
Both series are lead free, having been designed with greater consideration for the global environment.
In addition, the TMQ Series incorporates sound multiplex demodulation circuitry in the IF circuit component, compatible with the sound multiplex broadcasting systems in Japan and the U.S. This helps make for a more efficient design.
Principal Applications
Color televisions, LCD televisions, plasma televisions, projection
televisions, DVD recorders
Sales Plan (both products)
Sample shipments: September 2003
Sample price: TEQ Series 3,000 yen
TMQ Series 6,000 yen
Planned monthly production: 2 million units (March 2004)
Development site: Soma Plant, Communication Devices
Division (Soma City, Fukushima
Prefecture)
Production site: China (Shanghai), Korea, Malaysia,
Czech Republic
Specifications
TEQ Series U.S.A. Europe Japan
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VHF Low: ch2 B VHF Low: chE2 S6 VHF Low:ch1 C22
Receiving Channel High: chC W+11 High: chS7 S36 High: ch4 C52
UHF: chW+12 69 UHF: S37 69 UHF: chC53 62
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Intermediate
Frequency VIF: 45.75MHZ VIF: 38.9MHZ VIF: 58.75MHZ
SIF: 41.25MHZ SIF: 33.4MHZ SIF: 54.25MHZ
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Input ANT IN 75 ohm(Unbalanced)
Impedance
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Output IF OUT 75 ohm(Unbalanced)
Impedance
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Dimensions 55.0mm x 25.6mm x16.0mm (WxDxH)
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TMQ Series U.S.A. Europe Japan
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VHF Low: ch2 B VHF Low: chE2 S6 VHF Low: ch1 C22
Receiving Channel High: chC W+11 High:chS7 S36 High: ch4 C52
UHF: chW+12 69 UHF: S37 69 UHF: chC53 62
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Intermediate
Frequency VIF: 45.75MHZ VIF: 38.9MHZ VIF: 58.75MHZ
SIF: 41.25MHZ SIF: 33.4MHZ SIF: 54.25MHZ
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Input ANT IN 75 ohm (Unbalanced)
Impedance
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IF OUT 75 ohm (Unbalanced)
Output ---------------------------------------------------------
Impedance Video Out 1Vp-p/1Kohm Term.
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Audio Out -15dBs/100Kohm Term.
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Dimensions 55.0mm x 44.5mm x 12.5mm (WxDxH)
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(2) A photo of this product can be downloaded from the Company web
site at (http://www.alps.co.jp/e/press/new2003/0514_e.htm)
Outline of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd.
Since its establishment in 1948 ALPS has grown as a comprehensive manufacturer of electronic components. At present ALPS is creating innovative high-value-added products in its main business segments -- Components, Magnetic Devices, Communications, Peripheral Products, and Automotive Electronics -- which are contributing to the advance of a digital society.
ALPS is a global company that carries out its operations with 23 production bases in 8 countries as well as 54 sales bases in 13 countries. Consolidated net sales in the year ended March 31, 2003 amounted to 601,816 million yen.