The Industry's First 4-Input / 4-Output Switch Matrix IC
for Satellite Broadcast TV Antennas

LAPIS Semiconductor Co., Ltd., a ROHM Group Company, has recently developed a 4-input/4-output switch matrix IC designed for satellite broadcast antennas.
The ML7405 is the first IC to feature a universal quad satellite broadcasting reception^*2 circuit that connects two conventional 4-input/2-output switch ICs in parallel on a single chip.
The optimized, integrated design improves performance while enabling increased miniaturization and is expected to spur demand for satellite broadcast receivers.

Commonly used in areas such as Europe and South America, ‘universal’ satellite broadcast antennas are designed to receive four different frequencies and polarized waves from satellites. Typical models feature 1, 2, or 4 outputs. However, there is a growing demand for 4-output types, since at least four outputs are required receive or record four satellite broadcasts at the same time. This type of universal ‘quad-satellite’ broadcast antenna is expected to spread to North America, India, Middle East or Africa, where broadcast satellites will be launched in the near future.

Previously, two conventional 4-input/2-output switch ICs were connected in parallel in order to support universal quad-satellite broadcast antennas featuring 4 outputs. But this can become problematic in high-frequency circuits since board layout and component wiring can have a significant effect on performance and characteristics, and mounting two switch ICs requires longer circuit wiring – possibly resulting in larger signal loss and crosstalk^*3 (due to coupling between wires). Until now, this inherent drawback presented a major obstacle to widespread adoption of universal quad-satellite broadcast antennas.