Sharp has developed the VA3C5CZ933, a mobile TV tuner module that supports CMMB (China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting, one of the mobile digital broadcasting standard developed in China) and features the industry’s smallest package size (9.0 x 9.0 x 1.7 mm).

China’s efforts to provide digital mobile broadcast services intensified in anticipation of the Beijing Olympics, and broadcasts under the CMMB system, a standard advanced by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), began in 37 cities in July 2008, prior to holding the Olympic Games. By the end of this year, SARFT plans to expand CMMB network coverage to more than 300 additional cities.

This new tuner module takes full advantage of the high-density surface-mount technology that evolved out of Sharp’s experience in developing tuner modules for One-Seg, Japan’s terrestrial digital broadcast format. This new device features the industry’s smallest package size plus industry-leading energy efficiency, with a power consumption of just 93 mW. It works in UHF band, between 470 and 798 MHz. It is being offered as a key device that will contribute to making mobile equipment more compact with higher levels of performance, particularly personal navigation devices (PND) and mobile TVs capable of receiving mobile broadcasts under the CMMB system.

The device is intended for mobile equipment in the Chinese market, with mass production slated to begin in December 2008. The samples will be available in the 30th of October 2008, for 20,000 yen or 196 USD (including tax). The monthly production capacity will be 500,000 units.