TBS has designed two small DVB-S2X/S2/S tuner cards with the TBS7230 M.2 module and TBS7901 mini PCIe module designed to easily add DTB support to a desktop PC or even a single board computer with the right interfaces.
Both models are based on a Lattice Semi LFE3-17EA-6FTN256C FPGA and Montage LZ M88RS6060 single-chip DVB-S2X/S2/S receiver with a tuner, a demodulator, and an LNB controller, but as I understand it, the mPCIe module relies on a USB PCIe (see comments section) interface, while the M.2 module features a PCIe interface and you can even install more than one in a PC through a PCIe card for NVMe drives.
TBS7901 specifications:
- Host interface – Mini PCIe edge connector
- Tuner
- DVB-S2X/S2/S
- DVB-S2
- QPSK – 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
- 8PSK – 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
- 16APSK – 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
- 32APSK – 3/4, 4/5, 5/6, 8/9, 9/10
- DVB-S2X (QPSK only)
- 1/4,1/3, 2/5 (S2-MODCODs)
- 1/2, 3/5, 2/3, 3/4, 4/5, 5/6
- 8/9, 9/10 (S2-MODCODs)
The M.2 module specifications are similar, but the company apparently also offers a variant with DVB-T2/C2/T/C (J.83A/B/C), ISDB-T/C, and/or ATSC1.0, and the DVB-S2X/S2 model I receive is not listed on that specific page.
In theory, having a tiny module to add DTV to a computer or SBC looks like a good idea, but there are some caveats, as each kit includes the module itself and an antenna connector, but also a TBS-7901PW power board and SATA power cable…
I was told DVB-S/S2/S2X satellite TV requires 13V and 18V, so that’s not optional, meaning a PC power supply or something small like a PicoPSU is required even when installed on a single board computer. I’ve installed the board in the Radxa ROCK 5B SBC’s M.2 PCIe socket as shown below, but I can’t use it for two reasons, the first one being I don’t have a spare PC power supply in my current location, and more importantly, the company only officially provides Windows drivers for now…
So I guess it might work in an x86 SBC running Windows like the LattePanda 3 Delta or the Youyeetoo X1 provided you use the eMMC flash for the OS. While writing this post, I noticed some Linux drivers on GitHub and a video showing the TBS7901 card working with DVBlast in a terminal window. The company appears to be interested in collaborating with SBC vendors for an Arm Linux port, but I’m not sure many will be interested considering the 13V/18V requirements that make it inconvenient for most boards.
So at this time, the TBS7230 M.2 module and TBS7901 mini PCIe module are mostly interesting for standard PC with a PSU and at least a spare M.2 or mPCIe socket. Typical applications include data reception, IPTV streaming, media monitoring, and digital content distribution. The video below shows how the mini PCIe DVB-S2X/S2 module can be installed in a PC.
Both the M.2 and mini PCIe modules can be purchased on the TBS IPTV store for $119.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Both form factors are apparently PCIe x1, as can be determined by the 3 differential pairs for RX/TX/REFCLK.
The power supply board seems to be a dedicated switch mode boost converter for LNB power supply, there are several (e.g. from MPS, ST, …) which generate the needed selectable 13/18V from a 8..14V supply. Rated power is about 10W (500mA @ 18V + losses). If you don’t have 9V or 12V, you can use a cheap 1A@12V boost converter. Modern LNBs need 100…200mA, i.e. significantly less than the maximum of 500mA.
The wiggly extra HF trace is interesting, might be for the 22kHz signal required for band selection and DISEqC signaling.
Well, I don’t know how this particular board is working, but in theory, you can do without 13V/18V, if you use quattro LNB, wire this thing to one output (H/V and L/H) and tune only to what is available there without any switching of H/V (which those voltages are exactly for).
In your case, just try to tune to whatever you see in either of those 4 subdivisions and you might get lucky.
Please do nether uses these bords without adding a 1A fast fuse on the 12V yellow wire because there are no security and they burn very fast with big flames ! I have had this issue last week and it’s by chance I have still a house today. So this manifacturer is very dangerous you are now warned.
NETHER USE THIS PRODUCT WITHOUT ADDING A FUSE !