Microtune just let us know about a new family of single-chip broadband tuners called the MicroTuner MT2040 series, which the company says shrinks the tuner from the size of a dime to the size of a thumbtack (interesting metaphor). The MT2040 reduces the chip's size and power by more than 40% compared to its previous Microtune tuners and is integrated into a 56-pin MFL form factor. It draws 1 1/2 watts and can be integrated into many DOCSIS- and EuroDOCSIS-certified cable modems. Microtune says the MT2040 series works with all demodulators, including those of Broadcom, Conexant, LSI Logic, Texas Instruments and STMicroelectronics. The company is also offering a MicroTuner MT2040 RF reference design to help OEMs come up with products based on the chip. In addition, the MT2040 tuner is integrated into a complete cable modem reference design developed in cooperation with STMicroelectronics. The joint design combines Microtune's RF front-end chips and ST's back-end chips and software. The MT2040 tuner is available now and is priced at $7.00 in quantities of 10,000.