Monolithic IC supports Bluetooth 2.1 specifications.
Press Release Summary:
Combining EDR technology and Class 1 RF transceiver in single monolithic chip, Model BCM2046 provides short-range wireless connectivity for mobile phones, notebook and desktop computers, PDAs, and wireless peripherals. Product features InConcert(TM) technology for reduced interference from Wi-Fi® products operating in same 2.4 GHz radio frequency as Bluetooth devices. It can be used for multimedia applications such as streaming music to multiple headsets or wireless speakers.
Original Press Release:
Broadcom Boosts Range and Provides Latest Bluetooth Features with Class 1 Single Chip Solution
IRVINE, Calif., May 22 -- Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ:BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced its latest Bluetooth® solution, which is the industry's first to combine Bluetooth 2.1 features, enhanced data rate (EDR) technology and a Class 1 RF transceiver in a single, monolithic chip. The new general-purpose Broadcom® Bluetooth solution supports the most advanced Bluetooth features to provide superior short-range wireless connectivity for a variety of mobile phones, notebook and desktop computers, PDAs and wireless peripherals. It is also the industry's most highly-integrated Bluetooth solution, which can reduce the external bill of materials by more than 80 percent.
"The Bluetooth market is entering the next phase of its evolution, with long-awaited enhancements to the current Bluetooth specification and tremendous advancements in the areas of range, connectivity and ease of use," said Scott Bibaud, Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom's Wireless Personal Area Networking line of business. "By integrating Class 1 radio functionality, Bluetooth 2.1 features and EDR in this device, Broadcom will enable next generation Bluetooth performance in a wider array of applications that will expose a growing consumer base to the power and convenience of wireless personal area networking."
Announced today is the Broadcom BCM2046 Bluetooth device, which supports the new Bluetooth 2.1 specifications to extend battery life, simplify pairing and enhance security. As the latest major revision to the Bluetooth specification, version 2.1 is expected to radically simplify the set-up and use of handsets and other products that incorporate Bluetooth, while improving the overall user experience. In particular, the BCM2046 implements the "Simple Pairing" and "Enhanced Inquiry Response" elements of the 2.1 specification, which were designed to address difficulties some consumers encountered when configuring Bluetooth devices.
The combination of BCM2046 silicon with Broadcom's BTW, BTE-Mobile and BTW-CE software provides OEMs with a highly flexible total technology platform that can enable a full range of Bluetooth applications. Having shipped hundreds of millions of Bluetooth products, Broadcom has developed the industry's most extensive library of Bluetooth profiles and mature software stack. This software provides the flexibility necessary to use the BCM2046 chip in a multitude of Bluetooth-enabled devices.
The BCM2046 also supports enhanced data rate technology, which is an industry-standard feature that triples wireless throughput. Bluetooth products with EDR can be used for more advanced multimedia applications, such as streaming music to multiple headsets or wireless speakers, but remain compatible with legacy devices at lower data rates.
In addition to improving throughput, the BCM2046 addresses previous limitations on the quality and range of Bluetooth links. Broadcom's Class 1 device offers unparalleled receiver sensitivity and transmitter output power to maintain Bluetooth connections at greater distances -- up to ten times farther than Class 2 solutions. Class 1 devices also use higher output power to combat interference and reduce dropped connections that result from distance and physical obstructions.
The BCM2046 offers the highest level of integration, with on-chip RF matching circuits, balun and power amplifier -- an approach that not only reduces the external bill of materials by more than 80 percent, but also simplifies the manufacturing of Bluetooth products. Broadcom's powerful radio ensures more reliable links between Bluetooth products and eliminates line-of-sight requirements for portable devices such as mobile phones and wireless headsets.
The BCM2046 also maintains connection quality with Broadcom's InConcert(TM) technology, which reduces interference from nearby Wi-Fi® products operating in the same 2.4 GHz radio frequency as Bluetooth devices. This is especially important as PC and handset manufacturers incorporate both technologies into notebooks and mobile phones to provide users with a variety of connectivity options.
Availability
The BCM2046 single-chip Bluetooth solution is now sampling to early access customers. Pricing is available upon request.
Broadcom's Bluetooth Product Family
Broadcom offers the most complete family of Bluetooth silicon and software solutions for mobile phones, PCs, wireless headphones and headsets, peripherals, gaming and other applications. Broadcom's Bluetooth solutions are widely recognized in the industry as the most widely deployed and feature rich solutions available. The world's largest manufacturers of consumer electronics, mobile phones and personal computer products rely on Broadcom Bluetooth technology to provide their customers with a unique, intuitive and feature rich user experience increasingly free of wires and cables.
About Broadcom
Broadcom Corporation is a major technology innovator and global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Broadcom products enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile environment. We provide the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art, system-on-a-chip and software solutions to manufacturers of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile devices. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything®.
Broadcom is one of the world's largest fabless semiconductor companies, with 2006 revenue of $3.67 billion, and holds over 2,000 U.S. and 800 foreign patents, more than 6,000 additional pending patent applications, and one of the broadest intellectual property portfolios addressing both wired and wireless transmission of voice, video and data.
Broadcom is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at +1.949.926.5000 or at www.broadcom.com.
Broadcom Technical Contacts
Wei Chang
Product Line Manager, Bluetooth
949-926-7264
wchang@broadcom.com
Source: Broadcom Corporation; BRCM Mobile & Wireless
Web site: www.broadcom.com/
