14 DAY TRIAL // Just recently, Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) has announced the next iteration of the short-range Bluetooth technology dubbed Bluetooth 3.0. The new solution is expected to become commercially available on various devices in the next 9 to 12 months. Following the much anticipated release, member companies, including Broadcom, Atheros and CSR, have also announced their latest products, providing the connectivity support that is enabled by the new standard. These new solutions are targeted at various devices ranging from handhelds to computer systems.
“The new Bluetooth v3.0 + HS specification is a welcome step in the continuing evolution of Bluetooth technology, adding industry approved techniques for leveraging the high data rates of Wi-Fi with the ease of use, low-power and utility that Bluetooth wireless technology is recognized for," said Craig Ochikubo, vice president & general manager of Broadcom's Wireless Personal Area Networking line of business. "The new specification makes our combo chip products even more attractive to OEMs who seek to provide their customers with the most complete wireless user experience available.”
According to Broadcom, its latest chip and software combo has been designed to meet the specifications of the Bluetooth v3.0 + HS, providing a 24Mbps turbo boost to Bluetooth. The company's new BCM4325 802.11 b/g combo chip is ready to power some of the upcoming devices that will boast Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and FM Radion inside a single chip solution. Also, this is one of the first industry solutions that comply with the new Bluetooth specifications.
Another company that has also announced its product support for Bluetooth 3.0 specifications is Atheros, with its AR3011 chip designed for PC implementations, host stack, and 802.11 a/g/n solutions. According to the manufacturer, customers will be able to integrate the new solution into products that could roll out by early 2010.
In addition to Broadcom and Atheros, CSR has also announced that its Synergy wireless software solution has been qualified for the new Bluetooth v3.0 standard. The application is designed to collaborate with the company's CSR9000 product, which offers support for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and FM Radio.
“CSR has always worked very closely with us in establishing the future of Bluetooth standards," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. "CSR continues to stay abreast of the latest developments in Bluetooth, and has constantly demonstrated an ability to develop this versatile and useful technology in interesting new directions. Synergy is a highly innovative piece of systems software and we're delighted to be able to qualify it as one of the first Bluetooth v3.0 products.”