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Bluetooth 2.0 + Brings Speed Boost

9 November 2004 by axxxr
Three-year plan includes enhancements to bluetooth performance, security, power consumption and usability

Bluetooth Special Interest Group Launches Bluetooth Core Specification Version 2.0 + Enhanced Data Rate

New Specification Improves Usability through Smoother Multi-Device Scenarios, Faster File Transfers and Longer Battery Life

Overland Park, KS – Nov. 8, 2004 – The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the adoption of Bluetooth Core Specification Version 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate). Increased data rates – up to three times current levels – and lower power consumption will improve the Bluetooth user experience when running multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously and transferring large data files, as well as enabling longer battery life in mobile devices.

The new specification provides improved facilities to use several functions or devices simultaneously and transfer large data files, due to more available bandwidth. The lower power consumption will enable a new generation of Bluetooth devices to last up to twice the current operating time. Version 2.0 + EDR is backwards compatible with all previous specifications.

“The motivation behind 2.0 + EDR was to improve existing usage scenarios which require increased data throughput, like streaming CD-quality audio, digital image transfer and laser printing,” said Dr. Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. “Now manufacturers can update to the latest Bluetooth specification to fit the demands of consumers for their particular product – and the user will get a better Bluetooth experience.”

The main features of Bluetooth Core Specification Version 2.0 + EDR are:
• 3 times faster transmission speed (up to 10 times in certain cases)
• Lower power consumption through reduced duty cycle
• Simplification of multi-link scenarios due to more available bandwidth
• Backwards compatible to earlier versions
• Further improved BER (Bit Error Rate) performance

The Bluetooth SIG expects products based upon the specification to be available in 2005. Products from the PC industry are expected to be the first on the market with the new specification, followed by devices for audio and imaging use cases.

New Specification Adoption Process
To better assist manufacturers in deploying the technology in real products, the SIG established a new policy for finalizing specifications requiring three interoperable prototypes to be demonstrated at Bluetooth SIG test events before a new specification is adopted. By following this new robust procedure, the Bluetooth SIG expects to virtually eliminate the risk for interoperability issues in early devices built on new versions of Bluetooth specifications.

Industry Support
Broadcom, CSR, and RF Micro Devices all tested 2.0 + EDR prototypes. Chips with the new specification are available immediately from Broadcom and CSR, and in Q1 2005 from RF Micro Devices.

“Broadcom is committed to supporting new iterations of Bluetooth technology and is pleased to bring the BCM2045 single chip solution to market. The powerful combination of the new EDR specification and our 0.13u implementation will help drive new Bluetooth applications like A/V while providing significant power savings for mobile devices,” said Scott Bibaud, director of Bluetooth marketing, Broadcom.

“CSR was eager to participate in the prototyping phase for EDR hosted by the Bluetooth SIG. As a result of this thorough testing we are confident that our BlueCore4 chips featuring all the optional and mandatory features in the new enhanced data rate specification will meet the requirements from OEMs who are queuing up for the faster chips,” said Glenn Collingson, sales director and co-founder, CSR.

“We expect broad adoption of Bluetooth 2.0 technology with enhanced data rate across multiple markets, including our primary market of cellular handsets, which is the world’s largest consumer electronics market. With its small size, low power consumption and low Bill of Materials (BOM) cost, our recently announced SiW4000 Bluetooth solution, based on Bluetooth Version 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate , specifically targets the high-volume 2.5G and 3G cellular handset market,” said Frank Morese, vice president of the wireless connectivity business unit, RF Micro Devices (Nasdaq: RFMD).

About the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG)
Bluetooth wireless technology is revolutionizing personal connectivity by providing freedom from wired connections. It is a specification for a small-form factor, low-cost radio solution providing links between mobile computers, mobile phones, other portable handheld devices and automobiles, as well as connectivity to the Internet. The Bluetooth SIG, comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, automotive and consumer electronics industries, is driving development of the technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes Promoter member companies Agere, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, and thousands of Associate and Adopter member companies. The Bluetooth SIG, Inc. headquarters are located in Overland Park, Kansas, U.S.A. For more information, please visit www.bluetooth.com.


Tags: bluetooth



Comments
On 12 May 14:21 JoyGuglielmino wrote
Can I purchase one of the new Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR chips for my G5 iMac? Can it be installed with the hardware on the machine? Thanks

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