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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.
The Bluetooth word mark and logo are registered trademarks and are owned by the
Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
Press Contact:
Starr Million
INK Public Relations
(512) 228-2842
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