Bluetooth SIG Adopts 3.0 +HS as New Standard, Broadcom Combo Chip First to Qualify
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) yesterday officialy adopted the Bluetooth 3.0+HS (high speed) specification. The Bluetooth 3.0 +HS spec will allow devices that have both Bluetooth 3.0 +HS and Wi-Fi to pair via Bluetooth and transfer data via Wi-Fi at rates up to 24 Mbps, which is about 10 times faster than the previous incarnation, Bluetooth v2.1 +EDR (enhanced data rate). This will allow users to transfer large amounts of data wirelessly. The new spec also addresses power control issues to reduce battery drain.
Within 24 hours of the Bluetooth SIG adopting the new standard, leading communications semiconductor manufacturer Broadcom announced that its InConcert BCM4325 Bluetooth + Wi-Fi + FM chip and the associated BTE software have qualified as compliant with the new Bluetooth 3.0 +HS standard. While competing manufacturers have been using multiple components to implement the technology (which raises both cost and energy expenditure), Broadcom's single chip solution reduces power consumption, board space (physical space used within the device) and overall cost.
According to Craig Ochikubo, Vice President & General Manager of Broadcom's Wireless Personal Area Networking, "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... The new specification makes [Broadcom's] combo chip products even more attractive to OEMs who seek to provide their customers with the most complete wireless user experience available."
Besides the increased speed and decreased power consumption offered by 3.0 +HS, the new spec also features expanded capabilities for remote control applications featuring Unicast Connectionless Data (UCD) functionality. This makes Bluetooth technology ideal for consumer electronics' remote control applications. Additionally, a new Read Encryption Key Size feature enhances communications security for Bluetooth applications.
Though Broadcom demonstrated its high speed Bluetooth technology at this year's International Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas, their is no word on when it will be commercially available. The Bluetooth SIG believes Bluetooth 3.0+HS-enabled devices will be on the market in 9 to 12 months. The new spec will be backward compatible with Bluetooth 2.1+EDR devices.
[via Phonescoop and Broadcom]
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