Smart TV Remote Control Based on CSR µEnergy® Platform Debuts at IBC 2012

CSR and SMK to demonstrate Smart TV Remote Control – advanced, cutting-edge functionality, with ultra-low power consumption enabling “batteries for life” operation

7 Sep 2012

IBC 2012, AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS

CSR plc (LSE: CSR; NASDAQ: CSRE) today said that CSR and SMK, a global leader in remote control solutions, will together demonstrate Bluetooth Smart® enabled advanced remote control functionality based on the CSR1001™ device, a single-mode Bluetooth® low energy solution, and the CSR8510™ A10 device, a dual-mode Bluetooth solution optimised for human interface devices (HID). New remote control functions and capabilities – like those to be demonstrated using a prototype Smart TV remote control unit – are needed to meet existing and future consumer demand for services and features and to get the most out of next-generation Smart TVs and set-top boxes.

The impressive array of remote control functions and capabilities to be demonstrated on the SMK booth (Hall 1, Stand 1.F11) at the IBC 2012 exhibition will include pointing gesture recognition, low-latency voice command, and device-to-remote “back channel” communication. Furthermore, the Bluetooth Smart enabled remote control unit is up to six times more energy efficient than designs based classic Bluetooth and greatly extends battery life.

“The kinds of interfaces, capabilities and interoperability consumers are demanding have created the need for a robust, standards-based RF technology, and Bluetooth Smart is perfectly positioned to meet this need,” said Anthony Murray, Business Group SVP of CSR. “CSR’s µEnergy platform for Bluetooth Smart provides advanced remote control functionality that facilitates interactions with a range of other devices around the home – smartphones, tablets, and so on – with far less latency and at a fraction of the power consumption of older RF technologies. In addition, Bluetooth Smart eliminates the need for line-of-sight operation imposed on the user by traditional infrared remotes.”

“Our work with CSR has shown that the CSR µEnergy platform is an excellent foundation for the advanced remote control functions that SMK can build,” said Patrick Delanoeije, Vice President of SMK Europe. “The demonstrations we are doing today provide further proof that Bluetooth Smart is an excellent RF remote technology, offering improvements in responsiveness, user experience and power consumption while building on the existing Bluetooth ecosystem.”

To arrange to see a demonstration of these Bluetooth Smart enabled advanced remote control functions, please visit the SMK booth at IBC 2012 (Hall 1, Stand 1.F11).

CSR µEnergy Platform for Remote Controls

The Bluetooth 4.0 standard introduced low energy technology to the Bluetooth wireless connectivity specification, enabling new Bluetooth Smart devices that can operate for years on the same set of batteries. The CSR µEnergy platform for Bluetooth Smart uses the recently adopted HID Over GATT Profile (HOGP) in the Bluetooth 4.0 standard to enable TV and set-top box control functions without compromising the ease-of use and extreme responsiveness needed in a consumer remote control unit. HOGP allows and defines the communication between a BluetoothSmart device and a host device, such as that between a remote control unit and a Smart TV, set-top box or tablet.

Further optimization can be made on the host device side with the CSR8510 A10 device. The CSR8510 A10 can operate in either “HID proxy” mode or HCI mode. For example, a Smart TV can enter “deep sleep” mode and remain indefinitely in that same mode until a “wake up” signal is received from the CSR8510 A10 in HID proxy mode. Once received, the Smart TV will awaken, the CSR8510 A10 will switch to full HCI mode and be ready to access all the Bluetooth features implemented in the host software stack – from audio streaming to data sharing.

The CSR µEnergy platform provides everything required to create a Bluetooth Smart product, with RF, baseband, microcontroller, qualified Bluetooth 4.0 stack and customer application running on a single chip. The CSR µEnergy platform is available in two chip variants: the CSR1001™ chip is optimised for remote control units and wireless keyboards with dedicated hardware for keypad scanning, while the CSR1000™ offers a smaller package for fitness products, watches, mice and other sensors.

About SMK

SMK’s global leadership in the design, development and manufacture of remote control solutions uniquely positions the company to help its customers develop innovative digital media applications and advanced digital television and entertainment services. SMK maintains a dominant worldwide position in the supply of remote controls, producing greater than 70 million units annually, and has strongly invested in the market of devices supporting rich media, interactive and advanced TV features. For additional information, visit www.smkeurope.com

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About CSR

CSR is a global provider of innovative silicon and software solutions for the location-aware, media-rich, cloud-connected world. Our platforms are optimised for the automotive navigation and infotainment, digital cameras and imaging, connected home infotainment and wireless audio markets. We provide solutions to complex problems in the audio-visual, connectivity and location technology domains across a broad range of markets, with a technology portfolio that includes GPS/GNSS systems, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, FM, NFC, aptX® and CVC™ audio codecs, JPEG, MPEG, H.264 imaging, PDL printing, microcontrollers, DSPs and broadband receivers. CSR's technology solutions and market platforms enable its customers to deliver a superior user experience and are adopted by leaders in the auto, computer, home and mobile markets. More information can be found at www.csr.com. Keep up to date with CSR on our technical blog or CSR people blog, YouTube, Facebook or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CSR_plc.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements (including statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or performance, or assumptions related thereto) that are not historical facts and constitute ‘forward looking statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in relation to CSR1001, CSR8510 A10, and other CSR technology and solutions, and their performance characteristics in Bluetooth Smart® enabled products and other consumer electronic products, and other future events and their potential effects on CSR. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as ’will,’ ‘can deliver,’ offers', 'allows', 'to enhance,’ ‘enables,’ 'designed to’ and other similar expressions regarding the performance characteristics of CSR1001, CSR8510 A10, and other CSR technology and solutions, and their performance characteristics in consumer electronics products, and their potential effects on CSR. Any future release of CSR1001, CSR8510 A10, and other CSR technology and solutions or consumer electronics products containing such technology, related products or modifications to such products’ capability, functionality or features are subject to ongoing evaluation by CSR and its customers, and may or may not be implemented and should not be considered firm commitments by CSR or its customers and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. Such forward-looking statements represent the current expectations and beliefs of management of CSR, and are based upon numerous assumptions regarding CSR’s business strategies and the environment in which CSR will operate and therefore involve a number of known and unknown risks, contingencies, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of CSR, including, but not limited to, those detailed from time to time in CSR’s periodic reports (whether under the caption Risk Factors or Forward Looking Statements or elsewhere), which are available at the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov. Each forward looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof. CSR does not undertake to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein, otherwise than required by law.
Bluetooth® and the Bluetooth logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and licensed to CSR.
Wi-Fi® is a trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Other products, services and names used in this document may have been trademarked by their respective owners.