Overview
- Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) compliant for both 2Mbps and 3Mbps modulation modes
- Single-chip solution integrating radio, baseband, microcontroller
- External Flash memory interface (8Mbits)
- Bluetooth® v2.0+EDR system (v2.1 upgradeable)
- Full speed Bluetooth operation with full Piconet support
- Scatternet support
- Extended SCO (eSCO) support
- 1.8V core, 1.8 to 3.6V I/O
- Low power 1.8V operation (integrated 1.8V regulator)
- Minimum external components
- USB and dual UART ports
- Support for 802.11 coexistence
- 8x8 or 6x6mm VFBGA packaging
Overview
CSR's BlueCore™4-Ext device implements the Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) Bluetooth® specification, allowing it to deliver data rates that are 3-times faster than current v1.2 Bluetooth devices. This increased transfer rate also means that, for a given amount of data, the radio will be active up to 3 times less than a v1.2 radio, reducing power consumption. BlueCore4 is also fully backwards-compatible with existing Bluetooth v1.1 and v1.2 devices.
BlueCore4-Ext provides a highly-economic single-chip Bluetooth solution for developers integrating a radio, baseband and onchip RISC microcontroller. It offers an external interface for up to 8Mbits Flash memory for application flexibility.
These features make the device ideal for lower-volume applications, general development and prototyping, and any markets that demand the ability to upgrade quickly. A version with integral mask-ROM and HCI (or optionally RFCOMM) Bluetooth stack is also available for volume applications such as mobile phones and PDAs.
Applications
- As mobile phones/smart phones (and PDAs) integrate higher resolution digital cameras, transferring the image files becomes time consuming - EDR Bluetooth means that a 1Mb image download, which currently takes about 12 seconds, will now only take 4 seconds.
- As 'one phone' converged cordless phone (using Bluetooth) and cellular phones (using 2.5 or 3G) with a single telephone number become popular, the higher speed Bluetooth radio connection from the cordless home or business access point will allow for the simultaneous transfer of more data whilst the telephone call is being placed over the fixed line infrastructure.
- PCs will increasingly be asked to support multiple Bluetooth links as users type on a Bluetooth keyboard and move a Bluetooth mouse while listening to music on a set of Bluetooth stereo headphones and synchronising contact details with their phone or using the phone as a modem to connect to an email or internet service.
- Bluetooth has previously been restricted to application in ink-jet printers but EDR will enable data to be transmitted at speeds suitable for laser printers.
- EDR will also open up Bluetooth to potentially wider applications in home-entertainment.
- A Dolby 5.1 surround sound system typically transmits its signal at rate of up to around 1Mbps. Bluetooth EDR could offer a potential cost-effective solution for removing the wires from such systems.
- Other applications: access points, computer accessories (cards, dongles), digital cameras