CSR has unveiled its seventh generation BlueCore Bluetooth chip
which supports the v2.1+EDR standard.
As Broadcom announces its v2.1+EDR chip on a 65nm process, CSR
has chosen the option for increased functionality with integrated
enhanced GPS and FM transmit and receive technologies.
According to CSR, the Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR radio delivers +10dBm
transmit power and –91dBm receiver sensitivity.
The focus is on reduced power consumption and improved voice
quality, as suppliers like CSR and Broadcom target the growing
in-car hands-free applications.
CSR’s voice codec, dubbed AuriStream, is designed to cut power
by 30% and on-chip speaker drivers also allow users to connect
headphones directly to the device.
The CSR chip also has a radio interface for the ultra low power
(ULP) Bluetooth standard, which was once called Wibree and is now
called Low Energy Bluetooth.
The chip is aimed squarely at the mobile handset market where
CSR has the top five mobiel phoen firms in its sights. The
intention is that by integrating a GPS and FM radio with Bluetooth,
handset designers will welcome the power and space saving of a one
chip design. "BlueCore7 allows the Bluetooth and FM radios to work
without interference, either independently or together to allow
users to stream FM radio from a handset to a pair of Bluetooth
headphones," said CSR.
CSR’s FM receiver has -110dBm of sensitivity. To overcome the
challenges of using a handsets internal FM antenna the FM
transmitter has a uniquely high maximum output power of
+4.5dBm.
“We have seen high demand from our customers for Bluetooth, GPS
and FM functionality,” said Matthew Phillips, senior v-p at
CSR.
BlueCore7 is available in QFN and WLCSP packaging and will be in
volume production from Q4 2008.