Today, Broadcom announced that it has gained Bluetooth 4.0 certification for its BTE Bluetooth stack and system-on-a-chip solutions. The new Bluetooth 4.0 standard has lower overhead than previous iterations of the technology, using less power and having a lower cost, while providing better range. Expect to see Bluetooth 4.0 hitting mobile devices in early 2012. We’ve got the official press release ready for you after the bounce.
Broadcom Supports Bluetooth® Version 4.0 Across Its Leading Bluetooth Portfolio
Broad Availability of the New Standard will Drive the Adoption of Bluetooth Low Energy Technology for New Applications in Health Care, Fitness, Security and Home Entertainment
IRVINE, Calif., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that it has gained certification and added support for the recently adopted Bluetooth® Version 4.0 specification across its core BTE Bluetooth stack and industry leading Bluetooth system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions. Broadcom’s full qualification makes it one of the first to achieve Bluetooth v4.0 controller and host stack certification, solidifying its continued leadership in Bluetooth technology and dedication to the growth of this technology as it evolves beyond what are perceived to be the traditional Bluetooth use cases of today.
Highlights/Key Facts:
- The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) recently announced the formal adoption of Bluetooth Core Specification Version 4.0, with the hallmark feature low energy technology. This final step in the specification development process signals to Bluetooth SIG members that the Bluetooth SIG Qualification Program is now open for qualification of all Bluetooth product types to the Version 4.0 Specification.
- Bluetooth low energy technology opens up new segments for this wireless technology including fitness, sports, medical devices, security, and home entertainment based on Bluetooth products and sensors that are powered from a single small coin-cell battery.
Key features of the Bluetooth low energy specification in the new Bluetooth v4.0 standard include:
- Ultra-low peak, average and idle mode power consumption
- Ability to run for years on standard coin-cell batteries
- Low cost
- Multi-vendor interoperability
- Enhanced range
As a leading supplier of both Bluetooth technology, and a leader in combination (‘combo’) chip products that combine multiple radios in a single chip design, Broadcom is in a unique position to drive Bluetooth v4.0 technology, further expanding the utility of Bluetooth low power devices.
With the latest qualifications, Broadcom enables full-featured Bluetooth devices which include the latest low energy technology in addition to Bluetooth High Speed, Classic Bluetooth and Enhanced Data Rate Bluetooth technology.
