Broadcom demonstrates next-gen Bluetooth, 10x Faster Speed

Broadcom demonstrates next-gen Bluetooth, 10x Faster Speed. Broadcom Corporation, a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced that it is demonstrating a working implementation of next generation Bluetooth at this week's 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show.

This industry first demonstration features alternative MAC and PHY (AMP) technology that enables Bluetooth to support data rates of up to 24 Megabits per second (Mbps) and a significant increase in range by using other wireless radio technologies, such as 802.11, as its transport medium. Having shipped hundreds of millions of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and combo chips, Broadcom has emerged as the leader in combining these technologies in unique applications, and the AMP demo is one example that highlights these capabilities.

Broadcom's Bluetooth AMP technology is being demonstrated at CES on its wireless solutions including the Broadcom BCM4325 single-chip Bluetooth + Wi-Fi combo device, as well as modules that integrate the BCM2046 single-chip Bluetooth solution and BCM4312 single-chip Wi-Fi device. The demonstration shows fast file transfers between two Broadcom AMP-enabled devices (i.e. PC to PC, PC to mobile phone, mobile phone to mobile phone), which in turn, highlights extended versatility for Bluetooth. Since Broadcom is the market and technology leader in both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the company is well positioned to help drive Bluetooth AMP forward into the market.

The first AMP technology target for Bluetooth is 802.11g wireless LAN - a radio technology that could increase Bluetooth transfer rates by up to 10x when compared to standard or enhanced data rate (EDR) Bluetooth. The ability to connect Bluetooth at data rates up to 24 Mbps dramatically increases its applicability in file transfer and data synchronization between electronic devices.

Broadcom's AMP implementation is based on the current draft of the next Bluetooth specification (code named "Seattle") and the company expects its implementation will be compliant with the final specification when it achieves ratification - which is expected to occur in mid-2009. Although Broadcom's AMP demonstration represents the cutting-edge of Bluetooth technology, the solution utilizes proven Bluetooth profiles, applications and user interface elements, ensuring that the current implementation will face minimal hurdles in becoming a product that Broadcom's partners, and their customers, will feel comfortable using.

(source)