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News and New Products
Broadcom makes an entry into Bluetooth stereo headset market
By Jeff Berman -- EDN, 6/27/2005
Broadcom has rolled out its first Bluetooth chip for wireless-stereo headsets. The single-chip BCM2037 includes Bluetooth EDR (enhanced-data-rate) functions for enhanced audio quality and extended battery life. Broadcom officials state that this chip is its first Bluetooth chip it has released since the March 2005 acquisition of wireless-audio technology vendor Zeevo Inc in March.
Scott Bibaud, Broadcom Bluetooth marketing manager, says the BCM2037 leverages Broadcom technology and Zeevo’s 4301 Bluetooth chip set. He notes that, by being EDR-functional, the chip now complies with Bluetooth 2.0 plus EDR, tripling its data rate to 3 Mbps from 1 Mbps, previously the highest data rate on a Bluetooth 1.1 platform. The BCM2037 also offers lower power consumption through Bluetooth-based products with its stereo-streaming capability. This process includes transmitting data from host-side, or transmitter, products, such as PDAs, PCs, or cell phones to stereo headsets on the receiver side. The lower power consumption gives users longer headset-battery life by allowing them to stream data for as many as 10 hours at 3 Mbps, rather than six at 1 Mbps.
Longer battery life and power consumption factors are attractive to engineers considering using the BCM2037, and a higher data rate prevents users from hearing sound gaps and data errors. The headset works effectively in longer ranges, because the data moves faster and is more robust. According to Joyce Putscher, director of converging markets and technologies at In-Stat/MDR, is that an ARM7 processor, which most engineers have worked with, powers the chip. More important, Putscher notes, is the increased battery life and low power consumption. “When you can design something that can use a smaller battery, you can potentially reduce design costs, as well as increase battery life,” she says. Another advantage is that engineers and designers might be able to design around either a smaller and cheaper battery provide product differentiation with a longer battery life.
Broadcom’s BCM2037 is currently available for sampling to early-access partners and will go into full production during the third quarter. The sample price is less than $10. This year, Broadcom also released the BCM2045, an EDR chip for cell phones, notebook computers and other devices. “We are trying to improve the overall user experience by aggressively bringing EDR to the market, as well as improving audio-video-streaming capability,” says Bibaud.
Broadcom, www.broadcom.com.
