Highly integrated single-mode Bluetooth low energy chips fromCSR support the
development of new markets for mobile accessories and consumer experiences
CAMBRIDGE, England & SAN JOSE, Calif.–(Business Wire)–
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CSR today announced the launch of its first single-mode, single-chip Bluetooth
low energy platform, CSRµEnergy, addressing the needs of ultra low power
connected devices. The CSR µEnergy platform will provide everything required to
create a Bluetooth low energy product with RF, baseband, microcontroller,
qualified Bluetooth v4.0 stack, and customer application running on a single
chip. The CSR µEnergy Bluetooth low energy platform will enable ultra low power
connectivity for applications previously limited by the power consumption, size
constraints and complexity of other wireless standards.
“The CSR µEnergy platform unlocks the potential of the Bluetooth low energy
standard and is a huge step forward in consumer wireless technology. Bluetooth
low energy technology is an alternative to the fractured market of proprietary
and poorly adopted standards and can be deployed in a variety of everyday
devices, changing the way that we interact with our local environment,”
commented Anthony Murray, Senior Vice President of the Audio and Consumer
Business Unit at CSR. “The ultra low power consumption of CSR`s µEnergy platform
enables a new range of accessories to connect to the mobile phone, TV, PC, media
player or tablet, enabling consumers to experience the power of these services
in the home or products that they carry. Bluetooth low energy sensors in
consumer products will enable their behaviour to be customised to the needs of
the user, and tags will enable consumers to search and locate products and
services around them.
CSR has a genuine understanding of OEMs` priorities, and is the ideal company to
deliver an easy-to-integrate, cost-effective Bluetooth low energy platform to
the market.”
Analysts predict that Bluetooth low energy will enable new markets for wireless
accessories or wireless-enabled products including remote controls, health and
wellbeing devices, PC human interface devices, watches, automotive keyless
entry, advertising, indoor location, smart energy appliances and proximity
tagging.
Fiona Thomson of IMS Research said, “The technology will bring wireless
connectivity to a whole new class of devices that have never used it before. The
industry is at a key turning point with this technology right now and with the
launch of the µEnergy platform of products, CSR is in a great position to drive
this market forwards.”
Earlier this month the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) adopted the
complete Bluetooth v4.0 specification, opening the door to commercial release of
qualified Bluetooth low energy end products and CSR was one of the first
companies to qualify its products to the new standard.
The CSR µEnergy platform has been optimised to support only Bluetooth low energy
features, allowing products to be tiny, cost-effective and power-efficient.
CSR`s chips can run for years on a single coin cell battery, and may be used in
simple sensors such as a step counting foot pods, heart rate monitors or car
keyfobs, as well as in more complex low power devices such as a watch that can
control and display information from a mobile phone. The platform offers
single-mode chips that complement CSR`s dual-mode offerings and provide a
complete range of Bluetooth low energy solutions that will drive the development
of this new market.
The CSR µEnergy platform, with its built-in processor, is designed for use in
consumer products and requires no external processor to run customer
applications. It includes four quadurature decoders to enable mouse and pointing
devices, three analogue inputs for direct measurement of sensor, and digital
serial connectors for external sensors and displays.
The chips each have direct antenna connections, can connect directly to a 3V
coin cell or a pair of AAA batteries, and come with three pulse width modulation
outputs for variable power control in applications such as lighting control or
vibration motors. They can run in optimised sleep modes with currents as low as
600nA and chips can “wake” quickly in response to external input signals for
applications such as remote controls. Both chips provide embedded support for
keyboard scanning while “asleep” at less than 5µA.
CSR µEnergy is available in two package options. CSR1000 comes in a 32-pin
5x5x0.6mm QFN package. CSR1001, in a 56 pin 8x8x0.9mm QFN, provides extra pins
for more complex products with a larger number of digital inputs, such as
keyboards, remote control products or home information displays.
Both CSR1000 and CSR1001 can act as a master or slave using CSR`s recently
qualified Bluetooth v4.0 host stack providing complete Generic Access Profile
(GAP), L2CAP, Security Manager, Attribute Protocol (ATT) and Generic Attribute
Profile (GATT). These devices enable customers to run their complete application
on chip using the embedded 16-bit microprocessor.
CSR`s µEnergy chips are available to lead customers now.
- ENDS -
About CSR
CSR plc is a leading provider of multifunction audio, connectivity and location
platforms. CSR`s technology portfolio includes Bluetooth technology, GPS, FM,
Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11), UWB, NFC and other technologies to enable silicon platforms
that incorporate fully integrated radio, baseband and microcontroller elements.
CSR`s Connectivity Centre is designed to enhance the user experience with
mainstream mobile devices by intelligent integration of multiple wireless
connectivity and location-awareness technologies. CSR`s Location Platforms are
complemented by wireless connectivity and multimedia capabilities for
high-volume mobile consumer devices and commercial applications.
CSR`s technology has been adopted by market leaders into a wide range of mobile
consumer devices such as mobile phones, automobile navigation and telematics
systems, portable navigation devices (PNDs), wireless headsets, mobile
computers, mobile internet devices, GPS recreational devices, digital cameras,
mobile gaming, plus a wide range of personal and commercial tracking
applications.
More information can be found at www.csr.com.
# # #
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains statements (including statements concerning plans
and objectives of management for future operations or performance, or
assumptions related thereto) that are `forward looking statements` within the
meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in
relation to CSR’s launch of the CSR µEnergy platform for Bluetooth ultra low
power connected devices and the potential effects of such launch on CSR. These
forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as `is adopting`,
`enable`, `will`, and other similar expressions regarding CSR’s launch of the
CSR µEnergy platform for Bluetooth ultra low power connected devices and the
potential effects of such launch on CSR. Availability and functionality of CSR`s
µEnergy platform for Bluetooth ultra low power connected devices are subject to
change. Any future release of CSR products developed in connection with the CSR
µEnergy platform for Bluetooth ultra low power connected devices is subject to
ongoing evaluation by CSR, and may or may not be implemented and should not be
considered firm commitments by CSR and should not be relied upon in making
purchasing decisions. Such forward-looking statements represent the current
expectations and beliefs of management of CSR, and are based upon numerous
assumptions regarding CSR`s business strategies and the environment in which CSR
will operate and therefore involve a number of known and unknown risks,
contingencies, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the
control of CSR. Each forward looking statement speaks only as of the date
hereof. CSR does not undertake to release publicly any updates or revisions to
any forward looking statements contained herein, otherwise than required by
law.
EML
David Marsden/Chris King
+44 208 408 8000
csr@eml.com
or
Evans Public Relations
Lori Evans
+1 650 200 5891
lori@evanspublicrelations.com
Copyright Business Wire 2010