Broadcom Corp. has demonstrated a working implementation of next-generation Bluetooth featuring alternative MAC and PHY (AMP) technology that enables Bluetooth to support data rates of up to 24 Mbits/s and a significant increase in range. The demonstration, at CES 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada, used other wireless radio technologies, such as 802.11, as its transport medium.
The company’s Bluetooth AMP technology was shown on its wireless solutions, including the BCM4325 single-chip Wi-Fi combo device, as well as on modules that integrate the BCM2046 single-chip Bluetooth solution and BCM4312 single-chip Wi-Fi device. The demonstration highlighted the extended versatility of Bluetooth by performing fast file transfers between two Broadcom AMP-enabled devices—that is, PC to PC, PC to mobile phone, mobile phone to mobile phone.
Broadcom’s AMP implementation is based on the current draft of the next Bluetooth specification (code named “Seattle”). The company expects its implementation will comply with the final specification when it achieves ratification, which is expected to occur in mid-2009.
The first AMP technology target for Bluetooth is 802.11g wireless LAN, a radio technology that could increase Bluetooth transfer rates by up to 10 times when compared to standard or enhanced data rate (EDR) Bluetooth. The ability to connect Bluetooth at data rates up to 24 Mbits/s dramatically increases its applicability in file transfer and data synchronization between electronic devices.
Broadcom
www.broadcom.com