Flash-based Bluetooth chip cuts headset complexity

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Apr 28, 2006

The new Nokia BH-200 Bluetooth headset uses BlueCore3-Audio Flash to provide a fully compliant Bluetooth v1.2 specification for voice communications.

The new Nokia BH-200 Bluetooth headset uses CSR's BlueCore3-Audio Flash (BlueCore3-AF), providing the headset with a fully compliant Bluetooth v1.2 specification for voice communications.

The stylish Nokia BH-200 Bluetooth headset, the first Handsfree Profile (HFP1.5) headset, is part of Nokia's recently launched line of high-end wireless headsets with CSR's BlueCore technology for Bluetooth at the core.

CSR's leading interoperability pretesting and support reassures users that the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-200 can be paired with any Bluetooth enabled mobile handset.

Weighing just 14g with dimensions of 49 x 22 x 21mm, the Nokia Bluetooth Headset BH-200 achieves a talk time of 5.5h and standby time of an impressive 150h.

The headset's simplistic design offers individual button control for power, call answering, volume, and mute functions.

The headset also supports the voice recognition function of compatible mobile handsets.

CSR's BlueCore3-Audio Flash is a cost-effective and compact single-chip radio and baseband IC designed for Bluetooth devices that require an on-chip mono codec and 6Mbit of embedded Flash memory.

When combined with CSR's Bluetooth software stack, BlueCore3-AF provides designers with a fully compliant Bluetooth v1.2 solution for voice.

External components are further reduced thanks to an on-chip 1.8V regulator, and a charger for lithium batteries.

BlueCore3-AF also supports HFP1.5 as well as incorporating auto-calibration and built-in self-test (BIST) routines to simplify development, type approval and production tests.

Razvan Olosu, Vice President, Enhancements, Nokia, said: "The Nokia Bluetooth headset BH-200 enhances everyday mobility by combining the highest quality Bluetooth technology with simple and functional design".

"CSR's BlueCore3-AF allowed us to design a headset that achieves the highest level of connectivity and interoperability without sacrificing its compact design".

"We were able to concentrate on the style and form of the headset with the confidence of knowing that CSR's technology produces the simplicity and performance expected from all of Nokia's products".

Gordon Petrie, VP, Sales Europe for CSR commented: "The use of BlueCore3-AF in the Nokia Bluetooth headset BH-200 further demonstrates CSR's commitment to providing designers with complete wireless offerings that minimise the amount of external components required for production".

"CSR will continue to work towards alleviating design, time, and price constraints involved in wireless device production, enabling manufacturers to add more value to their product offerings and concentrate on differentiation".