Two device set cuts Bluetooth down to size

The new BGB102 system-in-a-package (SiP) radio and Blueberry data ROM (PCF87852) form a complete Bluetooth-compliant solution.

The new BGB102 system-in-a-package (SiP) radio and Blueberry data ROM (PCF87852) form a complete Bluetooth-compliant solution.

Together with an industry standard software stack from Philips, it is a competitive system solution for applications such as mobile phones, headsets, car kits and PDAs.

Philips' complete Bluetooth system solutions enable wireless technology designers to focus on innovative product designs instead of spending valuable time on complex chip and software design issues.

The BGB102 introduces a new "system-in-a-package" concept, combining active and passive IC in a conventional ultra small 6 x 6mm HVQFN package.

This plug-and-play radio incorporates all RF parts such as transceiver, baluns, switch and antenna filter and greatly simplifies the development and production of Bluetooth applications.

"The release of these new products from Philips Semiconductors mark another important step in reducing the complexity of Bluetooth application development, stimulating the emergence of new and innovative Bluetooth applications", said Michael Wall, Wireless Research Analyst at Frost and Sullivan.

"Philips has built upon its strong established market position and technical expertise to complement its already highly competitive Bluetooth product line".

"Philips' BGB102 and Blueberry data ROM introduce a tremendous size improvement to designers, reducing the space needed on the board to less than 90mm2 and, additionally, the new SiP technology supplies the complete radio functionality with no tradeoffs on performance", said Rob Hoeben, Bluetooth Product Marketing Manager at Philips Semiconductors.

"Targeted for mobile voice and data applications, these two new products consolidate our position as one of the leading forces behind the drive to bring Bluetooth wireless connectivity to the mass market".

The Blueberry data ROM is a baseband IC, suitable for hosted and several embedded applications for mobile communications, computing and consumer.

It combines low power consumption levels with 224Kbyte ROM and a flexible patch mechanism for feature upgrades.

The Blueberry data ROM supports the whole range of Philips' Bluetooth radio solutions.

It comes in a 7x7 LFBGA80 package that is pin compatible with the Blueberry data Flash (PCF87752) version, therefore making the design-in simple for manufacturers already using a Philips Bluetooth solution.

Both the Blueberry data ROM and BGB102 come as Bluetooth prequalified components, thus reducing yield risks, lowering customer costs while improving time to market.

Philips was first to market in 1999 with its original Bluetooth products and has shipped more than 15 million of these devices since they were first introduced.

Samples of the stand-alone BGB102 are expected end of June 2003 and samples of the Blueberry data ROM are expected in September 2003; both for selected customers.

Full-scale production of both products is expected in Q1 2004.

Development boards with Blueberry data ROM, BGB102 and software are expected in October 2003.

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