UART accelerates Bluetooth on programmable logic

High-performance core supports the full 3Mbit/s datarates required for compatiblity with the Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR specification.

QuickLogic has added a new UART proven system block as an option for its innovative Customer Specific Standard Product (CSSP) platforms.

The high-performance core supports the full 3Mbit/s datarates required for compatiblity with the Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR specification, and may be configured rapidly with other proven functions to provide a low-power, single-chip connectivity solution.

UARTs have been used as a general-purpose serial communications function for decades, but are typically designed for low-datarate applications such as a PC serial port.

More recently, UARTs have become the most common form of host controller interface for Bluetooth communications.

With the advent of the latest versions of the Bluetooth specification and the EDR transfer mode for high-speed streaming, the UARTs traditionally used in mobile application processors are proving to be too slow.

The new UART system block from QuickLogic offers the level of performance that Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR requires.

"QuickLogic's high-speed UART solution allows portable device OEMs and ODMs to quickly implement Bluetooth 2.1 capability - without waiting for application processor vendors to upgrade their embedded UARTs to the required performance", says Howard Li, QuickLogic's Senior Platform Solution Marketing Manager.

"Together with the flexibility of QuickLogic's CSSP platform approach, this solution allows designers to gain a competitive advantage and create product differentiation - today".

QuickLogic's high-speed UART is a system block that occupies five Customisable Building Blocks (CBBs) within the programmable fabric on either its PolarPro or ArcticLink CSSP platforms.

It offers configurable flow control and FIFO access, as well as a baud rate customisable for different application requirements, with speeds up to 3Mbit/s.

Applications include Bluetooth EDR voice communications between mobile handsets and hands-free headsets, wireless communications between game controllers and game consoles, and the streaming of multimedia files between devices, as well as traditional serial links to keyboards, mice, portable storage, and the like.

Software support for the high-speed UART system block includes drivers for Windows CE, Windows Mobile, and Linux.

The high-speed UART solution is available immediately as part of QuickLogic's CSSP proven system block library.

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