Product category:
Reference Designs
News Release from: Ubicom | Subject: Bluetooth/Ethernet access point reference design
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 07 June 2001
Reference design links Bluetooth with
Ethernet
Ubicom has released a reference design based on its software-based implementation of a Bluetooth wireless technology Ethernet access point.
Ubicom has released a reference design based on its software-based implementation of a Bluetooth wireless technology Ethernet access point An Ethernet access point allows mobile users to connect to LANs and the Internet without taking any action of their own
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 16 Jan 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Users of such devices as PDAs, mobile phones, and laptop computers that are equipped with Bluetooth wireless technology can automatically be connected to a wired network any time they come within range of an access device, known as the "hot spot".
The access point device senses the presence of the mobile unit and immediately performs all of the connection and synchronisation activities needed to create a link to a network.
Access point devices created using the Ubicom reference design allow simultaneous connection of up to seven active and 32 inactive mobile users to an Ethernet LAN in a "piconet" point-to-multipoint manner.
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Applications are wide-ranging, encompassing any area in which wireless access to wired resources is desired, including offices, conference rooms, and networked homes.
"The main reasons that there aren't many access point devices on the market today are the scarcity of economical designs, lack of integration of Bluetooth and networking technologies, and the constantly changing nature of the Bluetooth standard", said Ubicom President and CEO Bulent Celebi.
"We're addressing all of these issues with our reference design, offering the lowest BOM, fully integrated software Bluetooth and networking stacks, and the ability to upgrade to new specification versions by simply changing a software module.
We believe that this will enable OEMs to produce devices that are attractively priced and offer the features and 'future-proofing' that customers demand".
The Ubicom reference design consists of Bluetooth, Ethernet, and Internet protocol (IP) software modules that are programmed into the on-chip flash memory of the company's IP2022 Internet processor chip.
The implementation currently supports version 1.1 of the Bluetooth technology specification, 10base-T Ethernet, the complete suite of Internet protocols, and the access point application software.
The IP2022 interfaces with a Signia Technologies chipset that consists of a radio chip and a baseband controller.
This chipset performs the wireless communications functions.
The Ubicom HCI (Host Controller Interface) software that provides the link between the Bluetooth stack and the baseband controller is optimised for use with the Signia Technologies chipset, but can readily be adapted to support baseband and RF products from other vendors.
The bill of materials for manufacturing an access point device using the Ubicom reference design is about $30.
"Ubicom is unique because we do functions in software rather than silicon, so we eliminate up to four of the chips that other solutions require", said Stephan Thaler, Vice President of Marketing at Ubicom.
"This represents a considerable cost and form-factor savings for our customers, as well as greatly reducing their time to market.
In addition, they can quickly and easily change their devices to accommodate market demands or specification upgrades, such as moving to Bluetooth version 2.0 when it becomes available, by simply reprogramming the IP2022 chip, even over the Internet".
A key element in the Bluetooth/Ethernet access point reference design is a software development tool suite that includes the Ubicom Unity IDE (integrated development environment), the GNUPro toolchain and the Ubicom configuration tool.
The Unity IDE provides an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to edit code and manage projects.
It is seamlessly integrated with the GNUPro tools.
Provided by Red Hat, the GNUPro tool chain includes a C compiler, assembler, linker, utilities, GNU debugger, and instruction set simulator.
The Ubicom configuration tool enables users to choose the appropriate ipModule packages, configure the features for each chosen package, and check dependencies among the packages.
It allows users to quickly and easily manage their own software.
Ubicom's Bluetooth/Ethernet access point reference design will be generally available in the third quarter of 2001.
The total price of all the components required to implement the design will be about $30 in volume.
A software license fee will also apply.
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