June 17, 2003 - The latest offering from Ericsson Technology Licensing involving the company's 4th generation Bluetooth radio comes packaged as a single-chip design solution. The new package joins Ericsson's lineup of IP (Intellectual Property) solutions featuring one of the smallest and most power efficient Bluetooth radios available.
Ericsson's Bluetooth radio core is now being offered in a SoC (System-on-Chip) solution designed for direct integration with digital blocks as required for Bluetooth single-chip solutions.
The Ericsson Core Bluetooth Radio K-C1 single-chip solution has been developed specifically for the purpose of being combined with baseband and other digital blocks from different manufacturers.
Advanced isolation techniques
Combining analog and digital technologies on the same chip with success is no easy matter. "The problem is that the analog part needs to be sufficiently isolated from disturbances originating in the digital block," explains Johan Åkesson, Marketing Director at Ericsson Technology Licensing.
Over the past few years, engineers at Ericsson have devoted a great deal of time to developing isolation techniques for Bluetooth System-on-Chip (SoC) solutions. "These techniques are now available to our customers through K-C1," says Åkesson, "which is not only a tremendous help when integrating on a single chip, but also provides higher performance and production yields."
Good news for makers of single-chip products
K-C1 is extremely small, just under 4 mm2. The small silicon surface means more chips can be produced at a lower price.
And as might be expected, K-C1 complies fully with the requirements of the new Bluetooth specification 1.2.
What differentiates K-C1 from Ericsson's other Bluetooth radio packages is that it is completely adapted to help semiconductors integrate the radio directly into single-chip products quickly and easily. "With K-C1, we now offer semiconductors a design solution that will provide the fastest time-to-market for single-chip Bluetooth solutions," says Åkesson.
Putting new markets within reach
Ericsson offers customers complete back-end support throughout the entire process, from integration and verification all the way to the market. "We understand the challenge of integrating radio with digital technology as well as anybody," says Åkesson, "and we are happy to share our expertise within this field with our customers."
By introducing K-C1 Ericsson hopes that semiconductors lacking either the experience or the resources required for developing customized, single-chip radio solutions will now be able to do so and still hit their market windows.
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world. Read more at http://www.ericsson.com/press
About Ericsson Technology Licensing
Ericsson Technology Licensing develops state-of-the-art Bluetooth design solutions optimized for mobile communication, computing and media devices. As a major driving force behind the Bluetooth initiative, we have been instrumental in the development of Bluetooth wireless technology from a simple idea into a widely acclaimed industry standard. Our complete portfolio of IP Cores for Bluetooth baseband and radio together with a complete Bluetooth software package, qualification services, training and design services provides semiconductor and original equipment manufacturers the fastest, most reliable course for implementing Bluetooth wireless technology in new products.
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