Philips Semiconductors introduces Blueberry - the next generation Bluetooth device for wireless connectivity

Philips Semiconductors introduces Blueberry - the next generation Bluetooth device for wireless connectivity

Enhanced Baseband IC, combined with Philips Semiconductors' TrueBlue radio module, delivers the world's most integrated Bluetooth solution for voice and data applications

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Royal Philips Electronics, demonstrates its ongoing leadership in Bluetooth[tm] wireless technology today, introducing Blueberry PCF87750, a second generation Bluetooth baseband controller chip that is being recognized as the most integrated Bluetooth device available in the world.

Blueberry embodies Philips Semiconductors´ ´Systems on Silicon Solutions´ approach to IC design, integrating a Bluetooth[tm] core, advanced ARM/RISC processor, multiple I/O interfaces and a full analog-to-digital voice band CODEC into a single chip. The level of integration Philips Semiconductors has achieved with Blueberry will enable wireless connectivity in a host of devices, such as lower cost, high performance wireless headsets.

"The wireless market is incredibly exciting right now, with demand for "wire-free" systems for the home and office expected to outpace even the mobile phone market," said Francisco Ferrer, Marketing Manager for Philips Semiconductors' Connectivity sector. "By continually pushing the envelope of IC integration with products like Blueberry, Philips Semiconductors is reducing the time, space, power and cost required to bring wireless products to market. As we achieve even higher levels of integration in future generations of Bluetooth[tm] devices, we will enable our customers to deliver amazing new wireless solutions for both voice and data applications."

Blueberry is the world´s first Bluetooth[tm] baseband device to feature an integrated 384k FLASH memory, 64KB SRAM and complete voice CODEC (analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters - CVSD and I/F) with an embedded ARM7/TDMI core, plus an enhanced Ericsson Bluetooth Core operating as a link controller. The chip also features USB, SPI, UART, PCM and general I/O interfaces. Blueberry also offers maximum design flexibility for designers needing a plug-and-play Bluetooth solution. Blueberry combines seamlessly with Philips Semiconductors´ TrueBlue Radio module (BGB100) to form a complete, ready-to-implement Bluetooth chipset. For designers wishing to implement custom radio designs to meet specific application requirements, Blueberry can be combined with Philips Semiconductors´ UAA3558 radio IC.

Philips Semiconductors´ 2nd generation chipset containing the Blueberry baseband controller PCF87750 in LFBGA81 package and the Radio section UAA3558 in a 32 pins HVQFN package will be available in quantities of 100,000 and in quantities of 1,000,000. The device is available for sampling and will be in volume quantities in the first quarter of 2001.

Philips Semiconductors, which had annual revenues of approximately US $5 billion in 1999, designs and manufactures semiconductors and silicon systems platforms. Philips Semiconductors is spearheading the emerging field of systems on silicon solutions with the innovative Nexperia[tm] platform and VLSI Velocity[tm] tool set. The company´s Sea-of-IP[tm] design methodology allows plug and play intellectual property blocks for easily customizable products. The company is a leader in communications, consumer, PC peripherals and automotive semiconductors, which are key applications for convergence in end-user products. Philips Semiconductors is headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and has operations throughout the world.
For more information: www.philips.semiconductors.com

Bluetooth[tm] is a trademark owned by Telefonaktiebolaget L.M. Ericsson, Sweden and is licensed to Philips Semiconductors