Bluetooth Version 2.0 Enhanced Data Rate Announced

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the adoption of Bluetooth Core Specification Version 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate). The new spec offers increased data rates, up to three times current levels, support for running multiple Bluetooth devices simultaneously and lower power consumption for improved battery life.

The new specification provides improved facilities to use several functions or devices simultaneously and transfer large data files, due to more available bandwidth. The lower power consumption will enable a new generation of Bluetooth devices to last up to twice the current operating time. Version 2.0 + EDR is backwards compatible with all previous specifications.

Bluetooth technology is currently the leading and only proven short-range wireless technology, used widely for personal area networking with devices like mobile phones, PCs, PDAs, headsets, and automotive hands-free systems.

"The motivation behind 2.0 + EDR was to improve existing usage scenarios which require increased data throughput, like streaming CD-quality audio, digital image transfer and laser printing,” said Dr. Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG. “Now manufacturers can update to the latest Bluetooth specification to fit the demands of consumers for their particular product – and the user will get a better Bluetooth experience."

The main features of Bluetooth Core Specification Version 2.0 + EDR are:

• 3 times faster transmission speed (up to 10 times in certain cases)
• Lower power consumption through reduced duty cycle
• Simplification of multi-link scenarios due to more available bandwidth
• Backwards compatible to earlier versions
• Further improved BER (Bit Error Rate) performance

The Bluetooth SIG expects products based upon the specification to be available in 2005. Products from the PC industry are expected to be the first on the market with the new specification, followed by devices for audio and imaging use cases.

New Specification Adoption Process
To better assist manufacturers in deploying the technology in real products, the SIG established a new policy for finalizing specifications requiring three interoperable prototypes to be demonstrated at Bluetooth SIG test events before a new specification is adopted. By following this new robust procedure, the Bluetooth SIG expects to virtually eliminate the risk for interoperability issues in early devices built on new versions of Bluetooth specifications.

Industry Support
Broadcom, CSR, and RF Micro Devices all tested 2.0 + EDR prototypes. Chips with the new specification are available immediately from Broadcom and CSR, and in Q1 2005 from RF Micro Devices.

"We expect broad adoption of Bluetooth 2.0 technology with enhanced data rate across multiple markets, including our primary market of cellular handsets, which is the world’s largest consumer electronics market. With its small size, low power consumption and low Bill of Materials (BOM) cost, our recently announced SiW4000 Bluetooth solution, based on Bluetooth Version 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate , specifically targets the high-volume 2.5G and 3G cellular handset market,” said Frank Morese, vice president of the wireless connectivity business unit, RF Micro Devices (Nasdaq: RFMD).