Extending its vision of a world without wires via Bluetooth wireless technology, Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) is announcing at the 2001 Bluetooth Congress new hardware and software offerings and an aggressive roadmap for future Bluetooth products. An integrated Bluetooth module and updated software suite shown at the Congress provide original equipment manufacturers a specification 1.1 qualified- system they can easily embed in their designs. Motorola is also adding a Bluetooth mini-PCI form factor to the portfolio, allowing personal computer manufacturers to offer Bluetooth functionality as a pre-installed option. Finally, Motorola is presenting early details on its future products and described how new chips can help deliver ongoing performance enhancements and low cost Bluetooth systems.
"Demand for Bluetooth chips and software will explode in support of the 955 million Bluetooth enabled products we see being sold in 2005," said Joyce Putscher, director of In-Stat's Consumer and Converging Markets and Technologies Group. "Motorola and its Digianswer subsidiary are well positioned to take advantage of this growth by offering manufacturers a comprehensive selection of qualified products."
"Motorola is working aggressively to build upon the leadership we established last year with the first qualified PCMCIA and USB products," said Bill Dunnigan, vice president and general manager of Motorola's Wireless Local Connectivity Division. "We've qualified more products and components than any other manufacturer. Now we can offer customers a range of 1.1 compliant hardware and software products, each designed to be part of a comprehensive Motorola end-to-end system."
Bluetooth wireless technology is taking its first steps as basic cable replacement and evolving into more sophisticated applications such as peer-to-peer networking. The number of Bluetooth applications is expected to grow rapidly as more and more products are enabled by the short-range wireless standard.
Mini-PCI
Motorola's new mini-PCI Bluetooth solution, which has been qualified by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, is an evolution of the popular Motorola PCMCIA card introduced in 2000. The mini- PCI system is integrated inside the PC to utilize an embedded antenna and eliminate the need for an add-on card. Several computer manufacturers announced at the Bluetooth Congress last year that Motorola would build their first Bluetooth PCMCIA products and are expected to move to the new Mini-PCI form factor. Support for both Class I & Class II transmit modes and a separate transmitter on/off switch come standard. A diversity antenna provides improved performance in indoor environments.
Bluetooth Integrated Module
The BTMCM150 is a small (15 x 20 mm) and comprehensive Bluetooth sub- system that includes a qualified Bluetooth chip-set and system firmware for simple integration of the module into a host system via the Host Controller Interface. Targeted applications for the module include mobile headsets, Internet appliances, PCs and PDAs. Designed specifically to minimize power drain on the system, the module utilizes a three-volt power supply. The module also takes advantage of embedded flash memory so customers can upgrade to future Bluetooth software revisions in the field.
Software Suite
In addition to the BTMCM150 hardware, Motorola, through its Digianswer subsidiary, updated its software offering and is now 1.1 qualified. The Digianswer Bluetooth 1.1 Software Suite contains a full-featured protocol stack, a Bluetooth application programming interface, the Bluetooth Neighborhood application and a number of utility applications. In addition to supporting all versions of Microsoft's Windows(R) operating system, a beta release of Windows CE(R) is also available.
Digianswer also announced its first embedded software stack to expand the total available market for Bluetooth products. With an embedded stack system designers can work with their choice of operating systems, including those used inside non-PC products like a mobile phone or PDA.
Consumer Products
Motorola is also demonstrating its expanding portfolio of consumer products at the Bluetooth Congress. The company began shipping its Timeport 270c wireless phone to North American customers with an optional Bluetooth Connectivity Kit. During the fourth quarter of the year, Motorola is also expected to begin shipping its first Bluetooth wireless headset, delivering high quality, hands-free, wireless headset-to-handset connectivity. The headset is smaller than two inches in diameter, lightweight, [M2] features up to four hours talk and one week stand-by time, and operates within a 30- foot range.
Future Plans
In addition, Motorola shared its plans to continue development of a broad range of solutions over the coming months including chips, IP, reference designs and modules. The company plans to deliver a highly integrated chipset and plans to offer an IP core for integration into high volume applications for lowest cost delivery. A power amplifier for longer range, Class 1 Bluetooth implementations also is expected to be introduced with the chip set in early 2002.
The Motorola portfolio is expected to eventually support the next- generation Bluetooth 2 standard as the specification is released. As a primary driver behind Bluetooth 2, Motorola expects to provide higher speeds to accommodate the future applications consumers are demanding, such as graphic downloads of digital pictures from a camera to a PDA.
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