Press release
IRVINE, Calif., Dec 09, 2009 -- Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced a new version of its InConcert® wireless technology that enables industry-best co-existence between Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi® in netbooks and notebooks. This new version of InConcert technology applies adaptive algorithms that identify wireless use cases to significantly improve 802.11n throughputs while servicing various Bluetooth devices.
Broadcom is a pioneer in implementing solutions that effectively integrate Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in compact, low power combo chip and module configurations. Broadcom's proven architectures work to mitigate potential radio interference between the two wireless technologies and reduce the complexity of designing them into netbooks, notebooks and smartphones. InConcert, which has evolved over four generations spanning mobile phones and mobile computing devices, is shipping in netbooks or notebooks from five of the top ten OEMs.
Highlights/Key Facts:
- Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have evolved significantly since their introductions, with Bluetooth first popularized as a wireless hands-free technology in mobile phones and Wi-Fi having achieved widespread adoption enabling wireless Internet access for notebook computers.
- Today, Bluetooth is increasingly featured in PCs, especially in the burgeoning netbook segment, driven by the need for wireless peripherals that can extend the user experience (such as connecting wireless headsets for VoIP phone calls). Similarly, Wi-Fi has increased its presence in mobile handsets and is expected to extend into more devices once the Wi-Fi Direct standard becomes ratified. The growing use of these two wireless technologies drives a need for more sophisticated mechanisms that make them work well together.
- Fundamentally, the connection requirements for various Bluetooth applications vary dramatically, with some requiring low latency and others needing a predetermined minimum throughput. Broadcom InConcert co-existence algorithms take these factors into account while servicing a combination of different Bluetooth devices in the presence of an active Wi-Fi link.
- The new InConcert implementation has incorporated several enhancements over the previous generation to further focus on netbook devices (which are characterized by mobility, wireless connectivity and extensibility).
- InConcert also includes technology components that enhance performance of state-of-the-art standards-based capabilities, such as the high-speed transfer functionality enabled by Bluetooth 3.0 + HS. The co-existence problem posed by the new standard has been addressed elegantly to provide reliable Bluetooth file transfer throughputs while at the same time enabling the use of wireless peripherals such as mouse and stereo headset devices.
- The new InConcert implementation is designed to also provide a satisfying user experience when the forthcoming Wi-Fi Direct standard becomes available, enabling 802.11n data rates between two Wi-Fi Direct devices while at the same time servicing various Bluetooth peripherals. This is especially useful for a completely wireless video streaming experience in which the video is being streamed directly from the computer to the TV over Wi-Fi while Bluetooth speakers or headsets are used for the audio.
- The new version of InConcert is now available and shipping to major netbook and notebook manufacturers worldwide along with Broadcom's innovative InConcert combo modules (including the BCM94312HMGB, BCM943225HMB and BCM943224HMB) and will be demonstrated at the CES 2010.
Supporting Quotes:
Nambi Seshadri, Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Broadcom Mobile and Wireless Connectivity
"As Wi-Fi and Bluetooth collaboration becomes more commonplace in mobile devices, Broadcom is innovating to obscure the complexity of these sophisticated communications systems so device and software developers can more easily build wireless capabilities into their products. Our InConcert technology allows a new level of co-existence between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios to deliver a more enjoyable user experience."
