Press release
Top-Tier Car Kit Makers Adopt Upgraded Broadcom® Bluetooth and SmartAudio® Technologies to Deliver an Improved User Experience
IRVINE, Calif., April 28, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced a new Bluetooth® reference design platform that will enable improved audio quality and a more compelling user experience in a broader range of hands-free car kit devices. This new design platform, built upon the successful Broadcom® BCM20741 family of Bluetooth system-on-a-chip (SoC) solutions for headset devices, includes an upgrade to its SmartAudio® sound and voice enhancement technology that reduces annoying background noise to deliver clear conversations in all driving conditions. Samsung has adopted this new platform for its HF1000 car kit device, which is now shipping.
Highlights/ Key Facts:
- Municipal and national governments around the world continue to enact 'hands-free' laws that require the use of car kits and headsets when talking on a cell phone while driving.
- Bluetooth car kits allow users to engage in 'hands-free' phone conversations by pairing with a cell phone and providing speakerphone capabilities in the vehicle.
- 'Hands-free' regulations will be enacted in Shenzhen, China starting in August 2010 -- China represents the biggest automotive market in the world and a strong opportunity for innovative 'hands-free' solutions.
- Broadcom is working with the leading car kit makers on new product designs based on its BCM20741 Bluetooth SoC solution.
- The BCM20741 SoC is the industry's most advanced low cost Bluetooth hands-free solution, providing the best power efficiency, as well as premium audio quality without the need for costly external flash memory, for the design of compelling new car kits.
- Utilizing the industry's first 65 nanometer CMOS design process, key user interface enhancements and superior audio quality, the BCM20741 leapfrogs competing solutions.
- This upgraded reference design and audio enhancement package provides all the components and software required to develop and manufacture affordable car kit devices with premium audio quality.
- Key features that this new technology platform enables include:
- Echo cancellation that significantly improves 'double-talk' performance.
- 'Near-end' speech intelligibility enhancement that automatically enhances the quality and loudness of the caller's voice so that drivers can focus their attention on the road.
- Integrated multiple language voice prompts (in on-chip ROM) that increases ease-of-use and lowers bill-of-materials (BOM) cost.
- An integrated 'fast-charging' power management unit that is capable of recharging large car kit batteries in minutes.
- Highly tunable audio algorithms that enable further differentiation and a unique capability to adapt to various form factors.
- Integrated within the BCM20741 Bluetooth SoC solution is Broadcom's SmartAudio technology that intelligently analyzes digital audio streams within the Bluetooth hands-free device. It differentiates between voice and non-voice characteristics while eliminating background noise to deliver a clearer and distortion-free conversation.
- In hands-free car kits, loud audio can lead to annoying speaker distortion, which is caused by high intensity, low frequency signals.
- SmartAudio technology has now been enhanced for car kits, integrating special enhancements that condition the frequencies to deliver a clear audio experience.
- The Broadcom BCM20741 Bluetooth SoC solution with advanced SmartAudio capabilities is now in production by early access customers.
Craig Ochikubo, Vice President & General Manager, Broadcom's Wireless Personal Area Networking line of business
"We continue to grow in the Bluetooth hands-free market by delivering a superior audio experience that provides key user benefits, and is friendly to the end-user and the environment. New car kit products based on our technology also benefit from the latest version of our popular SmartAudio technology with revolutionary noise suppression technologies optimized particularly for car kits."
