In a recent release, global technology company Laird has announced a new line of Bluetooth-qualified Class 1 HCI modules for rapid enablement of Bluetooth technology into OEM devices.
The new BT850, BT851, and BT860 series is designed to complement Laird’s original BT8x0 series of Dual-Mode Bluetooth v4.0 modules. This next-gen series brings support for the Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR/LE core specification in Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and is equipped with market-leading silicon from Cypress Semiconductor.
The BT850 and BT860 Series build on the original BT8x0 line of modules, giving OEM customers more options and flexibility for using the enhanced throughputs and security benefits in the Bluetooth v4.2 specification to their end devices.
Leveraging the Cypress chipset, CYW20704 A2, these new small form factor devices integrate all the RF components for a complete design with full RF and regulatory certifications, while still providing design flexibility for customers to implement options such as USB (BT850) or UART (BT860) host interface, or integrated versus external antenna implementations. The BT851 USB dongle rounds out the portfolio, providing a simple external plug-in option for enabling operating system-enabled devices with robust Bluetooth v4.2 connectivity.
“The BT850 and BT860 Series modules are designed to remove complexity and accelerate development time,” said Scott Lordo, SVP, Connectivity business segment, Laird. “Our new hardware takes advantage of new silicon from Cypress to provide Bluetooth v4.2’s enhanced low energy features, allowing customers to get started quickly and go to production faster, producing sophisticated, secure, and intelligent designs.”
These Laird devices also provide native support for Windows, Linux and Android Bluetooth software stacks. All Laird products are fully qualified by the Bluetooth SIG as a Hardware Controller Subsystem, which allows designers to integrate their existing pre-approved Bluetooth Host and Profile subsystem stacks to simply and easily gain Bluetooth approval for their products.
“The CYW20704 A2 single chip Bluetooth transceiver and baseband processor from Cypress is the ideal wireless core for Laird’s new range of Bluetooth v4.2 HCI modules for robust, reliable Bluetooth enablement of high performance Internet of Things applications,” said Andrew Hunter, Senior Director, Marketing, Cypress Semiconductor. “Laird’s USB and UART module variants based on our CYW20704 A2 silicon will provide OEMs with the flexibility to support both Classis Bluetooth and BLE support whilst leveraging the throughput, security and privacy enhancements of BTv4.2, all from a single, low power IC.”
Ken Briodagh is a writer and editor with more than a decade of experience under his belt. He is in love with technology and if he had his druthers would beta test everything from shoe phones to flying cars.Edited by
Ken Briodagh
