Demand grows for Bluetooth integration

Recent market trends indicate that Bluetooth is fast emerging asa popular technology among consumers, and Bluetooth IP providerMindTree Consulting is forecasting an increase in the demand forintegration of Bluetooth technology in product areas such as GPS,Wi-Fi and GSM/CDMA.

Commenting on the news that Ericsson isrestructuring its Bluetooth activities, MindTree Chief TechnologyOfficer and Senior Vice President - R and D Services, VinodDeshmukh said: "Today, Bluetooth has matured into mainstreamtechnology and this development further increases businessopportunities to provide Bluetooth controller silicon IP tosemiconductors and chip vendors".

EmphasisingMindTree's strength in Bluetooth, he added: "MindTree,with its leadership in Bluetooth solution areas, can address theneeds of the ever demanding customers".

"We offersilicon-proven, version 1.2 Bluetooth controller IP with flexiblelicensing terms to our customers".

MindTree's Bluetoothsolutions encompass a complete suite: Bluetooth basebandcontroller and firmware (BlueWiz 1.2); Bluetooth software(EtherMind 1.2 upper layer stack and profiles); Bluetoothprotocol tester; reference designs; and a host of Bluetooth-baseddesign and customisation services.

"BlueWiz 1.2 is ideal forintegration into application specific silicon products (ASSPs)and chips, with features such as high portability, low powerconsumption and configurable to different hardware and softwareplatforms".

"As there is a growing demand for Bluetoothin markets such as mobile phones, headsets, automotive, we expectincreased activity among the product vendors to compete onfeatures and cost parameters".

"This would eventuallylead to integration of Bluetooth into a single-chipsolution", said Dr Raghunath Govindachari, Director of theMindTree Bluetooth Programme.

MindTree has sold more than 25different Bluetooth licences in the last three years and its IPis shipped with the products of global silicon vendors.