Satellite Technology Feature Article
September 04, 2009
ST Ericsson's Tiny Bluetooth, GPS and FM Combo Chip Packs a Lot of Power
By Marisa Torrieri, TMCnet Editor
Just when you thought wireless parts couldn’t get any smaller, ST-Ericsson (News - Alert) is trying to make a big splash with two new itty bitty products.
The Swiss handset manufacturer on Thursday announced the launch of what calls the “world’s smallest” wireless connectivity products: a multi-mode Bluetooth, GPS and FM combination chip and an ultra-low-power wireless LAN device.
The new CG2900 chip offers best-in-class audio quality, high-precision GPS services and improved battery life on mobile phones when using Bluetooth, GPS and FM applications.
According to ST-Ericsson, the CG2900 is best suited for mass adoption in smartphones, feature phones and high-volume, low-end handsets - and for consumers using multiple connectivity features simultaneously.
And just in time for the final approval of wireless networking standard 802.11n, ST-Ericsson is launching of its ultra-low power IEEE (News - Alert) 802.11n WLAN device, the CW1100.
According to ST-Ericsson, the CW1100’s power efficiency “significantly reduces power consumption, which has been the biggest challenge with mobile phones,” the company said in a statement. When using the CW1100, consumers will reportedly no longer need to switch off the WLAN function when it is not in use.
“As more consumers start accessing Internet-based applications and GPS-enabled services, exchanging information over Bluetooth and WLAN, and enjoying FM radio, manufacturers constantly need design innovation to create more exciting mobile devices,” said Thierry Tingaud, vice president of ST-Ericsson’s 2G, EDGE, TD-SCDMA and Connectivity division. “With the world's first 45-nm single-chip for Bluetooth, FM, GPS combination, ST-Ericsson is driving innovation in connectivity and broadcast to a new high.”
Both devices will be available in the second half of 2010.
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Marisa Torrieri is a TMCnet Editor. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Stefania Viscusi
