Philsar PH2401 Bluetooth™ Solution Backgrounder

Introducing the Philsar PH2401 and Personal Wireless Connectivity

Bluetooth is a specification for small form factor, low cost, short-range radio links
between mobile PC’s, mobile phones and other portable devices. Personal Wireless
Connectivity, an emerging wireless paradigm, allows for the network to be intuitively
based on the end-user (See Figure 1). Personal Wireless Connectivity will provide an
unparalleled degree of personal connectivity via wireless communications. Components
of Personal Wireless Connectivity currently include cellular handsets, accessories such as
headsets, as well as notebook computers and personal digital assistants. The universal
standard of connectivity that Bluetooth provides will drive the development of these and
other Personal Wireless Connectivity applications.

Figure 1: Personal Wireless Connectivity ‘Piconet’

The Philsar PH2401 is a single-chip, highly-integrated, ultra low power Radio IC that
supports the Bluetooth 1.0 standard. It will be supported by a range of developers’
collateral, including an evaluation board, and an example platform (in partnership with
Mitel). This will also include software and applications information allowing new
adopters the ability to test product ideas, fast prototype capability and to develop their
high-level applications software.

Philsar Semiconductor Inc.
146 Colonnade Road S., Nepean, ON, Canada K2E 7Y1
http://www.philsar.com - Tel: [phone] - Fax: [phone]

The Problems the Philsar PH2401 Solution Solves

To access the benefits of Bluetooth, mobile communications equipment designers will
require ultralow power, highly integrated solutions. Philsar’s RF IC design expertise (as
demonstrated by the company’s Multipurpose RF transceiver and its Synthesizer family)
is at the core of its Bluetooth solution by addressing these power and integration needs, as
well as helping to lower system cost. By offering the lowest power solution, the Philsar
PH2401 adds Bluetooth functionality without affecting battery life and associated user
autonomy.

Another important design consideration addressed by the Philsar PH2401 is the need for
small form factor. The Philsar PH2401 provides a very high degree of integration,
thereby eliminating external components and freeing up board space.

High volume Bluetooth-enabled consumer devices are very cost-sensitive, so limiting
incremental system cost is key to designers. A very high degree of integration also
addresses this requirement, leading to a lower bill of materials as well as lower
manufacturing costs.

Philsar PH2401 Applications

The Philsar PH2401 can be used in a wide range of communications, computing and
consumer applications. The ultra-low power design point makes it ideal for use in highly
mobile applications such as headsets, cellular handsets and handheld computing devices.
The Philsar PH2401 is also effective for mobile computing (notebooks), desktop
computing, and network access points such as hubs and routers. It also enables the
replacement of cumbersome cable connections between mobile computing and
communications devices, making it even more attractive for laptop computers, PDA’s,
palmtops, and headsets.

PDA’s and palmtop computers can also use the Philsar PH2401 to complement or replace
the infrared (Ir) interface currently in use with the device’s RF-based technology. This
will help overcome the Ir interface’s short-distance operability and line-of-sight
requirements. These devices may add local paging, email, and Internet microbrowsing,
connecting to the network via the PH2401.

Philsar PH2401 Features and Benefits

There are four key issues to be considered to ensure that Bluetooth-enabled products are
rapidly accepted in high volume Personal Wireless Connectivity applications: very low
power consumption; support for both multipoint and piconet-to-piconet connectivity; a
high level of integration; and ease of integration into an end-user application.

The single-chip Philsar PH2401 offers ultra-low power operation- as low as 20 mA at
1.8V in full receive mode. In addition, a programmable transmit power control feature

Philsar Semiconductor Inc.
146 Colonnade Road S., Nepean, ON, Canada K2E 7Y1
http://www.philsar.com - Tel: [phone] - Fax: [phone]

enables transmission of only as much power as absolutely required for given applications,
helping to maintain battery life and thus further extend user autonomy.

The Philsar PH2401 focuses on Class 2 and Class 3 operation (Class 1-up to 100M- can
be supported with additional external components). This makes the device ideal for
highly mobile and short range (1-10M) applications that typically make up typically
required by multipoint and piconet-to-piconet connectivity.

Unlike other approaches, the single-chip Philsar PH2401 fully integrates VCO,
synthesizer, power amplification and IF filters. The IF filters are on-chip, thus
contributing to a lower overall system cost (See Figure 2). The Philsar PH2401’s crystal-
independent fractional-N frequency synthesizer operates over a wide range of crystal
frequencies, thereby eliminating the requirement for a dedicated crystal. The flexible
baseband-radio interface allows the radio to interface with any currently available
Bluetooth baseband controller. In addition, Philsar has added leading edge technology
and processes, including SiGe BiCMOS.

Figure 2: The Philsar PH2401 Single-chip Bluetooth Radio

Packaging and Availability

The Philsar PH2401 will be available in a 48 pin BC++ package. For more information
on the Philsar PH2401, please contact Cedric Paillard, Product Marketing Manager,
Philsar Semiconductor, Inc. [e-mail]

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FIR

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