Broadcom

Today, Broadcom brings clearer conversation and enhanced noise reduction to Bluetooth headset users, who to date have had to compromise on sound quality when looking for an affordable product. Broadcom’s new single-chip ROM-based device features advanced audio enhancement technology in a small, low cost package that will help to drive cost effective, stylish headset designs based on Bluetooth technology.
Bluetooth is one of the most ubiquitous short-range wireless technologies in today’s society – a position that looks set to keep growing with IMS Research forecasting 800 million Bluetooth devices will be sold this year, up 40% from 2006.

Announced today is the Broadcom BCM2044S headset solution that leverages a ROM-based architecture to implement its unique SmartAudio™ noise and echo reduction algorithms, enhancing audio quality without adding additional costly components. This technology potentially reduces the bill of materials (BOM) cost by 40 percent, enabling OEMs to offer high-end audio capabilities at the same cost as basic headsets. In addition, the BCM2044S is footprint-compatible with the predecessor Broadcom BCM2044, enabling OEM customers to cost effectively offer multi-tiered product lines based on a common hardware platform.

Broadcom also announced today its BCM92044 reference design that provides headset OEMs with a greatly reduced 2-layer printed circuit board (PCB), versus alternative solutions that require PCBs with four or six layers. Answering the requirements of headset manufacturers for smaller, simpler products, Broadcom’s BCM92044 reference design supports extremely small audio devices and requires about 30 percent fewer external components when compared to competing solutions. The reference design includes Broadcom’s industry-leading Bluetooth software, along with essential development tools to accelerate time-to-market for customer products. Broadcom also conducts extensive interoperability testing with other Bluetooth devices, and to date, the BCM92044 reference design has been validated with over 200 Bluetooth devices and that list continues to grow.

The BCM2044S single-chip solution and BCM92044 reference design are sampling to early access customers. Pricing is available upon request.

Source: Broadcom