Device Integrates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and FM in One Solution

Advances in semiconductor technology is redefining traditional ideas of what we can expect from familiar products, such as televisions, personal computers and cellular handsets by bringing capabilities which we are already accustomed to (such as web browsing, recording video, getting driving directions) into new device contexts. Key to this convergence is the ability for mobile devices to connect to multiple networks, including those powered by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular and other radio technologies. Each radio technology performs a specific function, but the sum represents a significant transformation of the role of these devices in our lives.

Given the growing demand for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other connectivity technologies in mobile devices, manufacturers are looking for ways to add these features in smaller and smaller products. However, adding multiple radios to mobile phones and other compact devices brings several potential design challenges – more cost, more drain on battery life, more space, and more radio interference.

The BCM4329 from Broadcom integrates multiple proven wireless technologies onto a single silicon die. The combo chip offers significant advantages that overcome the challenges of designing small mobile devices with the latest connectivity features, achieving optimized performance, antenna placement and power management while minimizing coexistence and interference issues as well as component size and cost.

The BCM4329 is one of Broadcom's most integrated 65nm single-chip combo devices with single-band (2.4 GHz) IEEE 802.11b/g/n or dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz) 802.11a/b/g/n, plus Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and FM receiver and transmitter features. It enables mobile devices to support today's toughest media applications—without impacting device size or battery life, making it ideal for handheld electronics, digital television, tablets, gaming devices, printers, smart grid, medical, home appliances and security and home control.

The BCM4329 features one of the industry’s most advanced Bluetooth/Wi-Fi coexistence technologies to ensure the best possible user experience. The challenge was to get the two protocols to work seamlessly with each other given that they share the same spectrum space. The proprietary coexistence algorithms manage the frequency hopping scheme of Bluetooth to work seamlessly with Wi-Fi’s wideband spectrum requirement, allowing users to enjoy the benefits of Bluetooth 2.1 with Wi-Fi 11n features simultaneously. The device shares a single antenna between Wi-Fi and BT, thus reducing the BOM, cost and space in the final form-factor. Also, it has a full featured, on-chip power management unit supporting direct battery (2.3V to 5.5V) connection that is shared between Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and FM without any compromise to power consumption targets.

Broadcom Corp.
www.broadcom.com