Ralink's 802.11n plus Bluetooth combo passes Bluetooth 3.0 + HS qualification

HSINCHU, TAIWAN: Ralink Technology, a leading developer of high performance wireless solutions, announced that its 802.11n plus Bluetooth combo solution (RT3090BC4) has completed Bluetooth 3.0 + HS qualification by the Bluetooth Qualification Board (BQB).

Targeting notebooks, netbooks and high-volume consumer PC platforms, the RT3090BC4 delivers an unparalleled level of intelligent coexistence between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. With support for high-performance Bluetooth 3.0 + HS functionality, this product catapults wireless mobile products from partners such as MSI Computing of Taiwan into a new level of multimedia capability by enabling Bluetooth 3.0+HS with data rates of up to 150Mbps, while maintaining the simplicity of Bluetooth device detection and setup.

With an optimized bill of materials, simplified design, and integrated manufacturing and testing procedures, the joint solution delivers significantly lower cost and power than discrete Wi-Fi and Bluetooth products.

“We are pleased to expand our partnership with Ralink into the fast growing mobile PC market,” said Jean Huand, Senior VP of MSI. “With its advanced R&D and early investment in the ‘next generation’ of Bluetooth/Wi-Fi co-location technology, Ralink is far ahead of its competition with this Bluetooth 3.0 + HS certified 802.11n plus Bluetooth combo module for PCs. Once again Ralink has demonstrated that it is at the forefront of the wireless market, with high performance, reliable, and cost-effective Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth technology,” Jean added.

The growing popularity of slim, ultra-compact mobile PCs has sparked demand for highly-integrated, co-located wireless solutions. To ensure optimal compatibility between WLAN and Bluetooth, the RT3090BC4 combo solution incorporates a sophisticated coexistence algorithm for improved harmony between co-located WLAN and Bluetooth radios.

It dynamically adjusts WLAN and Bluetooth transmissions to reduce interference, and it responds automatically to the presence and operating characteristics of nearby Wi-Fi Access Points. This results in 80 percent faster WLAN throughput compared to competing WLAN plus Bluetooth combo devices for PCs.

The RT3090BC4 is a highly integrated solution that eliminates redundant components required for discrete 802.11n and Bluetooth modules including antennas, connectors, printed circuit boards, cables, and radio shielding, delivering more than 20 percent cost savings over competing WLAN plus Bluetooth combo products. PC OEMs also benefit from reduced manufacturing costs through easier assembly, faster testing, and simpler inventory control.

The RT3090BC4 supports the 802.11n standard as well as BQB certified Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, the leading-edge version of Bluetooth which was announced earlier this year. The solution incorporates support for Motorola’s consumer-friendly user interface and 22 Bluetooth profiles including high-performance multimedia capabilities such as stereo audio, video streaming, and rapid digital photo transfers for personal area network (PAN) applications.

"Ralink's Wi-Fi solutions are featured in millions of desktop and portable PCs worldwide, as well as the entire ecosystem of WLAN products including retail networking, broadband connectivity, and consumer electronics devices," said Dr. Horen Chen, President of Ralink Technology. "The RT3090BC4 WLAN plus Bluetooth combo solution enables manufacturers to quickly move into the new Bluetooth 3.0 + HS era and increase revenues.”

Ralink’s 802.11n technology is shipping in more than 650 products from customers in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and across all major Wi-Fi market segments including personal computers, retail access points and adapters, DSL and cable modem gateways, televisions, Blu-ray players, web cameras, digital photo frames, and IPTV set-top-boxes. Dozens of customers across these segments ship WLAN products using Ralink’s innovative, high-performance Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 802.11n chipsets.