Bluetooth headset with Flash memory - BlueVOX Flash - CSR

CSR launched the BlueVOX Flash low cost Bluetooth headset solution. BlueVOX Flash headset is based on the BlueCore4-Audio Flash chip, featuring a high performance Bluetooth radio. BlueVOX Flash headphone solution, integrates CSR’s Bluetooth 2.0+EDR radio and microcontroller solution, with 6 Mbits reprogrammable flash memory and an onchip audio CODEC. BlueVOX Flash Bluetooth headphone chip also includes numerous features including a switched-mode voltage regulator and battery charging circuitry. For development kick starting, CSR also offers SDK(System Development Kit) for this new Bluetooth headset solution.

BlueVOX Flash Bluetooth Headset Development Board

Anthony Murray, CSR, said:

In an increasingly competitive environment, the ability to respond quickly to design demands is a vital differentiator for headset designers. Software designers have their own ideas of how things like the MMI should work, and with CSR's BlueVOX Flash solution, they now own the code and can implement changes, fix bugs and add features fast. BlueVOX Flash addresses the real needs of headset designers and is completely unique in it’s offering in being able to easily migrate to ROM based design for cost savings…

BlueVOX’s onchip flash memory enable emerging Bluetooth headset applications including:

• With BlueVOX Flash, it is possible to give freedom for user to implement their unique user interface. 
• BlueVOX Flash enables new headset applications such as:
  • Bluetooth headsets to support users with both a business and personal mobile
  • Bluetooth headsets to allow users to link to a desk phone at work, and their personal mobile
  • Bluetooth headsets to support connections with a personal mobile, and to a PC for making VoIP calls
• With reprogramable flash, manufacturers will be able to respond quickly to the market demands

BlueVOX Flash Bluetooth headphone key features:

• Onchip microcontroller
• Qualified Bluetooth v2.0+EDR radio and baseband (supports eSCO)
• 6 Mbits Flash memory
• Switch-mode voltage regulator (and a linear regulator)
• 15-bit linear audio CODEC
• 15 lines of programmable I/O (12 digital, 3 analog)
• UART and USB ports
• 8-bit ADC (used for AGC)
• Battery charger with programmable current
• 2 LED drivers(4.2V-tolerant) with intensity control
• 8 x 8 mm 96-ball TFBGA package (complete system can be implemented in <15×15 mm)
• Low power 1.8 V operation (26mW power dissipation when on a call)
• Software developed for BlueVOX Flash will also run with minimal modifications on BlueCore5-Multimedia
• Pin for pin compatibility with a ROM IC

BlueVOX Flash Bluetooth headset solution and the CSR's BlueLab SDK, give developer a full control of the headset software to develop new features and to meet customer requests.

The BlueLab SDK includes full source code for Headset v5, CSR's latest headset software which has been extensively tested by CSR to ensure compatibility with a wide range of Bluetooth phones. These tests include more than 55 popular Bluetooth phones and cover all headset functionality in detail. A full test report is available from CSR, so headset designers can be sure that they are starting from a stable code base.

Reuse of code across BlueCore silicon reduces time to market. Software written for BlueVOX Flash is fully compatible with other silicon in CSR's portfolio, offering an easy migration path to BlueCore5-Multimedia for headset designers wanting to add stereo functionality, echo/noise cancellation or an algorithm from one of CSR's eXtension partners. CSR also offers BlueCore4-Audio ROM, a ROM based chip that is pin for pin compatible with BlueCore4-Audio Flash, providing a quick route to cost reduction.

CSR offer BV-001-3A SDK (development board) (see picture above) and BlueLab HSv5 SDK (software).

The BV-001-3A development board includes all hardware needed to start developing BlueVOX Flash based bluetooth headset . The board connects to a PC via SPI for communications and firmware download. Notes: new users also need to purchase the BlueLab software development kit (SDK). Developers who already own an earlier version of BlueLab can download the latest version of the headset software, free of charge.

BlueLab HSv5 provides software development support for BlueVOX microcontroller. This allow developer to create a hostless Bluetooth solutions. The SDK includes source code for CSR’s headset software (HSv5*).

Source: CSR’s BlueVOX Bluetooth Headset Solution