Laird Technologies Announces Groundbreaking Bluetooth® Modules for Medical Products

New range of modules removes complexity and delivers the latest Bluetooth features for medical device manufacturers who require Health Device Profile.

St. Louis, Missouri, USA – November 17, 2008 – Laird Technologies, Inc., a global leader in the design and supply of customized, performance-critical components and systems for wireless and other advanced electronics, today announced a new range of Bluetooth® modules designed to support the demands of medical equipment manufacturers.

For two years the medical device community has preferred Bluetooth as the wireless standard for the next generation of interoperable wirelessly-connected medical devices. As a result, a new Health Device Profile created by the Medical Working Group of the Bluetooth SIG will be a key requirement for manufacturers designing products for Continua Alliance Approval.

Through its involvement in the Medical Working Group and customer collaboration, Laird Technologies has developed a new, ground-breaking array of Bluetooth modules that extends its current range to cover almost any wireless medical application. Incorporating pre-approved Bluetooth stacks, these new modules meet the new Health Device Profile and minimize the design effort required to implement short range wireless.

Designed for data applications, the BTM411 is a fully integrated, sub-miniature Bluetooth data-oriented module based on Cambridge Silicon Radio’s market leading BC04 chipset. Incorporating a full Bluetooth stack and supporting a serial port profile, the module provides a UART interface and comprehensive AT command set to allow easy interface to a host processor. It is the fastest method of adding a Bluetooth wireless data link to an embedded product
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For medical products that require DSP applications, the BTM520 series offers a wide range of functions including a high-gain, multilayer ceramic antenna that provides +10dBm output and delivers a leading-edge range for multimedia requirements. In addition, the integrated Bluetooth stack provides a comprehensive range of profiles. The 32-bit Kalimba DSP, running at 64MIPS, allows on-board implementation of a variety of advanced applications.

“The medical market is committed to interoperability through the use of the Bluetooth Health Device Profile,” said Nick Hunn, Advanced Technology Director of Laird Technologies. “Rather than waiting for its release, we designed a compliant platform that designers can begin using now and can then be upgraded with HDP (Health Device Profile) firmware as soon as the profile is ratified early next year. This allows customers’ compliant products get to market faster.”

Both new modules are based on the latest Bluetooth standard, Version 2.1+EDR, and deliver the advantage of Secure Simple Pairing. This allows for simpler user interfaces that make products easier to use and, subsequently, reduces support costs. Designed for high reliability, these modules support an industrial operating temperature range of -30ºC to +70 ºC.

For fast and efficient integration, Laird Technologies supplies development kits and tools with all modules, as well as a global FAE network and technical support resources to assist developers in launching their products faster.

One of the leading suppliers of Bluetooth and other short range wireless modules to the medical industry, Laird Technologies’ new BTM modules complement and expand our Bluetooth product family with ranges up to 1km.

About Laird Technologies, Inc.

Laird Technologies designs and supplies customized, performance-critical products for wireless and other advanced electronics applications.
The company is a global market leader in the design and supply of electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, thermal management products, mechanical actuation systems, signal integrity components, and wireless antennae solutions, as well as radio frequency (RF) modules and systems. The company’s wireless products group, formed by the acquisition of AeroComm, Inc. and EZURiO, LTD., provides a wide range of wireless modules, along with M2M and telematics solutions.

Custom products are supplied to all sectors of the electronics industry including the handset, telecommunications, data transfer and information technology, automotive, aerospace, defense, consumer, medical, and industrial markets.

Laird Technologies, a unit of Laird PLC, employs over 14,000 employees in more than 40 facilities located in 14 countries.

For technical information, contact Nick Hunn at nick.hunn@lairdtech.com or download high-resolution images of these products at Laird Technologies’ EZURiO website:
BTM411 – www.ezurio.com/files/00705.jpg
BTM520 – www.ezurio.com/files/00707.jpg

For sales, contact your nearest Laird Technologies representative:
Americas : 800 492.2320
Europe : +44 1628 858 940
Asia : +852 2268 6567
Internet: www.lairdtech.com/wireless
e-mail: wirelessinfo@lairdtech.com

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© 2008 All rights reserved. Laird Technologies and its logo are trademarks of Laird Technologies, Inc. Other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein, may be trademarks of their respective owners.