After having announced their partnership, Atlantik Elektronik and Flaircomm now present the Bluetooth 2.1 module portfolio for the European market. The modules are all based on ICs designed and marketed by Cambridge Silicon Radio. They cover requirements from simple and fast implementation as for example cable replacement in sensors to high quality and complex audio solutions. Beside certification and approval of the modules Atlantik Elektronik’s know-how in Bluetooth applications is a decisive advantage for the customer.
The BTM403 Bluetooth addresses application areas such as barcode readers, RFID scanners, measurement and monitoring systems, industrial sensors and controls, and medical devices. In a very simple case a pair of BTM403 modules can serve as a cable replacement. The class 1 version of the module comes either with an UFL connector for an external antenna or an on-module chip antenna and can cover distances of up to 50m with a transmit power of +17dBm. The class 2 version with an on-module antenna has a reach of up to 10m with a transmit power of +4dBm and according lower current draw. The module itself is based on CSR’s BlueCore4 chip and additional flash memory. Flaircomm’s AT# software drives and controls the BlueCore4 and provides the AT# command set on the UART interface. Different profiles such as SPP, DUN, or HDP can be used adapting this extensive but easily to implement AT# command set. The module has a footprint of 35.3 x 14.0 mm only and is therefore suitable for many applications. Supporting the Bluetooth standard 2.1 + EDR data rates of up to 3Mbps are possible.
For applications such as hands-free kits or stereo headsets the BTM501 with BlueCore5 and flash memory is the right choice. As these applications work in a close proximity environment the module comes as a class 2 solution with +4dBm transmit power and a reach of up to 10m. The balunfilter on the module ensures an optimum changeover from the module to the external antenna. With the connection of the antenna via a pad and microstrip line flexibility against the BTM403 is increased and the size shrinks to only 23.2 x 11.9 mm. Both are important aspect in headsets. In addition the module offers interfaces for a microphone and speakers and additional analog and digital I/Os. The AT# software is extended accordingly and supports here the PBAP, A2DP, OPP, AVRCP, and HS/HF profiles. Both, the BTM501 and the BTM403 can be adapted in terms of software using the CSR development kits. Flaircomm can offer custom specific software versions too.
Finally, the BTM601 is the high-end solution in Flaircomm’s Bluetooth 2.1 portfolio. With an audio interface that can either be configured for PCM or I2S a seamless link towards numerous audio chip sets can be realized. Different from the two other modules, the BTM601 doesn’t hold flash memory, but is based on the ROM variant of CSR’s BlueCore6 chip. Therefore the Bluetooth stack together with the different profiles runs on a host processor. HCI/UART is the standardized interface for potential stacks. Being a class 2 module the distance covered again is up to 10m; the dimensions are 23.2 x 11.9 mm. Addressing hands-free kits in consumer, industrial, and automotive applications the antenna is also external to the module and coupled via a balun filter. Beside their specific characteristics and features these products offer the typical advantages of modules: The design was reviewed, special additional components are already incorporated, very often the carrier board needs fewer layers, and most important: The modules are certified and approved.
