Cambridge Consultants gives developers head start in Bluetooth product design with DEVA

New hardware platform enables developers to quickly design and test differentiated Bluetooth products including Apple iPhone accessories and Continua compliant telehealth solutions

February 3, 2010 -- Cambridge Consultants, a leading technology product design and development firm, has today launched DEVA™, the most comprehensive development platform for the rapid development of highly differentiated Bluetooth™ products and mobile accessories. This general-purpose and highly-flexible platform allows electronics and software engineers to rapidly prototype and test accessory products that deliver new features for users before committing to final product hardware. By accessing the full power of the BlueCore-5-Multimedia device from Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR), it enables the development of highly differentiated products that maintain very low product cost. Cambridge Consultants will be demonstrating DEVA at this year’s MWC show in Barcelona 15 – 18 February (Stand 1D62, Hall 1).

DEVA can be used to develop a range of novel Bluetooth products - from mobile phone accessories and headsets, including for Apple’s iPhone, to wireless payment systems, industrial remote control devices, sports activity monitors or telehealth sensors that can be compliant with the Continua Health Alliance’s guidelines.

The DEVA platform has been optimised to work with all of Cambridge Consultants’ existing software tools and libraries, including their generic Bluetooth tool, xIDE for Interface Express, their Continua Compliant wireless health platform, VENA, and their Internet service accessory platform, CatchNet. DEVA can also be used with CSR’s BlueLab development suite.

DEVA provides developers with access to the comprehensive features and processing power of CSR’s market leading BlueCore-5-multimedia chip. DEVA includes a 128x128 monochrome LCD display, three user-interface buttons and LEDs allowing rich user interfaces to be developed for the product. With USB, Serial and MicroSD interfaces for data integration, a range of GPIO, and both digital and analogue stereo audio connection, DEVA can support development of complex products that have the lowest possible cost in their final manufactured form. Being battery powered, DEVA provides a completely wireless experience.

"DEVA has been designed to provide a comprehensive environment for development of sophisticated Bluetooth products,” said Tim Fowler, Commercial Director at Cambridge Consultants. “Not only does it speed the development of new versions of established Bluetooth products such as headsets with added capabilities, but it is also enabling the rapid development of new devices in many more diverse markets - medical applications are one example. We have utilised our extensive experience in this market to deliver a development platform that gives designers a real head start in creating truly differentiated products.”

Cambridge Consultants develops breakthrough products, creates and licenses intellectual property, and provides business consultancy in technology critical issues for clients worldwide. For 50 years, the company has been helping its clients turn business opportunities into commercial successes, whether they are launching first-to-market products, entering new markets or expanding existing markets through the introduction of new technologies. With a team of over 300 engineers, designers, scientists and consultants, in offices in Cambridge (UK) and Boston (USA), Cambridge Consultants offers solutions across a diverse range of industries including medical technology, industrial and consumer products, transport, energy, cleantech and wireless communications.

Throughout 2010, Cambridge Consultants celebrates its 50th year in business. Created by three Cambridge graduates in 1960, the company has grown into a leading technology business, renowned worldwide for its ability to solve technical problems and provide innovative, practical solutions to commercial issues. In 2009, the company was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. For more information visit: www.CambridgeConsultants.com

Cambridge Consultants is part of Altran, the European leader in innovation and high technology consulting. The Group’s 17,500 consultants, operating worldwide, cover the entire range of engineering specialities, including electronics, information technology, quality and organisation. Altran offers its clients ongoing support throughout the innovation cycle, from technology watch, applied basic research and management consulting to industrial systems engineering and information systems. The Group provides services to most industries, including the automotive, aeronautics, space, life sciences and telecommunications sectors. Founded in 1982, Altran operates in 20 priority countries. In 2008, it generated a turnover of €1,650 million. For more information visit: www.altran.com

CSR plc is a leading provider of multifunction connectivity and location platforms. CSR's technology portfolio includes Bluetooth, GPS, FM, Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11), UWB, NFC and other technologies to enable silicon platforms that incorporate fully integrated radio, baseband and microcontroller elements. CSR's Connectivity Centre is designed to enhance the user experience with mainstream mobile devices by intelligent integration of multiple wireless connectivity and location-awareness technologies. CSR's Location Platforms are complemented by wireless connectivity and multimedia capabilities for high-volume mobile consumer devices and commercial applications. CSR's technology has been adopted by market leaders into a wide range of mobile consumer devices such as mobile phones, automobile navigation and telematics systems, portable navigation devices (PNDs), wireless headsets, mobile computers, mobile internet devices, GPS recreational devices, digital cameras, mobile gaming, plus a wide range of personal and commercial tracking applications. More information can be found at www.csr.com

The Continua Health Alliance is a non-profit, open industry coalition of the finest healthcare and technology companies joining together in collaboration to improve the quality of personal healthcare. With more than 170 member companies around the world, Continua is dedicated to establishing a system of interoperable personal health solutions with the knowledge that extending those solutions into the home fosters independence, empowers individuals and provides the opportunity for truly personalized health and wellness management. For more details, see www.continuaalliance.org