Hardware-independent Bluetooth software offers easy-to-integrate platform for Purple Labs

"Bluetooth-related functionality has undoubtedly become an important driver in mobile phone markets", adds Steve Pearce, software development manager at Cambridge Consultants. "Developers need to be able to act fast to meet the evolving demand for mobile phone functionality, and Interface Express and BlueStack provide a versatile platform to support OEMs and ODMs operating in this dynamic market".

The profiles and protocol stack - Interface Express and BlueStack - are optimised for deeply-embedded applications with limited hardware resources. The software offers a highly efficient and simple-to-apply platform for embedding Bluetooth at minimal cost, an approach that has resulted in major success - with implementations on around half of today's qualified Bluetooth designs.

Interaction between profiles and the host application is reduced through an optimised API design. For example, a single API call registers a profile, providing a multitude of settings such as security, device visibility and service discovery records. Such features minimise the need to understand Bluetooth protocol specifications in detail, and can substantially speed product development. The software also features a compact and efficient memory management subsystem, giving developers complete control over how much system RAM is used by the Bluetooth firmware.

The load on the host's processing resources is also minimised by 'zero copy' data transmission and reception functionality, which ensures that data is not copied unnecessarily between RAM locations. This attention to detail helps make it easy to add Bluetooth to existing designs, and to expand the capabilities of the Bluetooth system with minimal impact on the host processor.

Interface Express and BlueStack have been engineered for portability, and will run on virtually any platform and operating system. Among the processors that the software has already been ported to are ARM, Calypso, HC6811, MIPS, XAP and V850. The list of operating system implementations includes Windows, WinCE, QNX, Linux, Nucleus Plus and Bare-board. The software also comes with its own real-time scheduler, making it easy to use without an operating system - providing significant savings for cost-sensitive products.

The library of application profiles available to OEMs is extensive and includes: A2DP, BIP, BPP, CTP, DUN, FAX, FTP, HCRP, ICP, HFP, HID, HSP, LAN, OPP, PAN, PBAP, SAP, SPP and SYNC. This wide choice includes many key utilities for realising emerging wireless products for markets outside of the core mobile phone and headset Bluetooth applications, such as HFP and SAP (Hands free and SIM access) for automotive applications, and CTP (cordless telephony) for home applications.

In addition to providing software tools for developers employing Bluetooth as a peripheral to an embedded system, Cambridge Consultants offers a powerful tool called xIDE for Interface Express for developing hostless, single-chip applications. This provides a development environment for the XAP microcontroller integrated in CSR's market-leading Bluetooth device family, BlueCore.

About Purple Labs
Purple Labs is a design company founded in 2001 and based in the south of France. It is part of Vitelcom Mobile Technology group, the Spanish mobile phone manufacturer that recently licensed the exclusive rights to Grundig mobile brand.

The company offers fully integrated solutions for handset designs. Its comprehensive solutions (from entry level to smartphone) allow both network operators and phone manufacturers to quickly address market demands and segment their offer. Purple Labs expertise includes definition, design, development and validation of products (hardware, software and integration). In addition, it covers complete user interface customisation and manufacturing support. Working with pre-defined but modular platforms, Purple Labs enables its customers to deliver cost-effective and state-of-the-art mobile handsets within an optimised lead time.

For more information, visit www.purplelabs.com

About Cambridge Consultants
Cambridge Consultants has, for over 40 years, enabled its clients to turn business opportunities into commercial successes, whether launching first-to-market products, entering new markets or expanding existing markets through the introduction of new technologies. We develop breakthrough products, create and license intellectual property, and provide business consultancy in technology critical issues for clients worldwide. With a team of over 200 engineers, scientists and consultants, in offices in Cambridge (UK) and Boston (USA), we
are able to offer solutions across a diverse range of industries including healthcare, industrial and consumer products, automotive, transport, energy and wireless communications.