Cypress partners with software supplier Widcomm in Bluetooth

Cypress partners with software supplier Widcomm in Bluetooth
By Semiconductor Business News
March 5, 2002 (1:19 p.m. EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20020305S0019

SAN JOSE -- Cypress Semiconductor Corp. here today announced a joint-development pact with San Diego-based Widcomm Inc. to create next-generation Bluetooth wireless connectivity solutions. As part of the agreement, Cypress will license Bluetooth software from Widcomm.

"This alliance will further strengthen Cypress's entry into the Bluetooth market," said Geoff Zawolkow, managing director of the company's Personal Communications Division. He said collaboration with the Bluetooth software supplier will help Cypress offer products as new applications for short-range wireless technology emerge in the future.

Cypress is gaining access to Widcomm's BTE (Bluetooth Embedded Software) and BTE development tools. Engineers at four-year-old Widcomm will work with Cypress development teams to create customized Bluetooth solutions for chip customers, said the two companies.

"The two [companies] complement one another in functional expertise," said Andreas Malzach, vice president of marketing and general manager of Widcomm's European operations. The alliance combined Cypress's experience in personal communications and manufacturing with Widcomm's expertise in short-range wireless connectivity software.

Terms of the licensing agreement were not released.