MindTree's Bluetooth Protocol Stack is now Version 2.0 BQB Qualified

Also showcases its latest Bluetooth technology and UWB offerings at Wireless Connectivity Americas

Santa Clara -- November 9, 2005 - MindTree Consulting, a leading provider of Bluetooth Intellectual Properties (IPs) and solutions, today announced that it has qualified its Bluetooth technology EtherMindTM protocol stack for the Bluetooth 2.0 specification. The qualification was conferred by the Bluetooth Qualification Body, the specific body with the Bluetooth Special Interest Group with the mandate for qualifying Bluetooth technology IP, silicon and products.  

MindTree is one of the select independent Bluetooth software IP vendors in the world to have attained this milestone. With more than 26 design wins across its silicon and software IP portfolio till date, MindTree is fast adding new customers and leveraging its proven, mature and leading edge Bluetooth offerings.

With Bluetooth v2.0 allowing for higher data rates, up to 3 times faster than that of Bluetooth v1.2, applications such as audio streaming from a Dolby® 5.1 surround system, or file transfer of large image files from a mobile phone camera, would provide an enhanced user experience. MindTree’s v2.0 qualification would also mean that its protocol stack customers would be able to deliver such increased performance while consuming less power and placing less strain on the battery life of mobile devices.

“With global Bluetooth silicon vendors such as CSR RFMD, Broadcom and TI shipping v2.0 silicon in volumes, consumers are ready to embrace the next wave in Bluetooth technology, focusing on increased throughput and performance-for-power metrics. With also backward compatibility with v1.2 devices, v2.0 devices will open up new vistas for applications such as wireless transfer of large files to laser printers, substantially increase the number of wireless peripherals that can be driven from a PC, and rapidly increase demand for the ‘converged cordless phone’. As a global IP player in the Bluetooth space, we are demonstrating that we are keeping pace with the latest developments in Bluetooth technology, and are looking at our v2.0 qualification to leverage the explosive demand across all product ranges of Bluetooth technology offerings” said S. Janakiraman, MindTree President and CEO, R&D Services.  “Our leadership and expertise in Bluetooth technology IP and solutions, and our continuous investment and commitment to the roadmap is paying off in a significant manner.

In related news, at WiCon Americas in Santa Clara last month, MindTree  demonstrated its Bluetooth technology baseband controller and stack IPs including latest advancements related to application profiles, platform support, stereo headset, car kit, mobile terminal and GPS vertical markets and the Bluetooth v2.0 specification. Also, a major highlight of the showcase was snapshots of the Ultrawideband program - that MindTree is investing in to logically extend its leadership in the short range wireless technology domain. With a featured talk on UWB technology and a MAC software demonstration, the MindTree exhibition booth generated tremendous interest in visitor traffic from leading corporations at the WiCon.

MindTree Research focuses on building MindTree’s competence in the short range wireless technology domain with a view to create licensable building blocks to help customers achieve cost and time-to-market benefits. Incubated within MindTree as a core body of engineers and technologists in year 2000, MindTree Research has invested over 300 person years in Bluetooth technology. It offers one of the most complete suites of Bluetooth-based solutions in the industry, which includes the EtherMind™ 2.0 Upper Layer Stack and Profiles, and the BlueWiz™ 1.2 Baseband Controller. The recently launched UWB program would offer the UltraWiz MAC/ digital PHY layers which would support a maximum data rate of 480 mbps, along with other software IPs that are fully compliant to WiMedia specifications. The UltraWiz digital PHY IP may be easily integrated with WiMedia compatible Analog Front End (AFE) and RF blocks.

MindTree Research is part of MindTree’s R&D Services business which combines expertise in semiconductor IP, hardware and software to offer complete product realization services. MindTree addresses the needs of the Communication, Wireless, Industrial Automation and Consumer Appliances industries to create their next generation products backed by strong domain expertise in ASIC / SoC Design, IP development, board, system and embedded software development.

About MindTree

MindTree Consulting is an international IT company that delivers affordable business and technology solutions through global software development. Co-headquartered in Somerset, NJ and Bangalore, India, the company approaches technology initiatives in a business context, with the industry knowledge of a seasoned management team and employees exceptionally skilled in technology, business analysis and project management.  MindTree Consulting develops applications to help companies enhance their enterprise operations.  The company also delivers R&D services and designs re-usable building blocks for hi-tech companies.  MindTree is the world's youngest company to be assessed at Level 5 in both CMMi and P-CMM.  MindTree has been ranked among the top five Great Places to Work in 2004 in a study conducted by Grow Talent Company and Businessworld.  MindTree has also been rated as one of the Best Employers in India for the second consecutive year in 2004 by Hewitt Associates.  Please visit www.mindtree.com for more information.