CSR and Realtek partner to deliver Bluetooth v3.0 + HS and 802.11n into PCs and netbooks

CSR (LSE:CSR) today announced that it has partnered with one of Taiwan’s leading wireless communication IC design houses, Realtek, to deliver a family of Bluetooth v3.0 + High Speed (HS) and 802.11n module designs for the PC and netbook markets. These CSR PC BlueCore-based designs support the latest Bluetooth SIG specifications to enable high data transfer speeds by using the PC’s Wi-Fi radio to cope with larger file sizes. In addition to its implementation of the CSR9000 platform, already driving Bluetooth v3.0+HS in embedded markets, CSR is now also enabling complete wireless solutions for the PC market using the CSR PC BlueCore in partnership with Realtek.

The PC and netbook markets are a growing opportunity for CSR’s Bluetooth silicon. This partnership with Realtek forms an integral part of CSR’s ongoing strategy in the PC market and elsewhere to provide the benefits of Bluetooth and other short range wireless technologies to as many customers as possible.

Bluetooth’s huge success and high attach rate in mobile devices has been down to its ease-of-use, power-efficiency and flexibility. Bluetooth v3.0 + HS builds on this success with the Alternate MAC/PHY (AMP) specification which combines the best of two technologies; the familiar interface and the option of low-power operation inherent to Bluetooth, and the speed of Wi-Fi. Thanks to the AMP architecture defined by the Bluetooth SIG, these new modules can switch between CSR’s PC BlueCore Bluetooth radio and Realtek’s Wi-Fi radio seamlessly while transferring small or large files such as word documents or videos from a notebook to a handset. In this way the modules can ensure maximum speed and power efficiency while only presenting one unified interface to the user.

"CSR was amongst the first companies to qualify a Bluetooth v3.0 + HS product and this partnership is the next step in delivering the high-speed, power efficient data transfer rates of Bluetooth v3.0 to the PC and netbook markets,” said Anthony Murray, Senior Vice President of CSR’s Audio and Consumer Business Unit. "Our strategy through this partnership is to give our customers the flexibility to combine our best-in-class Bluetooth platform with their preferred Wi-Fi supplier.”

"Thanks to the partnership with CSR we can offer our customers a low cost and highly effective way to integrate the latest Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology,” said Luke Huang, Vice President of Realtek Communications Network Business Unit. "CSR is a market leader in Bluetooth and its silicon contributes to our module delivering industry-leading connectivity to PC and netbook users.”

Realtek’s 802.11n single-chip in 65nm LP process technology combines with CSR’s PC BlueCore to enable fully designed PCIe half minicards with high speed Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to benefit PC and netbooks users.

-ends-

About CSR

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

This press release contains certain statements (including statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or performance, or assumptions related thereto) that are ‘forward looking statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in relation to the new Bluetooth v3.0 + HS and CSR9000 technologies for PCs, partnerships with certain third parties as stated in the press release and related events and their potential effects on CSR. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as ‘growing opportunity’ and other similar expressions, including statements relating to: "switch..seamlessly”, "maximum speed and power efficiency” Timing of the availability of the technologies is subject to change. Any future release of the product or planned modifications to product capability, functionality or features are subject to ongoing evaluation by CSR and third parties, and may or may not be implemented and should not be considered firm commitments by CSR and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. Performance metrics stated are proven in a research environment and are not guaranteed in all environments.

Such forward-looking statements represent the current expectations and beliefs of management of CSR, and are based upon numerous assumptions regarding CSR’s business strategies and the environment in which CSR will operate and are not guarantees of future performance. Such forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks, contingencies, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of CSR. Our actual performance and results may differ materially from those contemplated in our forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, including competition, global economic conditions, product performance, demand, our ability to effectively market our products, ability to effectively bring new products to market, achieve market acceptance for our products and the success of our customers, potential disputes involving third parties, our patents or intellectual property, uncertainties related to business or industry, Bluetooth and WiFi products and services, and risks associated with the semiconductor industry and other business strategies, as well as the risk factors described in our other public disclosures. Each forward looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof. CSR does not undertake to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein, otherwise than required by law.