CSR partners with a leading manufacturer to drive adoption of Bluetooth v3.0 + HS and 802.11n in PCs and netbooks

CSR (LSE:CSR) today announced that it has partnered with fast-growing PC Wi-Fi manufacturer Ralink to enable a new Bluetooth/802.11n PCI Express (PCIe) design. The design utilises CSR’s PC BlueCore, that supports the new Bluetooth v3.0 + High Speed (HS) protocol and which adds the ability to use the PC’s Wi-Fi radio to achieve higher data transfer speeds. Alliances such as this are an integral part of CSR’s strategy to provide the benefits of the latest Bluetooth standards to a broad customer base. They enable wide adoption of Bluetooth v3.0+ HS in the PC market, which CSR sees as a growth area for Bluetooth. Ralink is already sampling fully designed PCIe half minicards that integrate CSR’s PC BlueCore.

With its implementations of the CSR9000 platform already driving the embedded Bluetooth v3.0+ HS in embedded markets, CSR in partnership with Ralink is now enabling complete wireless solutions for the PC market using CSR’s PC BlueCore with partner PC Wi-Fi products. Bluetooth is already the most successful short-range connectivity technology in mobile phones, with Bluetooth now integrated into roughly 65% of new handsets in 2009. Whilst Wi-Fi is expected to be integrated into 95% of netbooks by the end of this year.

Bluetooth v3.0+ HS utilises the Alternate MAC/PHY (AMP) architecture specification defined by the Bluetooth SIG to increase the ease-of-use for the end-user when transferring larger files. It is a best-in-class combination of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technologies. Bluetooth v3.0 combines the best of both worlds; the familiar interface and the option of low-power operation inherent to Bluetooth, and the speed of Wi-Fi. Bluetooth v3.0 + HS is fully backwards compatible with previous Bluetooth versions.

Using the AMP specification, the software stack controls both CSR’s Bluetooth and the PC’s Wi-Fi radios in order to effect faster and more power-efficient transference of large files. The user need only interact with the usual Bluetooth interface. The Wi-Fi radio can be activated ‘behind the scenes’, with no need for the user to worry about which particular radio technology is used, for instance, to transfer a large video file from a handset to a PC.

"The PC and netbook markets represent a growing opportunity for CSR and through our alliance strategy, we are giving our customers the flexibility to combine our best-in-class Bluetooth platform with their preferred Wi-Fi supplier,” said Anthony Murray, Senior Vice President of CSR’s Audio and Consumer Business Unit. "We look forward to bringing the benefits of our most widely adopted Bluetooth technology and the new Bluetooth v3.0 standard to the mainstream users of PCs and netbooks, thereby making it easier for them to share and transfer data.”

Dr. Horen Chen, President of Ralink, commented: "With this partnership we can offer a simple, elegant, low-cost way for customers to quickly integrate the latest standards of both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Users can enjoy a seamless experience, with the potential for certain applications to utilise the Wi-Fi radio for higher transfer speeds without prompting. No longer need a user worry about which technology he needs; our module will ‘just work’ for optimum speeds.”

-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

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT

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/802.11n PCI Express (PCle) modules 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 ‘strategy’, ‘fast developing’, ‘growth area’, ‘growing opportunity’ and other similar expressions, including statements relating to: "higher data transfer speeds, best in class combination, faster and more power efficient transference of large files”. Timing of the availability of the modules 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.