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| CSR Launches BlueICE to Expand Wireless Peripheral Market CSR has launched a software solution which is set to transform wireless PC peripherals from a premium after-market purchase to a mass market standard, bundled with new PCs. The company's BlueCore Input Connection Enhancement (BlueICE) will allow Bluetooth keyboards and mice using BlueCore silicon, to connect with the host PC simply by adding batteries. It will also allow them to be used during boot-up, before the operating system has loaded, negating the need for a reserve wired keyboard. This feature means that wireless peripherals can now be bundled as standard with PC shipments, expanding the total available market for wireless keyboards and mice to approximately 340million units, bringing it in line with the 2006 PC sector TAM of 169MU (source: DECISION Etudes & Conseil). BlueICE is a collection of software developed specifically to work with BlueCore4-EXT in wireless keyboards, mice and the host interface (either built into a PC or housed in a dongle). Using BlueICE for all three components of the desktop PC system allows advanced features of the software, such as Auto-Connect, to be utilised. The user simply adds the batteries to the mouse and keyboard. Thanks to CSR's BlueICE software, the devices will then be found automatically by the host Bluetooth module. Users can also delete any existing pairing information, discover new devices, or activate the auto connect function by pushing a button on the host module and peripheral devices. At start up, BlueICE switches the host module to HID proxy mode allowing the BlueCore host module to present itself on the USB bus as a USB composite device containing a keyboard and mouse. In this mode, the BlueICE firmware implements the HID profile internally allowing the keyboard and mouse to work without the Bluetooth software stack being accessible. Once the operating system has fully loaded, HCI (Host Controller Interface) mode is enabled and the BlueCore host module presents the HCI interface on the USB bus. The host module can also be switched automatically to operate in regular Bluetooth mode enabling Bluetooth connections to other Bluetooth enabled devices. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Networking News :: home page |