Broadcom Corporation, a global innovation leader in semiconductor solutions for wired and wireless communications, has introduced two new Bluetooth Smart systems-on-a-chip (SoCs) that are cost-effective for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and enhance the consumer experience with home entertainment and mobile computing technology.

The ubiquitous presence of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth inside digital TVs, over-the-top (OTT) boxes, set-top boxes (STBs), PCs and tablets is leading to a parallel demand for smart devices such as remote controls, keyboards and mice. Broadcom’s new Bluetooth Smart chips, the BCM20734 and BCM20738, apply the company’s connectivity expertise to this growing market.

The BCM20738 is Broadcom’s latest Bluetooth Smart product that lowers the overall bill of materials (BOM) for OEMs in a wide variety of peripherals. The BCM20734 reduces the cost of voice search capabilities on next-generation remote controls for OEMs by integrating analog to digital convertor (ADC) support directly on the Bluetooth Smart chip. It is also the first chip to support both Bluetooth Smart and Bluetooth Classic, enabling high performance even in connected homes with heavy traffic between devices. Consumers can enjoy a seamless connection and ideal experience between a new Bluetooth Smart-enabled keyboard or mouse and an existing PC, even if the model of the PC only supports Bluetooth Classic technology.

“Broadcom continues to innovate in the expanding Bluetooth Smart ecosystem,” said Rahul Patel, Broadcom, vice-president and general manager, wireless connectivity combos. “The new Bluetooth Smart chips for remote controls and peripherals are the ideal complement to our industry leading combo-chips in today’s connected home products, delivering an enhanced experience to consumers at an affordable cost to OEMs.”

Key Features of the product

BCM20734 is the industry’s first dual-mode chip that enables keyboards and mice to interact with  computing platforms over either Bluetooth Smart or Bluetooth Classic

BCM20734 integrates ADC support for voice search capability and reduces the BOM for OEMs

BCM20738 offers OEMs a low-cost solution for single-mode Bluetooth Smart devices

BCM20734 and BCM20738 do not require a second crystal to stay connected during longer periods of device inactivity for additional reduction in system cost

BCM20734 and BCM20738 application development kits (ADKs) enable developers to create varied applications

BCM20734 and BCM20738 support Windows and Android host devices