Bluetooth’s wireless networking prospects received a shot in the arm last week with the introduction of Widcomm Inc.’s shoebox-sized BlueGate 1000, a standalone Bluetooth wireless access point for original equipment manufacturers to purchase and customize.
Widcomm is touting the BlueGate network access point as the “crown jewel” of its Bluetooth wireless products, explaining it can link as many as seven Bluetooth-enabled devices and connect to any standard broadband modem through an Ethernet interface.
“Even if several Bluetooth access points exist in the market today, none are standalone solutions like BlueGate,” said Rajiv Kumar, chief technical officer of San Diego-based Widcomm. “In fact, other access point manufacturers currently use Widcomm’s software technology to complete their own solutions.”
Integrated into the access point is a high-speed Internet and local area network gateway that permits Bluetooth wireless devices to synchronize with Internet service provider or LAN client-server applications at speeds of up to 723 kilobits per second. The gateway provides enhanced transmitter and receiver sensitivity, allowing extended operation of the radio link up to 100 meters.
The independent nature of the device also allows it to be plugged into an Ethernet system running transmission control protocol/ Internet protocol without the need for a separate local personal computer for power or to run a Bluetooth software stack. This makes the access point easy to deploy in most enterprise or public settings, Widcomm said.
Kumar noted the BlueGate family is fully compliant with Bluetooth 1.0 standards, and said he was confident it would comply with Bluetooth 1.1, expected to be ratified later this year. The devices also feature flash memory, allowing software upgrades using file transfer protocol.
Widcomm said BlueGate is in field trials with multiple beta customers and is planned for delivery with the company’s BlueConnect module for the Handspring Visor and Bluetooth Protocol Software Suite for Windows.
While BlueGate seems readymade for enterprises looking to implement a Bluetooth solution for employees, Widcomm is looking for a percentage of its customers in the home market, including electronics manufacturers hoping to implement Bluetooth in home electronics equipment.
Widcomm also announced a deal with wireless systems integrator Stellcom Inc. that the companies said would reduce time to market for Bluetooth wireless solutions.
The deal allows Stellcom to be the premier North American wireless integrator of Widcomm’s Bluetooth software and protocol stack. The agreement also grants Stellcom access to Widcomm’s porting services, current and future versions of Bluetooth software, as well as royalty-free licenses.
“This alliance offers a huge competitive advantage because we are combining our senior-level engineering knowledge,” said Tracy Trent, president and chief executive officer of Stellcom. “Together, the combined methodologies will result in a faster time-to-market for devices and enterprise solutions that will seamlessly connect a user from a personal area network to a wireless local area network.”
