Laird Technologies Announces Bluetooth Modules For Medical Products

St. Louis, MO - Laird Technologies, Inc. recently announced a new range of Bluetooth® modules designed to support the demands of medical equipment manufacturers.

For two years the medical device community has preferred Bluetooth as the wireless standard for the next generation of interoperable wirelessly-connected medical devices. As a result, a new Health Device Profile created by the Medical Working Group of the Bluetooth SIG will be a key requirement for manufacturers designing products for Continua Alliance Approval.

Through its involvement in the Medical Working Group and customer collaboration, Laird Technologies has developed a new, ground-breaking array of Bluetooth modules that extends its current range to cover almost any wireless medical application. Incorporating pre-approved Bluetooth stacks, these new modules meet the new Health Device Profile and minimize the design effort required to implement short range wireless.

Designed for data applications, the BTM411 is a fully integrated, sub-miniature Bluetooth data-oriented module based on Cambridge Silicon Radio's market leading BC04 chipset. Incorporating a full Bluetooth stack and supporting a serial port profile, the module provides a UART interface and comprehensive AT command set to allow easy interface to a host processor. It is the fastest method of adding a Bluetooth wireless data link to an embedded product.

For medical products that require DSP applications, the BTM520 series offers a wide range of functions including a high-gain, multilayer ceramic antenna that provides +10dBm output and delivers a leading-edge range for multimedia requirements. In addition, the integrated Bluetooth stack provides a comprehensive range of profiles. The 32-bit Kalimba DSP, running at 64MIPS, allows on-board implementation of a variety of advanced applications.

"The medical market is committed to interoperability through the use of the Bluetooth Health Device Profile," said Nick Hunn, Advanced Technology Director of Laird Technologies. "Rather than waiting for its release, we designed a compliant platform that designers can begin using now and can then be upgraded with HDP (Health Device Profile) firmware as soon as the profile is ratified early next year. This allows customers' compliant products get to market faster."

Both new modules are based on the latest Bluetooth standard, Version 2.1+EDR, and deliver the advantage of Secure Simple Pairing. This allows for simpler user interfaces that make products easier to use and, subsequently, reduces support costs. Designed for high reliability, these modules support an industrial operating temperature range of -30ºC to +70 ºC.

For fast and efficient integration, Laird Technologies supplies development kits and tools with all modules, as well as a global FAE network and technical support resources to assist developers in launching their products faster.

One of the leading suppliers of Bluetooth and other short range wireless modules to the medical industry, Laird Technologies' new BTM modules complement and expand our Bluetooth product family with ranges up to 1km.

SOURCE: Laird Connectivity