Holtek Semiconductor Develops Wireless 2.4 GHz Phone Controller Chipsets Utilizing Nordic Transceivers

Oslo, Norway -- Nordic Semiconductor ASA announced that Taiwan's Holtek Semiconductor Inc. has developed two MCU-based wireless Skype phone controller chipsets that include - and have been optimized for use with - Nordic's 2.4 GHz nRF24L01 transceivers.

The Holtek HT82A850R comprises wireless baseband 8-bit OTP MCU with CODEC, high frequency audio amplifier functions for use with 4 Ohm speakers, 4K x 15 program memory and 384K x 8 data memory capacity, and power down functionality. The Holtek HT82A851R is similar but includes in addition a USB Audio Device Class compatible interface. Both of these wireless Skype phone chipsets are intended to support rapid and simplified design-in cycles in third party Skype handsets operating on the globally applicable 2.4 GHz license-free ISM band frequency. The chipsets also build on the capabilities of Holtek's existing HT82A832R hard-wired USB Skype phone solution.

The 16 I/O pin HT82A851R has an operating voltage of 4 to 5.5 V and the 24 I/O pin HT82A850R an extended 3 to 5.5 V range to target battery-powered applications.

The nRF24L01 transceivers endow Holtek HT82A850/1R chipset-based Skype handsets (or other applications such as high functional toys and PC wireless communications) with a range of at least 10 meters and provide a reliable wireless link even when obstructions such as people, desks and chairs are between the handset and receiver connected to the user's PC. In addition, because the HT82A851R is pre-certified to the USB Audio Device Class, no additional software drivers are necessary allowing the user to connect the Skype phone to almost any PC with a USB interface and use the product immediately.

"We selected the nRF24L01 transceivers for our HT82A850/1R chipsets because of their ultra-low power characteristics, ease-of-use, link reliability and 2 Mbit/s air data rate," explains Steven Yeh, engineering department manager at Holtek. "In addition, Nordic's expertise in 2.4 GHz wireless applications was a big advantage during development, easing the design challenge and shortening time to market."

"The HT82A850/1R wireless Skype phone USB chipset is a great application fit for the Nordic nRF24L01," adds Chim Chan, Nordic's regional sales manager for Greater China and South East Asia. "We are pleased that Holtek recognized the numerous capabilities of this transceiver and as such decided to design it into its latest Skype product."

SOURCE: Nordic Semiconductor ASA