News | April 22, 2014

TI Brings Leading Bluetooth® Smart Technology To Automobiles For Smartphone And Wire-Replacement Applications

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SimpleLink™ CC2541-Q1 wireless microcontroller delivers new automotive use cases through low power, reduced cost and simplified design

Dallas PRNewswire/ - Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) today announced the SimpleLink™ Bluetooth® low energy CC2541-Q1, a highly-integrated wireless microcontroller (MCU) that delivers low power, low cost, and simplified automotive connectivity to emerging smartphone-controlled and wire-replacement applications. The CC2541-Q1 leverages the success of TI's broad-market Bluetooth Smart solution (SimpleLink CC2541) and automotive connectivity offerings for combo Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth and GNSS (WiLink™ 8Q) and dual-mode Bluetooth (BL6450Q).

The CC2541-Q1 is targeted at an emerging market of new automotive features aimed at using Bluetooth Smart technology to make it easier for consumers to get information and control automotive systems. These new features include:

  • Smartphone-controlled applications:
    • Keyless entry using a Bluetooth Smart Ready smartphone or Bluetooth Smart key fob, either standalone or in conjunction with TI's leading car access solutions
    • Lighting controls to deliver ambient, clustered and programmable LED lighting
    • Diagnostic information to help users understand engine warning lights
    • Services with iBeacon technology for fast discovery and easy pairing with in-car Bluetooth Smart technology
  • Wire replacement, which reduces weight and cost, and in turn increases fuel economy in:
    • Wireless infotainment controls in the steering wheel
    • Low data rate systems for control, personalization settings and alerts via smartphone
    • Bluetooth Smart remotes for rear seat entertainment systems

The SimpleLink CC2541-Q1 is based on TI's market leading CC2541 which is deployed today in a wide variety of applications spanning consumer, industrial, medical and home applications worldwide. The CC2541-Q1 is a complete solution with TI's BLE-Stack™ software and sample applications including over-the-air download support for in-field updates.

SimpleLink Bluetooth low energy CC2541-Q1 features and benefits

Features

Benefits
  • Full system solution:
    • Integrated wireless MCU
    • Royalty-free TI protocol stack, profile software and sample applications
    • Development kits, technical documents and worldwide support
  • Early realization of low-power, single-mode Bluetooth Smart sensor applications
  • Controller, host and application with integrated Flash on one 6 mm x 6 mm device
  • Supports analog and digital peripherals
  • Flash-based firmware can be updated in the field and persistent data can be stored on-chip
  • Planned support for Bluetooth 4.1 as well as proprietary modes at 250Kbps, 500Kbps, 1Mbps and 2Mbps
  • Simplified design with one-chip, integrated and flexible solution
  • Applications can be written directly onto the CC2541-Q1
  • Ultra-low power Bluetooth low energy operation
  • Less than 1 microamp (mA) of sleep current with RTC and RAM retention
  • Can operate on a coin cell battery
  • Low average power allows application to remain on while the automobile is off
  • 95 dB link budget
  • Best-in-class coexistence with other 2.4 GHz devices
  • Link reliability supports high performance applications
  • -40 to 105 degrees C temperature rating
  • Performance in extreme conditions faced in the automotive market

Pricing and availability
The SimpleLink Bluetooth low energy CC2541-Q1 wireless MCU is sampling now and is expected to be available in volumes in 3Q 2014. To speed time to market of Bluetooth Smart automotive designs, CC2541 development kits can be used including the evaluation module kit, mini development kit and SensorTag development kit. For pricing information, please contact your local TI sales representative.

Texas Instruments drives automotive innovation
TI's state-of-the-art semiconductor products allow manufacturers and system suppliers to deliver world-class features to the automotive market. Our extensive automotive portfolio includes analog power management, interface and signal chain solutions, along with DLP® displays, ADAS and infotainment processors, Hercules™ TMS570 safety microcontrollers and wireless connectivity solutions. TI offers SafeTI™ parts designed to facilitate OEMs' compliance with the requirements of ISO 26262, as well as parts specifically designated as compliant with the AEC-Q100 and TS16949 standards, all with excellent product documentation. Visit TI's Automotive page or TI E2E™ Behind the Wheel Blog to learn more about our commitment to automotive innovation.

Find out more about TI's automotive connectivity solutions

About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) is a global semiconductor design and manufacturing company that develops analog ICs and embedded processors. By employing the world's brightest minds, TI creates innovations that shape the future of technology. TI is helping more than 100,000 customers transform the future, today. Learn more at www.ti.com.

Trademarks
DLP is a registered trademark and SimpleLink, WiLink, BLE-Stack, Hercules, SafeTI, and TI E2E are trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

Source: Texas Instruments

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