Philips Semiconductors joins forces with Allgon to develop Bluetooth(tm) modules with integrated antennas
Eindhoven, 31 May 2001 - Philips Semiconductors, a division of Royal Philips Electronics, (NYSE: PHG, AEX:PHI), has joined forces with Allgon Mobile Communications, the world's leading supplier of antennas for mobile phones, to develop Bluetooth™ plug and play modules with integrated antennas. The partnership will form part of Philips Semiconductors' ongoing commitment to create an optimized complete Bluetooth solution for mobile handsets.
Philips Semiconductors is working closely with Allgon to develop a cost-effective means of integrating antenna functions into a Bluetooth device. Previously the antenna required a separate component, which demanded careful design-in. By integrating this function into one module, the advantages of cost, size and time to market for plug and play modules will be maximized. Customers will have access to an alternative that is not only smaller, but much easier to design with.
"The market for Bluetooth-enabled telecommunications and computer products is enormous and this venture will be another step on the road towards realizing time to market and miniaturization, key drivers within this market," said Guido de Vocht, business development manager at Philips Semiconductors. "This is another example of how Philips Semiconductors is working hand in hand with industry experts like Allgon, who are leaders in their fields, to offer advanced Bluetooth solutions."
The antenna will be integrated into the Philips Semiconductors TrueBlue 0dBm radio module (BGB100) and does not require any external RF components. The BGB100, which was launched by the company last year, is a compact plug and play radio module offering optimized cost and size. It was recently Bluetooth qualified (1.1 test specification).
About Philips Semiconductors
Philips Semiconductors, which had annual revenues of approximately US$6.3 billion in 2000, designs and manufactures semiconductors and silicon systems platforms. Philips Semiconductors is spearheading the emerging field of systems on silicon solutions with the innovative Nexperia™ platform and VLSI Velocity™ tool set. The company's Sea-of-IP™ design methodology allows plug and play intellectual property blocks for easily customizable products. The company is a leader in communications, consumer, PC peripherals and automotive semiconductors, which are key applications for convergence in end-user products. Philips Semiconductors is headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and has operations throughout the world:
http://www.semiconductors.philips.com/technologies/bluetooth/.
About Allgon
Allgon's business concept is to develop, manufacture and market radio-based solutions and other products for wireless telephony and data communications. Allgon's product range consists of antenna systems for infrastructure in mobile telephone networks; filters, combiners and similar products for base stations; repeater networks; microwave equipment; mobile telephone antennas; wireless local networks and Bluetooth products. Allgon's invoiced sales amounted to SEK 2,696 million in 2000. The number of employees at the end of 2000 amounted to 1,335. Allgon was founded in 1946.
The Bluetooth trademark is owned by SIG, Inc. USA and is licensed to Philips Semiconductors.