ACTE announce dual mode Bluetooth Low Energy products from Connect Blue

BASINGSTOKE, U.K. - Oct. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- Building on the huge growth of Bluetooth V4.0 Low Energy (BTLE) applications via the widespread adoption of Bluetooth LE in Apple and Android based smart devices, there is a requirement for solutions that offer transparent serial communication optimized for low data rates at periodic intervals as well as solutions that bridge Bluetooth low energy and Classic Bluetooth communication.

The OBS421 Bluetooth Classic & Low Energy Serial Port Module offers a complete embedded stack and application on board the device, making it ideal for replacing serial cables, up to 100 metres wirelessly or accessing UART devices using Bluetooth classic or low energy technology with the unique Connect Blue low energy serial port service.

Bluetooth low energy technology was introduced with the Bluetooth V4.0 specification and is rapidly being integrated in smartphones, tablets and other mobile platforms thanks to its extremely low power consumption, unique characteristics and new features. Bluetooth low energy is ideal for applications with low data rates at periodic intervals such as health, sports, industrial and sensor applications.

Classic Bluetooth is optimized for streaming data at medium to high rates of up to 2.1Mbps. Bluetooth low energy has inherited features such as Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFP) from classic Bluetooth but operates on lower data rates of up to 260kbps. Both Bluetooth standards operates on the globally accepted 2.4GHz ISM band frequency but on different, dynamically controlled channel spacings to avoid oversaturation on particular frequencies.

David Taylor, PR Manager of ACTE comments “ OBS421 is another first from Connect Blue in providing a dual Bluetooth functionality for areas where both techniques are required. With a long life guaranteed and industrial grade components, Connect Blue offer 10+ years field use on the Bluetooth stack ensuring future proof dependability.”

OBS421 is available with either on board antenna or U.FL connector for off board antenna applications. OBS421 modules are fully Bluetooth qualified and radio type approved for Europe, Japan, US and Canada. OBS421 is footprint compatible with other 2.4GHz Bluetooth, WLAN and ZigBee modules in the Connect Blue range.

Connect Blue® is a leading provider of robust Industrial and Medical wireless solutions, designed and tested for the most demanding applications and environments. Based on Classic Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth low energy technology, Wireless LAN (WLAN) andIEEE 802.15.4 / ZigBee, Connect Blue provides ready-to-use products and modules as well as custom design solutions. Connect Blue has its head office in Sweden.

ACTE U.K is a specialist wireless electronic components distributor and a division of the €250M turnover Lagercrantz Group. Offering “best of breed” modular and sub systems covering GSM, GPRS, 3G, Bluetooth and WLAN technologies, ACTE have specialist staff with many years knowledge in the wireless sector and are backed up by the world class facilities of the Lagercrantz Group.

For more information about Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth low energy technologies, please visit www.connectblue.com/technologies/bluetooth-low-energy-technology  or contact David Taylor at ACTE U.K on +44 1256 845888 or visit www.acte-uk.com