ICs simplify building of Bluetooth-enabled devices

Two new ICs from STMicroelectronics allow designers to connect an antenna to a Bluetooth transceiver using a single chip, making Bluetooth-enabled products simpler, smaller and easier to build.

The BAL-2593D5U and BAL-2690D3U are integrated baluns, used to convert the antenna signal to a balanced pair of signals as required by the Bluetooth transceiver.

As replacements for traditional baluns built with discrete components, the new devices occupy up to 70 per cent less printed circuit-board area, simplify design and assembly, and ensure better balanced signal channels with low losses, thereby improving wireless performance.

The ICs comprise integrated passive devices fabricated using ST's proven IPD-on-glass process, which delivers more predictable RF performance compared with other integrated baluns, some of which require additional external matching components.

The BAL-2593D5U is optimised for use with the STLC2500D standalone Bluetooth transceiver and STLC2592/3 combo devices, which implement an FM radio tuner, enabling users to listen to radio directly on a Bluetooth headset.

The BAL-2690D3U is designed to partner the STLC2690, a Bluetooth/FM-tuner combo that also adds a short-range FM transmitter, allowing the user to play stored music through a system such as a car radio.

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