Airoha Technology Selects STMicroelectronics' "Dynamic NFC Tag" Memories for its Latest Bluetooth Audio-Module Reference Design

Built-in NFC technology makes pairing a phone with portable speakers a piece of cake

Taipei, Taiwan, June 9, 2014 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications today announced that Airoha Technology, a leading fabless design company for wireless communication products, has selected ST's latest family of "dynamic NFC tag" memories for its Bluetooth audio modules.

ST's M24SR is the key component for Bluetooth pairing and parameter storage on Airoha's AB1510/AB1511 optimized single-chip solution with integrated baseband and radio for stereo and mono-A2DP[1] headset and speaker applications. Instead of the cumbersome device connection setup, users can now simply start streaming dynamic sounds from NFC-enabled smartphones or tablets with a single tap.

"With the increasing demand for NFC in Bluetooth speaker designs, ST's "dynamic NFC tag" memories make it extremely easy for users to pair an NFC-enabled smartphone or tablet with portable speakers to instantly stream high-quality music via Bluetooth," said Arnaud Julienne, Senior Director of MMS, Greater China and South Asia Region, STMicroelectronics. "The cooperation with Airoha has produced the world's first Bluetooth module that takes advantages of our new dynamic NFC tags."

"The 64K EEPROM in ST's M24SR eliminates the need for external EEPROM, reduces the overall module size as well as the development time. The MCU embedded in the new AB1510/AB1511 works well with ST's dynamic NFC tags directly, resulting in fast and easy production, " said Dr. David Chang, President and CEO of Airoha Technology. "Our new audio solutions based on ST's dynamic NFC tag memories have already been adopted by many Tier-1 headset and speaker manufacturers."

AB1510/AB1511 complies with Bluetooth version 4.1. It contains a powerful 48MIPS dual-MAC DSP coprocessor for enhanced audio and DSP applications. The built-in noise reduction and echo cancellation greatly enhance the sound quality in voice applications. The line-input support is used for either wired headsets or speakers. Advanced multipoint supports HFP (Hands Free Profile) connection to two handsets for voice or two audio sources for music playback. The AB1510/AB1511's flexible software architecture enables a wide range of customization in areas such as voice prompt, LED light, key strokes, ring tones, timers, and voice and audio equalization.

The M24SR series provides an NFC Forum Tag Type 4 RF interface and supports the NFC data exchange format (NDEF). This enables NFC use cases such as simple Bluetooth pairing and other connection handovers, automatic links to URLs, storage of Vcard, and other types of information. ST's NFC memories can be used in a wide variety of applications, including consumer electronics, computer peripherals, home appliances, industrial automation, and healthcare products.

Features of the M24SR family include:

NFC Forum Tag Type 4 based on ISO 14443 RF interface1 MHz I²C serial interface operating from 2.7 to 5.5VEEPROM memory density from 2 Kbits to 64 Kbits with built-in NDEF message supportRF disable pin allowing the application to control RF access from NFC phones128-bit password protectionGeneral-purpose output pin allowing flexibility for the applications (wake up on several types of events)Simple antenna design, backward compatible with M24LR series

About Airoha Technology

Airoha Technology is a leading fabless design company for wireless communication products. With the expertise in wireless technologies and low power IC design (in both radio frequency (RF) and mixed signal), Airoha is able to provide highly integrated and cost-effective RF transceivers and chipset for wireless applications. Airoha's product has been widely adopted by a broad base of leading customers in area like computer, networking equipment, consumer electronics and handset.

Further information on Airoha Technology can be found at www.airoha.com.

About STMicroelectronics

ST is a global leader in the semiconductor market serving customers across the spectrum of sense and power and automotive products and embedded processing solutions. From energy management and savings to trust and data security, from healthcare and wellness to smart consumer devices, in the home, car and office, at work and at play, ST is found everywhere microelectronics make a positive and innovative contribution to people's life. By getting more from technology to get more from life, ST stands for life.augmented.

In 2013, the Company's net revenues were $8.08 billion. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

For further information, please contact:

STMicroelectronics
Jennifer Cheng                                         
Corporate External Communications Manager, Greater China
Tel: +886 (2) 6603-2588
Jennifer.cheng@st.com

Airoha Technology

Frank Ku
Product Marketing Manager, Product Business Unit II
Tel: +886 (3) 612-8800

FrankKu@airoha.com.tw

[1] The Advanced Audio Distribution Profile is a Bluetooth profile that enables wireless transmission of stereo audio from an A2DP source (typically a phone or computer) to an A2DP receiver (a set of Bluetooth headphones or stereo system)

ST NFC in Airoha Audio Modules


This announcement is distributed by Nasdaq OMX Corporate Solutions on behalf of NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions clients.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: STMicroelectronics via Globenewswire
HUG#1791513