The Bluetooth integrated circuit, or simply Bluetooth, is a short range, low power networking technology that creates a high speed wireless link to connect portable or peripheral devices such as phones, headsets or printers to each other, to a computer or to a handheld device. Unlike wireless links created via infrared technology, the Bluetooth circuit doesn't require an unimpeded line of site access between the connecting devices to work. When an integrated circuit Bluetooth communication channel is initiated, a piconet is formed and functions as an intranet with one master and up to seven slaves, or receiving devices.

The Bluetooth market is divided into three areas. There are products aimed at developers, such as chips. Personal area networking equipment are products already Bluetooth enabled marketed toward users, such as headsets. Finally there are security products for securing the Bluetooth wireless connection from hack attacks.

1. Include tools for developers of Bluetooth integrated circuits technology into your product offering.

2. Offer tools for ICs Bluetooth personal area networking to your clients.

3. Incorporate a wide range of ICs Bluetooth enabled peripheral devices into your product offering.

4. Protect Bluetooth ICs with hacker-proof security products.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Become a Bluetooth IC distributor of Bluetooth developer tools

Developers from the Bluetooth software engineer to the consumer retail application Bluetooth IC manufacturer benefit from these product offerings.

I recommend: Apply for the CSR partner program and become a distributor of CSR's BlueCore7 Bluetooth chips. CSR's BlueCore7 chips integrate Bluetooth wireless connectivity with low energy demand, FM radio reception and GPS reception and transmission in a single chip suitable for embedded mobile consumer applications. CSR also provides a complete line of developer tools including circuit boards and developer kits. Contact Broadcom Corporation for its Bluetooth enhanced data rate (EDR) chip sets that boast extreme data rates with very low power demand. Its Blutonium RF silicon gives clients significant Bluetooth IC cost advantages while maintaining high performance and maximum integration advantages. Broadcom also provides clients with its development kits for Bluetooth developers.

Provide Bluetooth ICs voice and data access points for networking

These voice and data access points provide clients with ICs over Bluetooth networking capability.

I recommend: Try Anycom Technologies for their EDR-AP Bluetooth access point that connects Bluetooth enabled PCs, phones and PDAs to local networks and the Internet. The EDR-AP is equipped with enhanced data rate technology and supports marketing campaigns that "push" messages to cell phones. Include Bluegiga Technology's access servers that enable Bluetooth networking of up to 21 devices simultaneously, support all Bluetooth profiles and include a packet filtering firewall.

Supply standard Bluetooth enabled peripheral devices for a well-rounded product line

These products are Bluetooth enabled peripheral devices with strong market demand.

I recommend: Contact ZBA Inc., a Bluetooth IC supplier of wireless data collection hardware, to provide a range of handheld and fixed point bar code scanners, such as retail scanners, portable and fixed mount data scanning terminals and magnetic strip readers. Offer your clients a the M10 Bluetooth headset circuit that Argard bills as the "world's smallest Bluetooth headset." Browse Argard's full line of headsets for commercial and personal applications.

Consider supplying Bluetooth ICs security products

These products keep Bluetooth wireless connections safe from hack attacks so your clients' business files and personal information remain secure.

I recommend: Get started as an Utimaco Software partner. Utimaco's SafeGuard PortProtector manages security presented by Bluetooth network endpoints. The SafeGuard PortProtector monitors every network connected peripheral for information leakage, monitoring the network in real time and applying customized security. Become a GuardianEdge Technologies "trusted technology partner" for access to its entire data protection platform for data moving across Bluetooth networks, including networked PCs, removable storage and smart phones.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Bluetooth IC manufacturers continually strive to reduce the amount of power required to establish and maintain the Bluetooth wireless connection. The less power a connection drains from your system or peripherals, the better.