CSR ready to unleash the power of Wi-Fi Direct™ with release of CSR9100™

The interconnected world gets a boost with CSR’s new Wi-Fi Direct-ready products

Cambridge, UK - CSR today announced that its latest connectivity platform CSR9100 is ready for Wi-Fi Direct. Wi-Fi Direct is an exciting new standard from the Wi-Fi Alliance that defines new ways for Wi-Fi devices to connect to each other. It allows users to easily turn their phones into mobile hotspots, providing the ability to share files from device to device or use another device’s 3G data pipe.

The CSR9100 connectivity platform is designed to meet the requirements of the Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi Direct certification as well as support for the latest Bluetooth standards. With support for Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy, and HD Voice (Wideband Speech) as well as Wi-Fi Direct, the CSR9100 product range is now uniquely positioned to address a broad range of customer needs.

The Wi-Fi Direct standard allows for two modes of operation. The first allows a device to act as an access point (AP), also commonly known as a hotspot, allowing a number of Wi-Fi stations and devices to connect to it and share services. This functionality also enables the “mobile warrior” use case in which users can share 3G or 4G data pipes with a number of stations connected to it via Wi-Fi. The second mode of operation is based on point-to-point where Wi-Fi devices will be able to make direct connection groups to do things like print, sync, and share content, even when an access point or router is unavailable. This option for a direct, fast data connection offers users maximum convenience.

Mobile network operators are already aware of the value of hotspot functionality, and have already launched a number of devices to support it. Hotspot devices give operators the option to generate increased revenues, whether due to the additional data traffic or through an additional monthly subscription fee, while at the same time offering end-users maximum flexibility and convenience in how they connect.

“CSR has always believed in the standardisation approach to technology as a key driver for mass adoption, and Wi-Fi Direct is consistent with our vision to enhance the consumer experience by making Wi-Fi connectivity more intuitive,” said Kanwar Chadha, Chief Marketing Officer at CSR. “With our extensive experience in Bluetooth peer-to-peer connectivity, we look forward to helping our customers to successfully implement this new standard, and bring their products to market quickly.”

Connections based on the specification will work at typical Wi-Fi speeds and range, protected by WPA2™-certified security protocols and including WMM® Quality of Service mechanisms. Wi-Fi Direct will also offer end users comprehensive support for legacy devices, interoperability, and security that proprietary implementations of ‘soft access points’ generally do not. The “power save” features supported by Wi-Fi Direct will also deliver a significant improvement in handset operating time.

At the heart of CSR9100 is CSR’s Synergy for Android (SfA) software, CSR’s complete plug-and-play connectivity package for Android that includes support for Bluetooth, FM, Wi-Fi and GPS and is fully qualified to v3.0 of the Bluetooth specification. SfA is designed to ensure that CSR’s latest Wi-Fi Direct-enabled products fully support the latest of Android releases including 2.2.

Wi-Fi Direct will also be supported through CSR’s new standalone Wi-Fi products, CSR6030 and CSR6031.

Both the CSR9100 connectivity platform and the CSR6030 and CSR6031 products are already in design–in stage with a number of CSR customers, and end-products are expected to be on the market in 2011.

About CSR

CSR plc is a leading provider of multifunction connectivity and location platforms. CSR’s technology portfolio includes Bluetooth, GPS, FM, Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11), UWB, NFC and other technologies to enable silicon platforms that incorporate fully integrated radio, baseband and microcontroller elements. CSR’s Connectivity Centre is designed to enhance the user experience with mainstream mobile devices by intelligent integration of multiple wireless connectivity and location-awareness technologies. CSR’s Location Platforms are complemented by wireless connectivity and multimedia capabilities for high-volume mobile consumer devices and commercial applications.

CSR’s technology has been adopted by market leaders into a wide range of mobile consumer devices such as mobile phones, automobile navigation and telematics systems, portable navigation devices (PNDs), wireless headsets, mobile computers, mobile internet devices, GPS recreational devices, digital cameras, mobile gaming, plus a wide range of personal and commercial tracking applications.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements (including statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or performance, or assumptions related thereto) that are ‘forward looking statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in relation to the release of CSR’s connectivity platform CSR9100 for Wi-Fi Direct, and other future events and their potential effects on CSR. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as ‘will’, ‘will allow,’ ‘will provide,’ ‘made possible,’ and other similar expressions regarding the performance characteristics of CSR’s connectivity platform CSR9100 for Wi-Fi Direct, and related products. Any future release of CSR’s connectivity platform CSR9100 for Wi-Fi Direct, related products or modifications to such products’ capability, functionality or feature are subject to ongoing evaluation by CSR, and may or may not be implemented and should not be considered firm commitments by CSR and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. Such forward-looking statements represent the current expectations and beliefs of management of CSR, and are based upon numerous assumptions regarding CSR’s business strategies and the environment in which CSR will operate and therefore involve a number of known and unknown risks, contingencies, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of CSR. Each forward looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof. CSR does not undertake to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein, otherwise than required by law.