- Industry's first ultra-small process short-range wireless communication solution to lead next-generation wireless innovation
- Provides best power efficiency with 40nm CMOS process
- Supports various embedded security elements or SIM cards for contactless payment and security applications
- Provides simplified connectivity for innovative data/video transmission, pairing, and connection between devices

September 29, 2011 – Broadcom, a global wired and wireless semiconductor company, announced today a new family of NFC (Near Field Communication) chips. This new family from Broadcom meets all the requirements of OEMs to accelerate NFC adoption in consumer electronics through a powerful combination of power, size, and functionality.

Broadcom’s newly introduced BCM2079x is the industry’s smallest yet most power-efficient NFC solution. Utilizing 40nm CMOS technology, the BCM2079x reduces power consumption by over 90% compared to existing models, while minimizing footprint by 40% and reducing the number of components by 40%. Furthermore, the NFC controller is a platform that supports various security elements and SIM cards, either individually or simultaneously. Broadcom’s advanced Maestro™ middleware is expected to bring new innovations to user interfaces and media sharing by enabling new NFC applications to utilize on-device Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities.

The accelerated adoption of NFC could transform the uses of smartphones. Moving forward, it will be possible to connect quickly and easily with devices such as Bluetooth headsets and Wi-Fi-based digital TVs, extending beyond contactless mobile payments. The widespread adoption of NFC makes smartphones more useful. Furthermore, as connections between devices become safer and easier, the range of new applications expands, and services on mobile phones become available with just a single touch.

The key features of the newly introduced NFC product family are as follows.

 Reduction in power consumption
o Reduces polling power consumption by more than 90% using Broadcom’s innovative low-power technology with a low-power target detection mode, extending battery life.
o To enable transactions even when the phone battery is depleted, support for securing wireless power allows energy to be drawn from the given environment.

 Reduction of die space requirements and design complexity
o The industry's smallest chip integrates more external components, reducing the BOM cost of the entire solution.
o Broadcom’s InConcert® BCM4330 Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and FM combo chip provides a comprehensive connectivity solution that is easy to use.
o It is an end-to-end solution that reduces design complexity and provides more creative connectivity options, while also shortening time-to-market with Broadcom’s complete software, such as Maestro™ middleware.

 Providing support and flexibility for all business models and future wireless innovation
o It is the only NFC controller that integrates transaction-based application IDs to simultaneously support multiple security elements (including both SIM and non-SIM) within a single device.
Multiple SWP (Single Connection Protocol) interfaces enable the integration of standards-based SIMs and embedded security elements.
Broadcom is working closely with the NFC Forum, which defines and promotes standards to ensure interoperability with other NFC devices.

John Devlin, Director of the Security and Identification Group at ABI Research, stated, "Broadcom is already demonstrating technological leadership by adopting technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in smartphones and other consumer electronics." “In addition, we have solidified our position in the industry by leading the supply of wireless connectivity combo chips to mobile phone manufacturers,” he said. “We expect that the features and capabilities of the newly introduced solution will also enable Broadcom to demonstrate technological leadership in the NFC field.”

In addition, Craig Ochikubo, Vice President and General Manager of Broadcom’s Wireless PAN Business, stated, “Broadcom is striving to make NFC available anytime, anywhere, just like today’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.” He added, “Broadcom’s solutions provide features and performance that will bring innovations significantly transforming the mobile consumer experience. Broadcom’s leadership and technological prowess in wireless connectivity provide chips with the performance required by OEMs. This enables NFC to be easily integrated into designs by providing new chips through new architectures.”