"This is aimed at products that currently use only one-way RF functions," said Jeff Robillard, product marketing manager for the Ottawa, Canada-based company. Keyless entry devices for cars, remote control units for home entertainment systems, wireless sensors and PDAs are applications that can benefit from a two-way device. "Using one-way technology limits the features that can be implemented, but adding two-way capabilities increases the features an OEM can offer," said Robillard.

The single-chip, Multi-Purpose RF data transceiver (MuRF) can send data in the 1- to 10-kbit/second range, and consumes 8 to 10 milliwatts of power, which, said Robillard, is less than half the power required in a two-chip device offering both functions. The Philsar product is the only chip available that delivers two-way communication in a single device, he said.

Systems based around discrete transmission and receive devices require several other discrete chips as well, and Robillard said that adding both to a single chip allows OEMs to cut the total bill of materials by 30 to 50 percent, allowing for smaller overall system layouts. Reducing the size, cost and power consumption are key factors for adding two-way features to one-way applications.

While new features may be attractive to OEMs, increased security is another factor that could drive the need for two-way systems. In keyless entry devices for cars, for example, two-way chips allow for better encryption technology, which could prevent thieves from figuring out how to crack the security algorithms. "It's just a matter of time before somebody figures out how to hack those things," Robillard said. Home security, utility meter reading and medical monitoring in health care facilities could also benefit from adopting two-way communication, and all demand lower costs and power consumption, he said.

While MuRF can be used in all those systems, Joe Rouse, director of marketing for Philsar, said that the new owners at Conexant are very interested in using the technology with Bluetooth-enabled PDAs. Bluetooth is a medium-bandwidth, short-range wireless format that can link PDAs and other electronic devices to a PC or network, allowing users to move information easily between their main computer and their portable systems. Cost, power and size are key variables in the equation of how to push Bluetooth into the mainstream.

Conexant recently said it would acquire Philsar in a stock-swap valued at nearly $200 million. Philsar will become a business unit within the Newport Beach, Calif. company, and although Conexant has its own manufacturing facilities, Philsar will continue to operate as a fabless venture, using IBM Corp. as a foundry for its analog parts.

'It became obvious to Conexant that our technology would complete their portfolio of wireless products," said Rouse.