Plextek designs Bluetooth module for Eleksen fabric keyboard

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Press Release

Plextek designs Bluetooth module for Eleksen fabric keyboard

1.8V Class 2 module prolongs battery life

Cambridge, 6 February 2006: Plextek has designed one of the first 1.8V Class 2 Bluetooth modules for Eleksen for use in its ElekTex™ fabric keyboard for smart phones and handheld computers. The module consumes less than half the power of the previous generation of Bluetooth modules, therefore prolonging battery life. 1.8V operation enables the Bluetooth module to be powered by two AA or AAA batteries without the need for a switch mode power supply. The cost-efficient module design uses a printed antenna and CSR ROM BC3 device.

The module is designed to be reflowed directly onto the PCB of the host product, which removes the need for a connector. The CSR device incorporates all the necessary software for the module therefore a separate memory device isn't needed to store these programs, saving cost. The design constitutes another step in the progression of Plextek Bluetooth modules, the first of which was designed almost five years ago for Psion.

The ElekTex fabric keyboard is a full laptop-size keyboard that weighs less than 68 g. It rolls up to 126 mm long x 44 mm wide and 32 mm thick and has a battery life of 10 hours constant typing.

About Eleksen:

Eleksen Ltd. is the world leader in touch sensitive interactive textiles for electronics interface design. The company's core technology, ElekTex®, is a unique electro-conductive fabric touch pad optimized for the creation of flexible, durable and rugged fabric touch screen interfaces. ElekTex® is used in applications ranging from wearable electronic controls for consumer electronics and industrial wear to lightweight, low-power touch interfaces for CE accessories, telematics, military, transportation and space suits. It replaces the hard touch pads, flexi-circuits and polymer switches which have limited the growth of the wearable electronics markets. Eleksen licenses ElekTex® and reference design to manufacturers for use in custom electronics design and also markets a range of ready-to-integrate solutions for garment, bags and accessories manufacturers.

The company is backed by an impressive list of investors: 3i, MTI, MVI, Siemens Venture Capital, Vesta Capital Partners and Wireless Frontiers. Eleksen is headquartered in Pinewood Studios near London, England and in Waltham, Massachusetts near Boston.

Further information:
Johanna Hughes, Plextek Ltd, London Road, Great Chesterford, Essex CB10 1NY.
Tel: +44 (0)1799 533200. Fax: +44 (0)1799 533201. Email: jlh@plextek.co.uk
Website: www.plextek.com

Press information:
Gerald Cross, EML, The Albany Boathouse, Lower Ham Road, Kingston, KT2 5BB.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8408 8000. Email: plextek@eml.com

Issued 06/02/2006