ALPS Develops and Commences Mass Production of “UGZZF Series” Bluetooth®/Wireless LAN All In One Module for Automotive Use

“All In One” Module with Specifications, Software and Antenna

Munich, Germany, January 26, 2015 – ALPS has developed the “UGZZF Series” Bluetooth®/Wireless LAN All In One Module* for Automotive Use, ideal for wireless connection between automotive equipment, such as car navigation systems, and mobile devices. Mass production began in December 2014. Smartphone functionality is being constantly enhanced and a shift from 3G to 4G LTE as the main communication standard has made high-speed, high-capacity data communication possible. This has given rise to a host of new services making use of cloud-based data, a trend creating spillover effects for the automotive electronics market. Car navigation, display audio and other automotive systems incorporate Bluetooth® communication functionality for such features as hands-free calls and music playback using a smartphone or similar device. In recent years, however, wireless LAN is increasingly being added to enable high-speed communication with cloud networks via LTE-capable smartphones. Additionally, systems which use Bluetooth®, as modules that also contain an antenna, must have Bluetooth® SIG certification, as well as any certification specified by radio legislation in each country. This necessitates spending an enormous amount of time and effort on examination and testing. Furthermore, many car audio and other automotive systems have CPUs with low processing capability, feeding demand for modules with integrated Bluetooth® protocol stack and wireless LAN driver. ALPS has responded to these needs, developing the antenna-integrated UGZZF Series Bluetooth®/Wireless LAN All In One Module for Automotive Use. By incorporating the Bluetooth® protocol stack into the module, ALPS takes responsibility for obtaining for the module both Bluetooth® certification and certification required by regional radio legislation. The module is also equipped with a wireless LAN driver, enabling Wi-Fi connections without burdening the host CPU. Supporting both Bluetooth® and wireless LAN communication with a single package, the module meets the requirements of a wide range of customers and also helps to reduce the antenna and system design and testing, software development and certification workload of equipment manufacturers. RF and simulation technologies acquired by ALPS over the years were applied to optimize circuitry affecting anenna characteristics, allowing integration of the antenna into the module. ALPS has produced more than 25 million automotive Bluetooth® All In One modules to date and the addition of the new UGZZF Series to the lineup provides further impetus for commercialization of products that meet the needs of the market. Features “All In One” module with specifications, software and antenna Supports both Bluetooth® and wireless LAN specifications Antenna integration helps to reduce the antenna verification workload of equipment manufacturers Built-in wireless LAN driver helps to reduce host CPU load Supports Wide Band Speech, enabling higher quality sound of Bluetooth® hands-free calls Principal Applications Wireless communication between car audio or navigation systems and mobile devices Other communication devices for automotive use Specifications Model: UGZZF Series Dimensions (W×D×H): 28.0 × 29.0 × 7.2mm Host interface: SDIO 2.0 Audio interface: PCM, I2S Wireless LAN: IEEE 802.11b/g/n Bluetooth®: Bluetooth® 4.0 Transfer speed: 1 – 3Mbps Operating temperature: -40 to +85°C * All In One module: A module containing lower (RF and baseband) through to upper (communication protocol) Bluetooth® layers, enabling implementation of all processes with a single package. For more information on the new the product please visit http://www.alps.com/products/e/npv_product/150121_UGZZF/UGZZF_E.PDF

ALPS Electric Co., Ltd. ALPS Electric (Tokyo: 6770) is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality electronic components for mobile devices, home electronics, vehicles and industrial equipment. With the philosophy of “Perfecting the Art of Electronics” ALPS Electric supplies over 40,000 different components to about 2,000 companies all over the world. For more information, visit www.alps.com. ALPS ELECTRIC EUROPE GmbH, a subsidiary of ALPS Electric Co., Ltd., was established in 1979. Since 2013 the European Head Office has been located in Munich and as such co-ordinates the Sales, Marketing and Product Engineering activities of our branch offices in Munich, Düsseldorf, Paris, Milton Keynes, Gothenburg as well as our sales office in Milan.