Fractus Extends Bluetooth Connectivity Threshold

By Erik Linask
Associate Editor

Fractals are geometric patterns that repeat at increasingly smaller
scales, such that each subsequent version is a smaller replicate of the
original. They are found in several naturally occurring phenomena
-like lightning and snowflakes - because of the structural
soundness they provide.

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Fractus is a designer of optimized antennas for wireless, using the
unique fractal space-filling and multi-level properties of fractals.
Fractus antennas are used in mobile phones and other wireless
electronics using Bluetooth, WLAN and UWB, and base stations.

Fractus has now announced that it provides antennas for Nextlink's
Bluetooth headsets. The new Nextlink Spider is capable of Bluetooth
connectivity over more than 300 feet - far more than typical
Bluetooth headsets.

The long-range headset contains a built-in microphone that allows the
user to conduct a conversation with far greater flexibility when
connecting to a mobile handset or a PC for use with a Skype (News -
Alert)-type VoIP package.

"The Spider headset transforms the way in which consumers can use
both their desktop computer and mobile phone," said Albert Algans,
Manager, Technical Sales & Marketing at Fractus.

Fractal antenna technology, like naturally occurring fractal patterns,
is geometry-based, which means that Fractus can use standard materials
in constructing its products, minimizing costs.

"When you're looking to miniaturize something like a Bluetooth
headset, the size of the antenna can be the deciding factor," said
Fredrik Olsson, CEO of Nextlink. "Working closely with Fractus and
drawing on their technical expertise, we've been able to design some
of the world's smallest, feature-rich Bluetooth headsets
available."

The Nextlink Spider will be available in retail stores in late Q2 2006.