Bluetooth wireless technology, the global standard for short range wireless communications, is celebrating its 10th birthday this year. At the Mobile World Congress, centered around the mobile phone, the Bluetooth SIG expands on its strategy to create wireless connections to the mobile phone with ultra low power Bluetooth technology and high speed Bluetooth technology which is being made possible using elements of IEEE 802.11 and ultra wideband.

Dubbed the ‘Bluetooth umbrella’ by Dr. Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the approach strives to make efficient use of selected features from other wireless standards aimed at a wide range of applications with the familiarity and ease-of-use of classic Bluetooth technology.

“The umbrella approach will enable the mobile phone user to connect to the widest possible range of products using Bluetooth technology in dramatically new and unique ways made possible by our work with alternate radio solutions,” said Foley. “Heart rate monitors, pedometers, watches and television sets are only a few examples that soon can be connected via the already familiar Bluetooth technology, strengthening the role of the mobile phone as the personal device used at every occasion.”

Wireless transfer of large format entertainment data between devices at short range is imminent.  The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) announced a new way it will provide for consumers’ growing need for speed. The Bluetooth SIG is developing an innovative method of radio substitution. It will allow the well known Bluetooth protocols, profiles, security and pairing to be used in consumer devices while achieving faster throughput with momentary use of a secondary radio already present in the device.  This architecture, called ‘Alternate MAC/PHY’ by Bluetooth SIG members working on the specification, is taking on a two-phased approach as SIG member companies drive the specification forward.

In 2006, the Bluetooth SIG announced the selection of the WiMedia Alliance brand of ultra wideband technology as a high speed channel for Bluetooth technology.  This development work continues between the two organizations in advance of widespread ultra wideband technology adoption – expected to be co-located in many Bluetooth devices.  In the meantime, however, the SIG will make use of IEEE 802.11, a technology already present in many of the devices demanding greater speeds.

This two-phased roadmap for higher speeds will allow for a steady evolution in Bluetooth devices utilizing the presence of 802.11 today while continuing preparations for the presence of ultra wideband in the near future. “We’re committed to speedy wireless personal area network connections and we’ll always be looking for the best near term and long term way to accomplish that,” adds Foley. “The greatness of a generic alternate radio architecture being developed is that it’s adaptable.”

Near Field Communication

Near Field Communication (NFC) is an ultra short-range wireless technology enabling data transfer between devices over a few centimeters distance. It is incorporated in the 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) version of Bluetooth wireless technology as one way to facilitate a quick and easy initial pairing between devices by simply holding them together.

In 2007, the Bluetooth SIG announced that Wibree, developed by Nokia, would become ultra low power Bluetooth technology. Aimed at devices with very low battery capacity, like watches, sport/fitness and health care applications, ultra low power Bluetooth technology will allow manufacturers within those segments to use a long awaited, globally standardized wireless technology.