Bluetooth updated for mesh networking

16 August 2017 Editor's Choice News Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

A highly anticipated mesh networking standard has been introduced to the Bluetooth specification by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the body responsible for the technology’s standards.

The mesh networking specifications, as well as the tools required to qualify Bluetooth products with mesh networking support, are now available at the Bluetooth website. Bluetooth mesh networking operates on Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) and is compatible with core specification version 4.0 and higher.

The new mesh capability enables many-to-many (m:m) device communications and is optimised for creating large-scale device networks. It is ideally suited for building automation, sensor networks and other IoT solutions where tens, hundreds or thousands of devices need to reliably and securely communicate with one another. A big draw card for Bluetooth mesh networking is that it can support additional services, such as asset tracking and way finding.

The standard adopts a full-stack approach that defines the low-level radio up to the high-level application layer, ensuring all aspects of the technology are fully specified. The crucial aspect of multi-vendor interoperability will be ensured through testing conducted during the specification development process, not after specification release.

For more information visit bluetooth.com/mesh

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