In the realm of the Internet of Things (IoT), one of the main priorities is low-power connectivity. This is the crucial role of Bluetooth, because many IoT devices are powered with batteries that work for a certain amount of time.
To extend the battery life and the overall daily usage of IoT devices, Bluetooth mustn’t deplete them. It’s aiming toward this direction that Bluetooth has evolved, and this is where we are with its 5.4 version.
Let’s explore what this means for the IoT realm, and what other options are out there in terms of low-power connectivity.
Bluetooth’s 5.4 end-goal
As we stated above, from the moment this technology was implemented in devices, the ultimate goal has been to reduce its power consumption so that battery-operated devices can have a long battery life without compromising quality. With the introduction of Bluetooth Low Energy in 2009, wearable technology like fitness trackers and wireless sensors could function accurately on minimal power.
Subsequent versions, like Bluetooth 5.0, have expanded their capabilities in two key fields: range and speed. All of this, without sacrificing its low energy profile. Bluetooth 5.4 has introduced a few key improvements from its previous models. Let’s explore them.
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How does Bluetooth 5.4 compare?
Bluetooth 5.4 builds upon its predecessors by introducing several key enhancements:
- Bi-directional communication: this is one of the most important enhancements in Bluetooth 5.4. It’s possible now to communicate with thousands of end nodes from a single access point. One of the market niches that will benefit the most from this improvement is the Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) field.
- Periodic advertising with responses: with this improvement, technology will be able to support massive star-sized networks on minimal power and efficiently. This means that PAwR can organize devices into groups so that each group can only listen to the messages meant for it. This reduces confusion and makes it possible to support the massive networks we previously mentioned.
- Encrypted advertising data: thanks to this enhancement, any device can “see” the locked message, but only devices with the right key (shared earlier) can unlock and read it. This keeps the data safe and private.
What lies beyond Bluetooth 5.4?
SIG, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, continues to innovate in this field. The company has already announced the Bluetooth 6 standard. According to the company, this new standard brings on “true distance awareness”, which they’ve named “Channel Sounding”, making it easier to locate devices and to perform all the other tasks we’ve mentioned before.
However, they’re currently focusing their efforts on a protocol that was already present in Bluetooth 5.2, but with a new and promising evolution: Auracast.
Auracast is, to put it simply, a feature that allows people to have shared audio experiences, pairing multiple devices efficiently. For people who have to give or attend conferences, and for people in museums and other group activities, this is especially beneficial.
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Final thoughts
Bluetooth 5.4 is one aspect of the innovation in wireless communication between devices. As technology evolves, so do these protocols.
In the next few years, we can anticipate more efficient, safe, and reliable Bluetooth-enabled devices, further interconnecting our world. What are your thoughts?