Bluetooth wireless Technology is a wireless communications system intended to replace the cables connecting electronic devices. The key features of the technology are robustness, low power and low cost.

The Bluetooth Core System consists of an RF transceiver, baseband, and protocol stack. The system offers services that enable the connection of devices and the exchange of a variety of classes of data between these devices. Many features of the Core Specification are optional, allowing product differentiation.

Begining with v1.2 of the Core System, the Bluetooth Core Specification documents were trasnsferred to a partitioning. Each version of the Core Specification retains the functional characteristics of the previous version of the Bluetooth Core Specification.

The sections below describe the highlights of each version of the Bluetooth Specification. The most recent enhancement, Bluetooth v4.0, is like three specifications in one – Classic Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth Low Energy technology, and Bluetooth high speed technology – all which can be combined or used separately in different devices according to their functionality.

Bluetooth Low Energy Wireless Technology....

On 6 July, 2010, the Bluetooth SIG announced the formal adoption of Bluetooth Core Specification Version 4.0 with the hallmark feature,Bluetooth low energy technology. This final step in the adoption process opened the Bluetooth SIG Qualification Program for qualification of all Bluetooth product types to Version 4.0. Read the full press release.

Thanks to its innovative design, Bluetooth low energy wireless technology consumes only a fraction of the power of Classic Bluetoothradios. This design enables the technology to be used in devices powered by small, coin-cell batteries and, in some cases, makes it possible to operate these devices for more than a year without recharging.

Bluetooth low energy wireless technology, the hallmark feature of the Bluetooth Core Specification Version 4.0, features:

• Ultra-low peak, average and idle mode power consumption
• Ability to run for years on standard coin-cell batteries
• Low cost
• Multi-vendor interoperability
• Enhanced range

Bluetooth low energy wireless technology allows devices such as watches and toys to be enahnced with Bluetooth wireless technology and will also provide the ability for new functionalities to be incorporated in to types of devices that can already be enabled by Bluetoothtechnology such as sports & fitness, health care, human interface (HIDs) and entertainment devices. For example, sensors like those in pedometers and glucose monitors will run only low energy technology. These single-mode devices will benefit from the power savings provided by v4.0 as well as a low cost of implementation. Watches will take advantage of both low energy technology while collecting data from fitness sensors on the body as well as Classic Bluetooth technology when sending that information to a PC, or separately displaying caller ID information when wirelessly connected to a mobile phone. Mobile phones and PCs, which support the widest range of use cases for this new version of the Specification, utilizing the full dual-mode package with Classic, low energy and high speed versions of the technology running side by side.

Learn more about Bluetooth low energy technology, the hallmark feature of Version 4.0 or view the entire Bluetooth Core Specification.

Bluetooth High Speed Technology

In April 2009, The Bluetooth SIG announced the release of Bluetooth high speed technology. The Bluetooth Core Specification Version 3.0 + HS enables the use of a Generic Alternate MAC/PHY, allowing 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.

By isolating the activity from the AMPs, v3.0 enables the use of new radios without full system integration, reducing costs while expanding future build opportunities. This also removes the user from new paradigms, proving existing Bluetooth use cases, only faster and ensuring continuity for the UX experience, lowering costs and reducing training requirements.

The v3.0 + HS enhancement to the Core Specification will provide consumers with powerful, wireless connections that are more robust that ever before.

• Power Optimzation - By using the high speed radio only when you need it, Bluetooth high speed reduces power consumption, which means a longer battery life for your devices.
• Improved Security - The Generic Alternate MAC/PHY in Bluetooth high speed enables the radio to discover other high speed devices only when they are needed to transfer your music, pictures or other data. Not only does this optimize power, but it also aides in the security of the radios.
• Enhanced Power Control - Limited drop-outs are now a reality. The enhanced power control of Bluetooth high speed makes power control faster and ensures limited drop-outs, reducing consumer experience of impacts from power. Users are now less likely to lose a headset connection—even when the phone is in a coat pocket or deep inside a purse.
• Lower Latency Rates - Unicast Connectionless Data improves the customer experience of speed by lowering latency rates, sending small amounts of data more quickly.

Download a datasheet for v3.0 + HS or view the entire Bluetooth Core Specification.

Enhanced Data Rate

Bluetooth Core Specification Version 2.1 advanced short range wireless technology, making it easier for consumers to connect Bluetoothdevices. Pairing devices with v2.1 is as easy as turning on the devices and selecting "add Bluetooth device" from the wireless connections menu. Devices find each other and connect automatically. This enhancement to the Core Specification provided:

• Lower Power Consumption - Reduced power consumption means longer battery life in devices like mice and keyboards. BluetoothSpecification Version 2.1 + EDR can increase battery life by up to five times.
• Improved Security - For pairing scenarios that require user interaction, eavesdropper protection makes a simple six-digit passkey stronger than a 16-digit alphanumberic character random PIN code. Version 2.1 also offers "Man in the Middle" protection that in reality eliminates the possiblity for an undetected third party intercepting information.
• Near Field Communication - The pairing enahncements provided by v2.1 enabled the use of near field communication (NFC).