Widespread use of Bluetooth Mesh is just around the corner
Guangzhou Yunge Tianhong Electronic Technology Co., Ltd , http://www.e-cigaretteyfactory.com
In early August, the Bluetooth Technology Alliance (Bluetooth SIG), the organization responsible for developing new Bluetooth specifications and standards, unveiled an innovative network topology. The latest standard, known as Bluetooth Mesh, marks a significant shift from traditional point-to-point communication in Bluetooth’s second-layer software. Instead of relying on direct device-to-device connections, Bluetooth Mesh enables communication between all connected devices through a mesh network.
You might be surprised to learn that mesh networking and Bluetooth have traditionally been quite different, especially compared to recent Bluetooth advancements. This is because mesh has gained popularity in various wireless topologies, such as Thread—a protocol used in smart homes—and ZigBee, which is widely used for short-range, low-data applications. However, mesh networking isn't suitable for every use case.
There are two main types of mesh networks: routing mesh and flooding mesh. In a routing mesh, each device follows a predefined path for communication. Although most Bluetooth-enabled devices can communicate over short distances, the interaction between specific devices is based on the fastest, pre-determined route rather than broadcasting to all connected devices. On the other hand, in a flooding mesh, every device sends signals to all connected devices, similar to how a loudspeaker broadcasts sound to a crowd.
The initial prototype of the Bluetooth Mesh standard was based on a flooding protocol, but it faced two major challenges: confusion among interconnected devices and inefficiency in power consumption. However, the Bluetooth SIG has addressed these issues, ensuring that the new standard maintains high power efficiency, a key technical advantage of Bluetooth technology.
Bluetooth Mesh has evolved by combining both routing and flooding methods, offering controlled data transmission. It allows only similar devices—such as all Bluetooth-connected lighting systems in a home—to communicate in a structured way, rather than broadcasting to all nearby Bluetooth devices. As this specification has matured over time, widespread adoption of Bluetooth Mesh is now just around the corner, especially in the Internet of Things (IoT) space.
Initially, Bluetooth Mesh is expected to be widely used in modern smart homes, improving the efficiency and synchronization of similar devices like IoT lighting and kitchen appliances. But its potential goes far beyond that. It could revolutionize industrial connectivity, support innovation in smart factories, and accelerate the development of Industry 4.0.
Dialog’s ICs and SoCs bring the latest Bluetooth low-power technology to the consumer market, enabling seamless device connectivity and enhancing daily life with greater convenience. With the launch of this new standard, we’re committed to driving further innovation in the field—stay tuned for more exciting developments!