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, introduced a groundbreaking network topology. The latest innovation, known as Bluetooth Mesh, marks a significant shift from traditional Bluetooth's point-to-point communication model in the second layer of software. Instead, it leverages a mesh network to enable communication between all connected devices.
You might find it surprising that mesh networking and Bluetooth have historically been quite different—especially when compared to recent Bluetooth developments. This is because mesh has become increasingly popular in various wireless topologies, such as the Thread protocol for smart homes and ZigBee, which is widely used for short-range, low-data applications. However, the introduction of mesh doesn't suit 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. While most Bluetooth devices can interact within close proximity, the exchange between specific devices happens along the fastest, pre-set route rather than "flooding" the entire network. On the other hand, in a flooding mesh, every device sends signals to all connected devices simultaneously, similar to using a loudspeaker to broadcast a message.
The initial prototype of the Bluetooth Mesh standard was based on a flooding protocol, but it faced two major challenges: confusion caused by overlapping connections and reduced power efficiency. Fortunately, the Bluetooth SIG has managed to maintain its reputation for energy efficiency while introducing this new standard.
Bluetooth Mesh combines both routing and flooding techniques, allowing controlled communication only among similar devices—such as all the lighting systems in a home—rather than all nearby Bluetooth devices. This approach ensures better organization and efficiency. Since the specification has been refined over time, the widespread adoption of Bluetooth Mesh is expected soon, especially in the Internet of Things (IoT) space.
Initially, Bluetooth Mesh is likely to be adopted in modern smart homes to improve the coordination and performance of similar devices like IoT-enabled lights and kitchen appliances. But its potential goes far beyond that. It could also drive innovation in industrial settings, enhance factory connectivity, and accelerate the development of Industry 4.0.
Dialog’s ICs and SoCs bring the latest Bluetooth low-power technology into the consumer market, enabling seamless and efficient device connectivity that enhances daily life. With the release of these new standards, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation in this field—stay tuned for more exciting developments!