Though not commonly known among many consumers, Bluetooth® technology is constantly and consistently advancing to include more features, widening the inclusion of device types that can benefit from Bluetooth connectivity, and progressing the evolution of a world without wires.
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) typically has more than 50 active specification development projects at any given time. These projects include everything from adding minor features to existing Bluetooth specifications to creating new specifications that add major functionality to Bluetooth wireless technology.
A good example is the work currently in progress to add additional capabilities and features to Bluetooth LE Audio. Released only a few years ago, ongoing work on Bluetooth LE Audio is in motion to further enhance the next generation of wireless audio.
Bluetooth LE Audio Project Enhancements
Bluetooth LE Audio represents an entirely new platform for supporting audio applications on Bluetooth technology. Beyond enhancing existing Bluetooth applications like wireless calling and media, Bluetooth LE Audio is set to drive innovation in wireless audio for decades to come. Currently, there are three categories of Bluetooth LE Audio advancements in progress: standardization of specific capabilities, sound exposure, and enhancements to Auracast™ broadcast audio.
FEATURED PAPER
Bluetooth® Channel Sounding: A Technical Overview
This paper provides an overview of the forthcoming update to the Bluetooth® Core Specification. The update adds Bluetooth Channel Sounding, a new feature that enables secure fine ranging between two Bluetooth devices.
Standardization of Capabilities/Features – These advancements are being made in direct response to industry demand for standardization of certain Bluetooth LE Audio features, including:
- High-Resolution and Lossless Audio – Enhancing Bluetooth LE Audio to meet the growing demand for high-resolution and lossless audio
- Spatial Audio – Establishing a standardized approach for supporting spatial audio on Bluetooth headphones
- Surround Sound – Developing a standardized method for creating Bluetooth based, interoperable, multi-channel surround sound systems
Sound Exposure – This category of Bluetooth LE Audio enhancements will standardize the reporting of sound pressure data from Bluetooth headphones to media players, allowing users to monitor their sound exposure
Auracast™ Broadcast Audio Enhancements – In response to the positive reception and swift adoption of this new Bluetooth capability, demand has risen for extended coverage, increased capability, and a standardized method for joining broadcasts without an assistant
- Extended Auracast™ Coverage – Defining a standardized method for deploying multiple Auracast™ transmitters to provide coverage in large environments
- Increasing Auracast™ Capacity – Establishing a standardized approach for using multiple Auracast™ transmitters to support broadcasts with more audio streams than a single transmitter can handle (e.g., multi-language broadcasts)
- Discovering Auracast™ Broadcasts – Creating a standardized method for users with UI-constrained Auracast™ receivers (e.g., hearing aids) to easily join an Auracast™ broadcast without needing an additional device (e.g., a smartphone)
How to Get Involved
Employees of all Bluetooth SIG member companies are welcome to view the list of active specification development projects in our online specification development support tool, Specification Workspace. Employees of all Associate and Promoter member companies are also welcome to join any working group and participate in its specification development projects.
Learn more about other Bluetooth specifications in development.
NEW PAPER
Developing Auracast™ Receivers with an Assistant Application for Legacy Smartphones
This guide explains how audio receiver manufacturers can start supporting Auracast™ broadcast audio in their products today and increase the likelihood users can immediately take advantage of Auracast™ broadcast audio in public spaces with existing, new, and future products.
Coming Soon: New Version of the Bluetooth Core Specification
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of the Bluetooth community, Bluetooth® technology is…
Bluetooth Channel Sounding is Closer Than You Think
The next big leap in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enhancements is on our doorstep.…
Channel Sounding: Technical Overview (Pt 2)
In Part 1 we introduced the new Bluetooth distance measurement innovation known as Channel…
Unlocking Healthcare Potential: SPP and Bluetooth® LE for Medical Devices
The Serial Port Profile (SPP) has long been a well-known standard for wireless serial…
The Bluetooth Roadmap: Bluetooth Specifications in Progress
Though not commonly known among many consumers, Bluetooth® technology is constantly and consistently advancing to…
A First Look at Bluetooth Channel Sounding
Over the last 25 years, we have seen Bluetooth® technology advance from a point-to-point…
Coffee → Max Throughput → More Bluetooth® Testing
Recently, while sipping on our americanos and lattes, conversation moved to our series of…
Bluetooth Mesh 1.1 Performance
In this blog, we explore different performance capabilities of the Bluetooth Mesh 1.1 network…
Bluetooth® Channel Sounding: A Technical Overview
The forthcoming update to the Bluetooth® Core Specification adds a new feature called Bluetooth®…
The Bluetooth® Mesh Primer
An introduction and explanation of important Bluetooth® Mesh concepts.
Low Energy Audio – Basic One-Way Unicast Audio
This document gives an introduction to Bluetooth LE Audio by explaining the basics of…
Enabling the Digital Transformation of Industrial IoT with Bluetooth®
The Industrial IoT is a digital transformation process for enterprises offering them compelling abilities…
Bluetooth Low Energy Fundamentals
The Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Fundamentals Course is designed to give you the knowledge…
The Latest in HADM with Bluetooth LE
HADM, or high accuracy distance measurement using Bluetooth does exactly what it says –…
Bluetooth® Technology for Linux Developers
Learn how to use the interprocess communication system D-Bus and the BlueZ APIs to create Bluetooth applications for Linux computers.
Designing and Developing Bluetooth® Internet Gateways
Learn about Bluetooth® internet gateways, how to make them secure and scalable, and design and implement your own...
The Bluetooth LE Security Study Guide
Learn about fundamental security concepts, the security features of Bluetooth Low Energy, and gain some hands-on experience using those features in device code.
