Bluetooth Channel Sounding Makes Major Impacts Across the Market

September 27, 2024
Jason Marcel
Access Control, Bluetooth Low Energy, Broadcast, Connected Device, Digital Key, Item Finding, Location Services

Though only recently released, Bluetooth^® Channel Sounding has already had a big impact on the industry. Bluetooth Channel Sounding is a new secure, fine-ranging feature that promises to enhance the convenience, safety, and security of Bluetooth connected devices. By infusing billions of everyday devices with true distance awareness, Bluetooth^® Channel Sounding unlocks a world of possibilities for developers, freeing them to imagine and create innovative experiences.

Ideal for supporting find my devices, digital key solutions, and many more, Bluetooth^® Channel Sounding has the potential to bring benefits to a wide range of connected device products. For example, Bluetooth mice, keyboards, and game controllers, could automatically switch between active and inactive states based on their distance from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, Bluetooth human-machine interface (HMI) solutions can enhance personnel safety by only allowing usage from a safe distance, and Bluetooth device networks, such as those used for wireless lighting control, can self-optimize to enhance system performance.

“Bluetooth® Channel Sounding will apply to consumer, enterprise, and industrial settings alike.”

– Andrew Zignani, ABI Research

“Bluetooth® Channel Sounding will apply to consumer, enterprise, and industrial settings alike,” said Andrew Zignani, senior research director at ABI Research. “Imagine Bluetooth mice, keyboards, and game controllers that can automatically switch between active and inactive states based on their distance from a laptop. In industrial settings, distance aware Bluetooth Human-Machine Interface (HMI) solutions can increase personnel safety by only allowing usage from a safe distance. Meanwhile, Bluetooth device networks, such as those used for networked lighting control, can more easily self-configure to enhance system performance using this innovative technology. With 1.35 billion Bluetooth connected devices forecasted to ship in 2024 alone, the opportunities are significant.”

The opportunities are endless, and companies throughout the industry are already seeing that. Check out what market leaders around the world are saying about Bluetooth^® Channel Sounding.

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DENSO

“Extending an already rich ecosystem, the Bluetooth® Channel Sounding standard enables connected devices to more precisely and securely locate each other, paving the way for the design of new low-cost, energy-efficient, location-aware solutions,” said Kyle Golsch, senior RF system engineer at Denso. “It also has the potential to provide a more secure and convenient user experience for automotive digital key solutions and we look forward to leveraging this technology inside and outside of automotive areas to enable more seamless user experiences for all.”

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Ellisys

“With qualification testing available from day one, alongside advanced capture and analysis features introduced over a year ahead of this official release, early adopters and innovators are now fully empowered to unlock the vast potential this new feature offers to the Bluetooth ecosystem,” said Mario Pasquali, president and CEO of Ellisys.

Goodix

“Accurate distance measurement and positioning are top priorities for users,” said Raymond Zou, senior product line director at Goodix. “Bluetooth® Channel Sounding meets these needs by leveraging Bluetooth technology to deliver precise distance measurements with robust, multi-layered security. This represents another significant milestone in the evolution of Bluetooth technology, providing true distance awareness for a wide array of IoT smart applications and driving emerging use cases forward, including access control and asset tracking. Goodix is excited to support Bluetooth® Channel Sounding in our next generation of Bluetooth SoC chips, empowering customers to innovate and create even greater value.”

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Infineon

“Bluetooth® Channel Sounding is a big step forward for Bluetooth technology,” said Shantanu Bhalerao, vice president of Infineon’s Bluetooth product line. “As a leader in automotive and IoT, Infineon is excited to bring accurate, secure, fine ranging with Bluetooth Channel Sounding to car access and smart home markets.”

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Nordic Semiconductor

“Bluetooth® Channel Sounding is poised to bring true distance awareness to a vast array of Bluetooth devices, unlocking new possibilities for distance-aware applications across various industries,” said Oyvind Strom, EVP of Nordic Semiconductor’s short-range BU. “With Bluetooth® Channel Sounding, we’re able to elevate the performance of ‘Find My’ applications by delivering centimeter-level accuracy, helping our customers find important items with greater ease. Additionally, Bluetooth® Channel Sounding enhances the security of digital key solutions, providing an extra layer of protection for keyless entry users.”

Samsung

“With Bluetooth^® Channel Sounding, we’re able to elevate the performance of ‘Find My’ applications by delivering centimeter-level accuracy, helping our customers find important items with greater ease,” said Joonsuk Kim, executive vice president of the System LSI Connectivity Team at Samsung Electronics. “Additionally, Bluetooth^® Channel Sounding enhances the security of digital key solutions, providing an extra layer of protection for keyless entry users. These are just a few examples of the transformative potential of Bluetooth^® Channel Sounding, with many more possibilities waiting to be realized.”
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Silicon Labs

“In a world where location awareness is critical, Bluetooth® Channel Sounding revolutionizes proximity and location capabilities, propelling Bluetooth technology into a new era.” said Ross Sabolcik, SVP of the industrial and commercial business unit at Silicon Labs. “With a legacy of empowering developers with the full potential of Bluetooth technology, Silicon Labs looks forward to helping create an accelerated path to groundbreaking Bluetooth products equipped with Bluetooth® Channel Sounding.”

Bluetooth® Channel Sounding

Bluetooth® Channel Sounding is a new secure, fine-ranging feature that promises to enhance the convenience, safety, and security of Bluetooth connected devices. By infusing billions of everyday devices with true distance awareness, Bluetooth® Channel Sounding unlocks a world of possibilities for developers, freeing them to imagine and create innovative experiences.

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