Bluetooth 3.0 + HS Released

In its annual meeting last month, Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) formally adopted the Bluetooth 3.0 + HS (Bluetooth Core Specification v 3.0 High Speed). Utilizing the 802.11 (WiFi) radio protocol, Bluetooth 3.0 + HS offers approximately 24 Mbps data transfer rate (the predecessor, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR offers around 3Mbps). The decision to use well known WiFi radio protocol also provides efficiencies for developers/manufacturers and end-users. The Bluetooth 3.0 also features better power efficiency than its predecessor. The Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, unfortunately still does not include the long-expected UWB (Ultra Wide Band) technology with its 480Mbps transfer speed. Bluetooth 3.0 + HS maintain backward-compatibility to its predecessor and it builds on the inherent qualities of the 2.1 EDR version, including Simple Secure Pairing and automatic security.

Bluetooth 3.0 + HS

About Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group)
The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), comprised of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, consumer electronics, automotive and network industries, is driving development of Bluetooth wireless technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes Promoter group companies Ericsson, Intel, Lenovo, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, along with over 11,000 Associate and Adopter member companies. The Bluetooth SIG, Inc. headquarters are located in Bellevue, Washington, U.S.A. For more information please visit www.bluetooth.com.

Progress of Ultra-wideband (UWB)
According to wikipedia.org, on March 16, 2009, the WiMedia Alliance announced it is entering into technology transfer agreements for the WiMedia Ultra-wideband (UWB) specifications. WiMedia will transfer all current and future specifications, including work on future high speed and power optimized implementations, to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), Wireless USB Promoter Group and the USB Implementers Forum. After the successful completion of the technology transfer, marketing and related administrative items, the WiMedia Alliance will cease operations.

New key features and improvement of Bluetooth 3.0 + HS compared to Bluetooth V2.1 + EDR:

• 802.11 (WiFi) PAL (Protocol Adaptation Layer)
• AMP (Alternate MAC/PHY) Manager Protocol (A2MP)
• Enhancements to L2CAP including
  • Enhanced Retransmission Mode and Streaming Mode
  • Improvements to the L2CAP state machine for AMP channels
  • Fixed channel support
• Enhancements to HCI for AMP
• Enhancements to Security for AMP
• Unicast Connectionless Data
• HCI Read Encryption Key Size command
• Generic Test Methodology for AMP
• Enhanced USB and SDIO HCI Transports
• Enhanced Power Control

Bluetooth 3.0 + HS enable users to wirelessly transfer large multimedia data files between devices. According to press release, Bluetooth 3.0 + HS products for end-users are expected to be available in 9 to 12 months. Here are some application examples of Bluetooth 3.0 + HS:

• Send video files from camera or phone to computer or television
• Bulk download photos to a printer or PC
• Wirelessly bulk synchronize music libraries between PC and music player or phone

Reference:

• SIG Press Release: BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY GETS FASTER WITH BLUETOOTH 3.0 (_http://www.bluetooth.com/Bluetooth/Press/SIG/iBLUETOOTHi_TECHNOLOGY_GETS_FASTER_WITH_iBLUETOOTHi_30.htm)
• SIG Press Release: BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY TO HARNESS THE SPEED OF 802.11 (_http://www.bluetooth.com/Bluetooth/Press/SIG/BLUETOOTH_TECHNOLOGY_TO_HARNESS_THE_SPEED_OF_80211.htm)
• Bluetooth 3.0 released without ultrawideband (_http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39643174,00.htm)
• Bluetooth Core Specification v3.0 + HS (_http://bluetooth.com/NR/rdonlyres/298BE70B-4353-4492-9A91-160549463612/10885/Core_V30__HS.zip)