What are the Specifications and Applications of Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth is one of the most popular wireless transmission technology connecting billions of devices. Ever since the first version released in mid of 1990s, Bluetooth gained its wide acceptance for variety of applications. What is Bluetooth 5.0 and what are the specifications and applications of Bluetooth 5.0?

Bluetooth 5.0 is the latest version of the Bluetooth standard capable of two way transmission with higher bandwidth, range and efficiency. Low power requirements, high efficiency, higher data rate and easier implementation makes Bluetooth one of the most acceptable technologies globally.

Development and improvement of Bluetooth standard is monitored by Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Manufacturers adapting Bluetooth technology has to qualify, follow Bluetooth SIG guidelines to make sure device interoperability, security, compliance and maintain Bluetooth specifications.

There are two version of Bluetooth for short transmission and continuous connectivity.

Bluetooth Basic Data Rate / Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR)

This Bluetooth class is designed for basic and enhanced data rate operation for continuous connectivity. It will maintain a point to point, higher bandwidth two way connection for quality communication.

Bluetooth Low Energy (LE)

Low energy class is designed for point to point data transfer and broadcast short burst connection. It can be used to create a simple and complex mesh connections depends on requirements.

Specification of Bluetooth 5.0

Standard:             IEEE 802.15.1

Frequency:         2.4 GHz

Range:                  ~200 meters (maximum range at line of sight distance)

Power:                 100 m Watt (class 1)

Speed:                  50 mbps (maximum)

Advantages of Bluetooth 5.0 over previous version

• 2 times faster pairing time and less transmission delay
• 4 times range which is 40 meters indoors and approximately 200 meters line of sight distance
• 8 times data transfer rate and support dual audio mode to connect multiple device to the same source
• Wireless coexistence with other technologies

Applications of Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth BR/ EDR

• Wireless Keyboard, mouse and other peripherals
• Wireless speakers and high quality audio systems
• Car audio systems / hands free pairing with mobile devices
• Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality devices
• High Definition audio and video streaming

Bluetooth LE

• Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) for transmitting beacons with 255 bytes enables connectionless beacon for advertising, parking lots, location beacons etc…
• Sports and fitness tracking devices
• Healthcare, medical and wellness devices
• Office, industrial and building automation
• Wireless sensors networks and mesh connections
• Asset and inventory tracking systems
• Internet of Things wireless sensors and solutions
• 5G applications
• Home automation and security applications

Bluetooth 5.0 enabled devices

The first mobile device launched with Bluetooth 5.0 was Samsung Galaxy S8 few months ago. Apple has also included Bluetooth 5.0 in the recent release of iPhone8 and iPhone X.

 Conclusion

Increasing demands for high quality data transfer with low power in the wireless sector is a driving force behind the development and upgrading of existing technologies like Bluetooth.  In future, Bluetooth 5.0 or even higher version will be a default standard in all smart devices for efficient connectivity. Emerging technologies like Internet of Things and 5G applications will make use of Bluetooth 5.0 for variety of applications.