Industry Expert Blogs

The Bluetooth SIG's formal release of a new specification for mesh networking is big news in the Bluetooth world. While Bluetooth technology has been around for nearly two decades it has always focused on point-to-point connections or simple broadcasting. The SIG had not attempted to tackle the problem of mesh networking, although some companies had developed proprietary mesh protocols over Bluetooth low energy. That is, until now: By publishing a standardized mesh specification, the Bluetooth SIG aims to achieve product interoperability and a flourishing new product ecosystem for automation and the smart home. I'll explain how this mesh specification affects both SoC designers implementing Bluetooth in their chips, as well as the end users of these products, you and me.