The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has published the main specifications for Bluetooth 6.0 wireless technology. The main changes will affect positioning accuracy, data protection technologies and audio transmission speed.
One of the key innovations Bluetooth Channel Sounding, which will provide accurate detection of distances (down to the centimeter) for compatible devices. It is expected to find widespread use in the search beacon market and in mobile ecosystems.
In addition, the protocol will offer users Decision-Based Advertising Filtering (speeds up the scanning of secondary channels) and Monitoring Advertisers (improving energy efficiency). At the same time, it is expected to reduce latency when connecting audio devices (for example, TWS headsets).
One of the key innovations Bluetooth 6.0 protocol Channel Sounding, which will provide accurate detection of distances (down to the centimeter) for compatible devices. It is expected to find widespread use in the search beacon market and in mobile ecosystems.
In addition, the protocol will offer users Decision-Based Advertising Filtering (speeds up the scanning of secondary channels) and Monitoring Advertisers (improving energy efficiency). At the same time, it is expected to reduce latency when connecting audio devices (for example, TWS headsets).
Bluetooth 6.0 protocol technology provides a way to exchange information between wireless devices such as PDAs, laptops, computers, printers and digital cameras via a secure, low-cost, globally available short-range radio frequency band. Originally developed by Ericsson, Bluetooth technology is now used in many different products by many different manufacturers. These manufacturers must be either Associate or Promoter members of (see below) the Bluetooth SIG before they are granted early access to the Bluetooth specifications but published Bluetooth specifications are available online via the Bluetooth SIG Website bluetooth.com.
The SIG owns the Bluetooth 6.0 protocol word mark, figure mark and combination mark. These trademarks are licensed out for use to companies that are incorporating Bluetooth wireless technology into their products. To become a licensee, a company must become a member of the Bluetooth SIG. The SIG also manages the Bluetooth SIG Qualification program, a certification process required for any product using Bluetooth wireless technology and a pre-condition of the intellectual property license for Bluetooth technology. The main tasks for the SIG are to publish the Bluetooth specifications, protect the Bluetooth trademarks and evangelize Bluetooth wireless technology. In 2016, the SIG introduced a new visual and creative identity to support Bluetooth technology as the catalyst for the Internet of Things (IoT). This change included an updated logo, a new tagline and deprecation of the Bluetooth Smart and Bluetooth Smart Ready logos.
At its inception in 1998, the Bluetooth SIG was primarily run by a staff effectively seconded from its member companies. In 2001 Tom Siep served as the group’s managing director, and from 2002 to 2004 Mike McCamon led the group as its executive director. In 2004 he was replaced by Michael W. Foley (Mike). From 2012-mid-2024, Mark Powell acted as the Bluetooth SIG’s CEO/Executive Director. Effective 29 May 2024, Neville Meijers became the SIG’s CEO. Beginning in 2002 a professional staff was hired, composed of operations, engineering and marketing specialists. From 2002 to 2004 the Bluetooth SIG was based in Overland Park, Kansas, US, and is now based in Kirkland, Washington. In addition to its professional staff, the SIG is supported by its more than 40,000 member companies who participate in the various working groups that produce the standardization documents and oversee the qualification process for new products and help to evangelize the technology.
