Bluetooth SIG announces mesh networking capability

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has announced that Bluetooth technology now supports mesh networking, enabling many-to-many device communications optimized for creating large-scale device networks.

It is ideally suited for building automation, sensor networks and other IoT solutions where tens, hundreds or thousands of devices need to reliably and securely communicate with one another, the SIG says.

“In the same way the connected device market experienced rapid growth after the introduction of Bluetooth Low Energy, we believe Bluetooth mesh networking can play a vital role in helping early stage markets, such as building automation and wireless sensor networks, experience more rapid growth,” said Mark Powell, executive director for Bluetooth SIG.

Commercial building and factory automation represent major market opportunities for wireless mesh networking technologies. These markets demand true industrial-grade solutions, which Bluetooth mesh can deliver, the SIG pointed out.

Within the building automation market, there is a growing focus on connected lighting and the role it can play as a platform for providing automation services throughout a facility, said Szymon Slupik, president and CTO of Silvair and chairman of the mesh working group within the Bluetooth SIG.

“A smart lighting platform built on top of Bluetooth mesh networking can also support asset tracking, point of interest, and way-finding services. These value-added capabilities are part of why we believe Bluetooth is an ideal technology for enabling a mesh network,” Slupik added.

Selection of a mesh networking technology is a critical decision for any developer, and it is a make or break factor in the success of a solution. By selecting Bluetooth technology, developers can deliver rich solutions with a faster time to market.

Multi-vendor interoperability is a major factor in determining how fast markets develop. Lighting company Fulham said it is “excited to finally see a wireless, multi-vendor, interoperable standard for lighting controls.”

The Bluetooth mesh networking specifications, as well as the tools required to qualify Bluetooth products with mesh networking support, are now available at the Bluetooth website. Bluetooth mesh networking operates on Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) and is compatible with core specification version 4.0 and higher.