From concept to global standard
It is difficult to imagine the modern world without wireless technologies. Controlling music on your smartphone, sending files to a printer, or synchronizing data with a fitness tracker – all this has become possible thanks to Bluetooth, which has quietly entered everyday life.
But how did this revolutionary development come about, and what inspired its creators? In this article we will look at the history of Bluetooth, its development and its impact on our lives.
Background. Scientific discoveries
The history of Bluetooth begins with fundamental discoveries in the field of physics. At the beginning of the 19th century, Hans Christian Oersted and Michael Faraday put forward an idea existence of electromagnetic waves. In 1864 James Clerk Maxwell formulated a theorywhich states that electromagnetic waves can propagate not only through wires, but also through air. In 1887, Heinrich Hertz confirmed Maxwell's theory experimentally. Then there were the inventions of Alexander Stepanovich Popov and Guglielmo Marconi. Thus, radio waves became the basis for the development of wireless communications.
Another important discovery for Bluetooth technology was made, oddly enough, in Hollywood during World War II.
Actress Hedy Lamarr with composer George Antheil developed innovative guidance system for torpedoes. Using the roller of a mechanical piano, they created technology that allows signals to be transmitted at different frequencies.
Lamarr and Antheil successfully patented their discovery and handed it over to the US Army in 1942.
The patent became the basis for the method FHSS (pseudo-random tuning of operating frequency). This method formed the basis of many modern wireless technologies.
Creation and development of technology
In the early 1990s, when mobile phones began to gain popularity, the Swedish company Ericsson Mobile decided to expand the functionality of its devices.
Bluetooth idea was born from the company's technical director, Nils Rydbeck. He envisioned a world where users could communicate freely without taking their phones out of their pockets. And he instructed his team of engineers to bring this idea to life.
Engineer Jaap Haartsen worked on this project. In 1994, Rydbeck commissioned him to develop the concept of short-range radio communications between a cell phone and nearby electronic devices that support voice and data communications.
At that time, the company already had a project called Cornelius, which explored wireless communication between a telephone and a headset. However, it was based on analog technology and did not support data transfer.
Haartsen also studied other technologies, such as the standard DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) and wireless network WLAN 802.11. But they did not meet the requirements of peer-to-peer connectivity, support for voice and data, and also did not fit into the low-power framework.
The turning point occurred at the IEEE conference in The Hague. Haartsen has attended symposia on personal, indoor and mobile radio communications, and wireless computer networks. He talked about it like this:
At the conference, I learned more about using the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) radio band as global spectrum for communications and realized that this would be the way forward.
Additionally, since it was an unlicensed band, the radio system operating in it had to deal with interference from other users, ranging from garage door openers to baby monitors. To deal with this interference, I chose frequency hopping.
In 1995, Haartsen was joined by Sven Mattisson, a wireless technology engineer.
After nearly four years of intensive research and development in the field of radio communications, Ericsson decided to create a new business focusing on the concept of short-range radio communications. However, interoperability and dissemination of the technology could only be ensured by collaborating with other industries and companies.
One of the first major partners to become interested in the Bluetooth project was Intel. As part of the collaboration with Intel, Jim Cardach and Simon Ellis from Intel's mobile division joined the team. They, along with other engineers from Intel, IBM, Nokia and Ericsson, helped create Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) in 1998 to standardize the technology.
Later, Nokia, Toshiba and IBM joined the development. Nokia brings its expertise in mobile communications to help improve Bluetooth integration with mobile devices. Toshiba focused on the hardware, ensuring the technology was compatible with computers and other devices. IBM, in turn, contributed to the development of the logic layer and standardization of protocols, which helped Bluetooth become a universal platform for wireless data transmission.
According to Ericsson, Bluetooth technology is protected by many patents, most of which belong to Ericsson itself. The last patent was registered in 2024.
The patent that made Jaap Haartsen a household name in the tech world was called “Frequency Hopping Piconets in an Uncoordinated Wireless Multi-User System.”
The application for this patent was filed in September 1997, and officially issued it was the US Patent Office in July 2003. The patent lists Haartsen as the lead inventor, with Ericsson as the assignee.
Name and logo
The name of the technology was suggested by Jim Kardach, head of technology development at Intel. According to him, he chose “Bluetooth” as a temporary name, inspired by the story of the Danish king Harald I “Bluetooth” Gormsson.
“Just as Harald united Scandinavia, we sought to unite the PC and mobile industries with short-range wireless communications“, Kardakh explained.
The name Bluetooth was taken as a temporary option until the marketing teams come up with something more memorable and impressive. However, fate decreed otherwise. When it came time to choose a final name, two options came to the fore: “RadioWire” and “PAN” (Personal Area Networking). But careful analysis showed that there were already a huge number of references to these terms on the Internet.
In the end, the choice fell on “Bluetooth” – a name that quickly caught on, spread throughout the industry and became synonymous with short-range wireless technology.
The Bluetooth logo is a linked rune combining Harald's initials. This symbol also reflects the original idea of the developers: combining various devices into a single wireless network.
Bluetooth SIG
In 1998, Ericsson, Intel, Nokia, Toshiba and IBM created Bluetooth SIG to develop a wireless communication standard that would connect different devices.
Bluetooth SIG is a nonprofit organization based in Kirkland, Washington that is responsible for licensing technologies and trademarks. It does not produce devices, but controls the implementation of Bluetooth technology. Today, the Bluetooth SIG has more than 30,000 member companies.
In 1999 was released first Bluetooth 1.0 specification. The first device with this technology was a hands-free headset. And already in 2000, the Ericsson T36 mobile phone with Bluetooth support appeared, which became the next important step in the development of technology.
In 2001, the first printers and laptops that also supported Bluetooth entered the market.
By 2012, shipments of Bluetooth-enabled products reached 2 billion units worldwide. By the end of 2014, Bluetooth penetration into the mobile phone market reached 90%.
How Bluetooth works
The principle of Bluetooth operation is similar to other wireless communication standards, such as radio or Wi-Fi: one device converts information into a signal and transmits it at a certain frequency, the other catches and converts the signal back into data.
Technical Basics
Bluetooth uses 2.4 GHz radio frequencies and the Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) protocol, switching between 79 channels up to 1,600 times per second to avoid interference.
When multiple devices (such as smartwatches and activity trackers) are connected to a single smartphone, they form a piconet (PAN). In such a network, one device is the master and the rest are slaves. There can be up to seven slave devices in one piconet. Several piconets together form a distributed network (scatternet).
Bluetooth is often thought of as a short-range technology, but can be used to connect devices over a distance.
The communication range depends on the class of sensors:
Class I: 100–200 meters. Industrial devices such as factory automation systems and communication systems for warehouses or factories.
Class II: 10–20 meters. Used in mobile devices such as smartphones.
III class: less than 5 meters. Ideal for wearable devices with low power consumption. For example, smart watches.
The communication range is inversely proportional to the data transfer speed: the further the devices are, the slower the exchange of information.
Pairing devices
Pairing is the process by which Bluetooth devices register with each other, creating a secure connection. Each device receives security keys and automatically connects when in range.
Device identification
Bluetooth devices have a unique 48-bit address (BD_ADDR) represented in hexadecimal. The top 24 bits identify the manufacturer, while the bottom 24 bits are unique to a specific device. Devices may also have user-friendly names for easy identification.
Different versions of Bluetooth and their features
At the moment, 6 main versions of Bluetooth have been released. Detailed descriptions and specifications of each Bluetooth version can be found on the official website Bluetooth SIG.
Bluetooth 1.0
Bluetooth 1.0 was announced in 1998. This version had problems with signal stability and device compatibility. The updated version of Bluetooth 1.0(B) improved the situation, but limited the anonymity of users, as it required the mandatory transmission of the device address.
Bluetooth 1.1 was released in 2000. Added determination of signal strength and data transmission via unencrypted channels.
In 2003, Bluetooth version 1.2 was released. It increased the transmission speed to 1 Mbit/s and improved noise immunity, and also supported the profile A2DP for stereo sound transmission.
Bluetooth 2.0
In 2004, Bluetooth 2.0 was released with support for the “increased data rate” (EDR) mode. This increased the maximum connection speed to 2.1 Mbps and improved performance. It also made it possible to more easily connect multiple devices synchronously and reduce power consumption.
The next update was released in 2007. Bluetooth 2.1 has made it easier to pair devices. This version also introduced the technology Sniff Subratingsignificantly reducing energy consumption.
Bluetooth 2.1 has improved connection security.
Bluetooth 3.0
In April 2009, the Bluetooth 3.0 standard was adopted. It increased the data transfer speed to 24 Mbit/s. I used two versions of the radio system: standard 2.0 (up to 3 Mbit/s) and high-speed (up to 24 MB/s) based on Wi-Fi 802.11, which made it possible to adapt the transmission depending on the file size.
Bluetooth 4.0
In 2010, Bluetooth 4.0 was launched, which became a breakthrough in wireless technology due to its low power consumption and functionality.
“Low energy consumption” technology was introduced – Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Bluetooth 4.0 and later versions actually introduce two wireless technologies: BR/EDR (classic Bluetooth, which continues to evolve since the first version of the standard), and BLE.
Classic Bluetooth (BR/EDR) provides high data transfer rates and is suitable for applications that require a constant connection, such as transferring audio or data between devices.
While Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is aimed at devices with low power consumption, allowing them to last much longer on battery life. Also, Bluetooth 4.0 provided a range of up to 100 meters. Afterwards, Bluetooth 4.1 and 4.2 updates were released, improving compatibility with LTE and increased throughput by 2.5 times.
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0 was introduced in 2016 and offered significant improvements over previous versions. Data transfer speed has doubled compared to version 4.2. Connection range has also been improved, making the technology more suitable for smart home appliances.
Version 5.1 added support for mesh networks for connecting to multiple devices and angle-of-arrival detection for improved location tracking.
Bluetooth 5.2 introduced profile LE Audio for quality audio streaming with less power consumption and protocol Auracast for broadcasting sound to many devices.
Bluetooth 5.3 was released in 2021. It provided fast switching between performance modes, improved radio channel management, and allowed devices to self-detect radio interference.
On February 7, 2023, the Bluetooth SIG introduced the Bluetooth 5.4 specification, which includes support for periodic alerts with responses. Also in version 5.4, encrypted alert data and new General Attribute Profile (LE GATT) security features are added, which increases the security of transmitted information and adds flexibility in data transmission settings.
Bluetooth 6.0
On September 3, 2024, the Bluetooth SIG published official statements regarding the Bluetooth 6.0 release. The key point of this update is Bluetooth Channel Sounding. This technology allows you to measure the distance between devices with an accuracy of one centimeter.
Technology ISOAL allows large amounts of data to be transferred more efficiently, which is useful for streaming and virtual reality applications. The first devices supporting Bluetooth 6.0 are expected to hit the market in 2025.
The role of Bluetooth technology
Bluetooth technology has become a part of our daily lives, providing wireless connections between many devices. It allows you to enjoy music through wireless headphones, control smart devices in the home and exchange data between phones without unnecessary wires.
Alternatives
Bluetooth is popular, but not the only wireless communication standard. There are various alternative technologies, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
NFC Near Field Communication is a wireless communication technology that allows two devices to exchange data over a very short distance (usually up to 10 cm). NFC requires direct contact or very close proximity of devices. One of the main advantages of NFC is its fast connection time (less than one tenth of a second).
ZigBee – short-range network technology similar to Bluetooth LE. It operates at 2.4 GHz, consumes little power and supports up to 65,000 devices, which is more than Bluetooth LE. Used in home automation (smart lighting, thermostats) and industrial automation.
Z-Wave – Patented technology, competing with ZigBee and BLE, uses the sub-1 GHz band (908 MHz in the US, 868 MHz in Europe), which provides greater range and less interference. However, the data transfer speed of Z-Wave is lower.
6LoWPAN is an IP-based technology that also competes with ZigBee and Z-Wave, and is used for home automation and smart meters.
NearLink – wireless technology from Huawei. Six times faster than Bluetooth, with 30 times less latency and 60% less power consumption. The range is doubled and the number of connections is increased by ten. The technology has already been implemented in smartphones Mate 60 and will be integrated into HarmonyOS and other Huawei devices. More than 300 Chinese companies support the project, but Intel, Qualcomm, AMD and NVIDIA are not participating yet.
Advantages
Bluetooth is low power consumption. The devices operate at just 2.5 mW, which is significantly less than the standard 100 mW for Wi-Fi. This allows headphones, smartwatches and fitness bands to run on a small battery. Peripherals such as computer keyboards and mice can use medium-sized batteries.
Bluetooth makes connectivity easy. Just press a button and, if necessary, enter a PIN code. Devices automatically report their capabilities, making them easier to use.
Bluetooth supports more than 30 profiles, allowing it to be used in various scenarios – from audio transmission (A2DP) before data transmission (OPP).
A wide range of compatible Bluetooth devices allows users to easily connect and share data between a variety of gadgets, from mobile phones and tablets to TVs and laptops.
Future
Technologies do not stand still and new ways of transmitting data may appear. For example, in 2023, researchers from the University of Sussex proposed a new way to transmit data at close range using modulation of low-frequency electric field.
This method consumes less power and is less susceptible to external influences than Bluetooth. Although the idea is in its early stages, it is generating interest in the scientific community. Scientists hope that their technology will become the new standard for short-range data transmission and replace Bluetooth.
However, at the moment, Bluetooth technology is trying to keep up with advanced technologies and is constantly updated and improved. She was transformed beyond recognition compared to her original state. The wireless range has expanded from 10 meters in the first versions to an impressive 240 meters in the fifth. While older versions consumed a lot of power from host devices, they now use Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), which significantly saves battery power.
It is believed that the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) will make Bluetooth even more popular. Device deliveries by 2026 achieved 7 billion. Bluetooth can also become the basis for new applications in the field of augmented and virtual reality, where fast and reliable data transfer between devices is required.
If you think about how many devices with Bluetooth there are in an ordinary city apartment, it’s easier to name those that don’t have it. This technology has literally penetrated everything from toys to refrigerators. What device do you think should be equipped with Bluetooth?
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