The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has announced mesh networking for the short-range wireless standard.
Traditionally Bluetooth is used to connect mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices together but Bluetooth mesh is designed to create device networks, making it perfect for building automation, sensor networks and asset tracking solutions.
“By adding support for mesh networking, the Bluetooth member community is continuing a long history of focused innovation to help new, up-and-coming markets flourish,” says Mark Powell, executive director for Bluetooth SIG.
“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.
“We’ve been working diligently to ensure Bluetooth mesh will meet the requirements of our 32,000+ member companies, conducting comprehensive, multi-vendor interoperability testing throughout the development process,” Martin Woolley, technical program manager at Bluetooth SIG said. “We wanted to make sure that we were putting out the best possible mesh network, and one that was fully fit for purpose.
“We also wanted to make sure we delivered an industrial-grade solution that fully covered all market sectors, especially emerging industrial and commercial markets where there is increasingly a lot of demand,” Woolley said. “We’ve done a lot of work with sensor networking and commercial lighting.”♦
