Two improvements now under development by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) will allow the already popular wireless technology to handle much larger amounts of data at much higher speeds, according to market research firm ABI Research. The SIG is working on an alternative media access controller (MAC) physical layer (PHY) known as AMP that will combine Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The long-term goal is to enable Bluetooth to work with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) as an integrated solution.

Article Tools

• 

The AMP feature will be a software upgrade for devices equipped with both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi chips, said ABI senior analyst Douglas McEuen. The device will use Wi-Fi when larger files must be transmitted and return to standard Bluetooth once that transfer is complete. The integration of UWB would permit even faster transfers of larger files, opening the possibility of using the Bluetooth platform as a video connectivity solution.

“The SIG is trying to position Bluetooth as a kind of catch-all platform that can do everything,” said McEuen. “Classic Bluetooth will take care of your voice applications. AMP Bluetooth will allow you that extra kick when you need it. And further down the road, high-speed Bluetooth with UWB will offer huge data rates.”

The first products incorporating the AMP-enhanced Bluetooth may be in the market early next year. For UWB, a more likely time frame is the end of 2009 or early 2010. Portable media devices will probably be the first sweet spot, since these devices are using Bluetooth already. A recent ABI Research study, “Bluetooth: The Global Outlook,” addresses all major applications and variations of Bluetooth. It also and discusses other wireless connectivity IC integration.

• ABI Research
• Bluetooth SIG

Related Articles

1. Single Chip Integrates Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, And FM Functionality
2. Bluetooth Testing Software Simplifies Bluetooth Integration
3. Combo IC Adds FM, Enhanced Processing To Bluetooth Devices