The Bluetooth (BT) Special Interest Group (SIG) has announced a faster version of the widely used Bluetooth personal-area network (PAN) standard called Bluetooth Core Specification Version 3.0+ High Speed (HS). This generic alternate media access controller/physical layer (MAC/PHY) conforms to the IEEE 802.11 Protocol Adaptation Layer (PAL). Rather than invent a new higher-speed PHY itself, the BT SIG adopted an existing PHY and matched it up to the existing BT protocol. The result is much faster data rates on BT transfers.

BT v1.1 had a gross data rate maxing out at 1 Mbit/s. Years later, version 2.1 introduced the enhanced rata rate (EDR) option, which boosted the data exchange rate to 3.0 Mbits/s. The +HS standard goes to a maximum of about 24 Mbits/s over the standard 10-m range of normal BT operation. In practice, under widely varying conditions, the real rate could drop to about half that maximum. Yet that may be sufficient to fill the need for some faster data applications.

Most of the expected applications relate to faster transfers of music, video, and digital camera images. Right now, the main application for BT is wireless headsets for cell phones. The older 1-Mbit/s standard is still satisfactory for that and other audio applications. The 2.1 EDR version is not widely used but shows up in some wireless stereo audio applications.

The new version is expected to be used in peer-to-peer sharing of photos, music, and videos. Other potential applications include bulk synchronization of music libraries between PCs and MP3 players, bulk download of photos to a printer or PC, and streaming video from a camera or phone to a computer or TV set. The new version is fully backward compatible with all previous versions.

Not long ago, the BT SIG announced support for the WiMedia Alliance’s Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology as a potential future high-speed BT version. UWB is capable of more than 300 Mbits/s over short distances and supports USB connectivity. That would seem to be a more viable, long-lived, and faster option than 802.11, making it more useful.

The UWB standard is firm and products are being sold, most of them as wireless USB connections. However, as the BT SIG’s announcement says, “the Bluetooth SIG Ecosystem Committee determined that the previously established criteria for UWB Industry Acceptance would not be met prior to the final adoption of the Seattle (+HS) Core Release,” whatever that actually means.

Many designers will be disappointed that UWB was not chosen, but perhaps it is still a future possibility. The move to 802.11 is not enough of a speed boost to really make it that useful, but satisfactory applications will be developed. At least the BT SIG has done a great job of keeping BT up to date and providing many extensions and improvements over the past decade.

Three of the main Bluetooth chip suppliers have already announced products for the +HS standard. Atheros Communications has received the Bluetooth Qualification Board’s (BQB) certification for its AR3011 chip for PC implementations, host stack, and 802.11a/g/n solutions to support the High Speed 802.11PAL. Broadcom also announced that its BCM4325 combo chip with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and FM radio is v3.0 + HS compliant. Its BCM4235 chip is Wi-Fi certified as well. CSR is offering +HS compliant chips too. Its Synergy software and CSR9000 chip includes the v3.0 capability. The CSR9000 includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, BT low energy, GPS, and FM radio, both Rx and Tx.