Bluetooth 2.1 simplifies pairing and cuts power consumption

By Simon Aughton

Posted on 30 Mar 2007 at 09:18

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has finalised the specification for version 2.1 of the wireless communications standard and announced that it will now be released to device and software makers.

Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) features improved pairing of devices and lower power consumption than the widely deployed 2.0 specification.

The pairing process - the means by which Bluetooth-enabled devices establish a connection - has been simplified to the extent that it will involve simply switching on and selecting Add device from a menu. PINs have been replaced by a six-digit passkey that is generated by the initiating device, typically a computer, and is unique to the connection being made. The specification also allows for the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology that establishes a connection and automatically begins the pairing process just as soon as two Bluetooth devices are placed in close proximity to each other.

Lower power consumption could cut the amount of power used by up to a fifth, particularly in devices that do not send a continual stream of data, such as mice and keyboards.

Bluetooth 2.1 is backward compatible with existing Bluetooth products, but there is as yet no information regarding the possibility of upgrading these products to the new spec.

Looking forward, the Bluetooth SIG is continuing its work on incorporating ultrawideband technology into Bluetooth, which would increase data transfer speeds from the current 3Mbps maximum to around 480Mbps.

A recent survey of consumers in the USA, UK, Germany, China, Japan and Taiwan found that 81 per cent are aware of Bluetooth, compared to 73 per cent in 2005. Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth SIG said that it is therefore increasingly important to ensure that they have a 'positive experience'.

'We want consumers to think of Bluetooth technology for more than just a wireless headset and use it to connect keyboards and mice, send photos and other data from a handset to a computer or printer or talk hands-free in their cars,' Foley said. 'To help, we are improving the Bluetooth specification in a variety of ways to make it easy and convenient for consumers to use Bluetooth devices every day.'