Following the Bluetooth SIG’s formal adoption of Channel Sounding in Bluetooth 6.0, Nordic Semiconductor has announced its support for this technology in its upcoming nRF54L and nRF54H Series Systems-on-Chip (SoCs). Channel Sounding enhances the way Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) devices measure distance and detect presence, expanding the versatility of the technology and opening up a range of new applications.
Nordic Semiconductor is ideally placed to integrate Channel Sounding into its new nRF54 Series. This initiative underscores Nordic’s commitment to adopting advanced technologies that improve the interaction and connectivity of devices. The nRF54L and nRF54H Series will fully exploit the benefits of Channel Sounding, enabling developers and manufacturers to produce more advanced, secure, and efficient wireless devices.
“The Bluetooth SIG’s adoption of Channel Sounding significantly enhances the precision of previous Bluetooth distance measuring techniques and encourages innovation across the Bluetooth device ecosystem. Nordic is excited by the possibilities the technology opens up for its customers,” said Øyvind Strøm, EVP BU Short Range, Nordic Semiconductor. “Nordic’s plan to support Channel Sounding in its latest generation SoCs, the nRF54L and nRF54H Series, will enable developers to build a range of innovative distance and presence detection applications and get them quickly to market.”
Improved accuracy and reliability with Channel Sounding
Although Bluetooth LE is well-known for its low power consumption and cost-efficiency, it has not always been the most reliable option for accurate distance measurement. Channel Sounding addresses these limitations by offering significantly enhanced precision and reliability, which was previously unattainable with Bluetooth technology.
The enhanced capabilities of Channel Sounding are particularly beneficial in high-volume applications such as personal item tags or key fobs, where accurate proximity sensing is essential. It can be integrated into devices using a single antenna with minimal hardware changes, maintaining Bluetooth LE’s hallmark energy efficiency. This makes upgrades both simple and cost-effective.
Moreover, Channel Sounding includes robust security features designed to guard against tampering and ‘man-in-the-middle’ attacks. This makes it a perfect solution for critical applications like smart locks, home appliances, and “Find My” solutions, where dependable ranging and enhanced security are crucial.
A major advancement for Bluetooth
Channel Sounding is expected to see broad adoption in mobile phones and a wide variety of battery-powered Bluetooth LE devices, offering standardisation and interoperability for use cases that once required more complex or proprietary solutions.
The inclusion of Channel Sounding in Bluetooth 6.0 marks a significant milestone for the technology. As it becomes more widely available, Channel Sounding will drive the creation of new applications that take full advantage of improved proximity detection and accurate distance measurement, enabling a new era of Bluetooth-enabled innovation.
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