Bluetooth to Boost Speed via Wi-Fi

Bluetooth High Speed promises faster files transfers by switching to Wi-Fi networking for big files, but switching back to low-power Bluetooth for everyday tasks.

The Bluetooth SIG has announced plans for a new Bluetooth High Speed standard, which will combine Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless networking as an interim measure while the industry waits for the widespread deployment of ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. Under Bluetooth High Speed, Bluetooth devices will be able to switch on an 802.11-based Wi-Fi radio to speed up transfers of large files and other data items, but drop back to standard, low-power Bluetooth for everyday tasks. Although the 802.11 radio will consume much more power than everyday Bluetooth, the enhanced file transfer speed should more than make up for the difference.

“This is the wireless technology equivalent of ‘low hanging fruit,’” said the BlueTooth SIG’s executive director Michael Foley, in a statement. “What we’re doing is taking classic Bluetooth connections—using Bluetooth protocols, profiles, security and other architectural elements—and allowing it to jump on top of the already present 802.11 radio, when necessary, to send bulky entertainment data, faster.”

The Wi-Fi option should enable users to perform increasingly common tasks like synchronize media libraries using Bluetooth, transfer images to PCs or printers, and transfer video files to PCs or televisions.

Although devices offering both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have been on the market for several years, they do so using two separate chipsets; the new standard would enable device manufacturers to combine the components into a single chip,simplifying design and manufacturing, and making it easier to support both technologies simultaneously.