Bluetooth® technology, the global standard for simple, secure wireless connectivity, now supports mesh networking. The new mesh capability enables many-to-many (m:m) device communications and is optimized for creating large-scale device networks. It is ideally suited for building automation, sensor networks, and other IoT solutions where tens, hundreds, or thousands of devices need to reliably and securely communicate with one another.

“Bluetooth Mesh networking is the most robust and powerful low-power radio technology for connected lighting in commercial spaces, and it is the change the lighting industry has been waiting for,” said Rafal Han, CEO, Silvair. “We’re excited the world will finally see the efforts and contributions of Silvair and all the other dedicated working group member companies – the Bluetooth Mesh revolution has officially started.”

How it Works

Bluetooth® Mesh networking brings the unique combination of the proven, global interoperability and mature, trusted ecosystem Bluetooth technology is known for to the creation of industrial-grade device networks.

“For us, Bluetooth Mesh is the future,” said Dr. Juergen Kienhoefer, CEO, Wireless Cables Inc. “Our customers are mostly industrial customers that work with sensors and controls, meaning they need long range, tight security, and reliable communication with a large number of devices, as well as more and more integrated web capabilities each year. While our current solutions can extend Bluetooth range up to 200 meters, Bluetooth mesh allows us to solve even more complex range and limit problems.”

Bluetooth Mesh networking utilizes a managed flood approach for message transmission, which is a simple and reliable form of message relay that is uniquely suited for low-power wireless mesh networks, especially those handling a significant amount of multicast traffic. This makes flood-based message relay an ideal approach for the strict reliability, scalability, and performance requirements of the commercial and industrial markets.  

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How Bluetooth Mesh Puts the ‘Large’ in Large-Scale Wireless Device Networks

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A Proven, Trusted Technology

Today, Bluetooth® is the leading low power wireless connectivity technology used to stream audio, transfer data, or broadcast information between devices. Now, with the introduction of a mesh networking capability, Bluetooth Mesh networking is poised to further catalyze beacons, robotics, industrial automation, energy management, smart city applications, and other industrial IoT and advanced manufacturing solutions.

“At Smart & Green, we have trusted Bluetooth technology to give us the simple, secure connectivity our customers demand,” said Peter Wildhorn, general manager, Smart & Green. “With Bluetooth Mesh, we can continue to develop new, innovative uses for lighting that will improve peoples’ lives.”

Looking Forward

The value-added capabilities, mature ecosystem and global brand awareness that Bluetooth wireless technology provides will enable the creation of much richer solutions with a faster time to market.

“The addition of mesh to the Bluetooth® standard will open up significant opportunities for richer experiences in smart homes and building automation, enabling fresh waves of innovation across a range of IoT applications,” said Bob Morris, vice president of marketing, Wireless Business Unit, ARM. “Low-power connectivity is essential to bringing the next generation of secure IoT devices to life.”

The introduction of Bluetooth Mesh networking comes at a time of pivotal industry growth, with ABI Research expecting 48 billion internet-enabled devices to be installed by 2021, of which nearly one-third will include Bluetooth. We expect Bluetooth mesh will make the largest initial impact in commercial lighting and industrial applications, and will eventually become a common technology in the larger Internet of Things ecosystem.

“By adding support for mesh networking, the Bluetooth member community is continuing a long history of focused innovation to help new, up-and-coming markets flourish,” said Mark Powell, executive director for Bluetooth SIG, Inc. “In the same way the connected device market experienced rapid growth after the introduction of Bluetooth Low Energy, we believe Bluetooth Mesh networking can play a vital role in helping early stage markets, such as building automation and wireless sensor networks, experience more rapid growth.”

The Bluetooth Mesh networking specifications, as well as the tools required to qualify Bluetooth products with mesh networking support, are now available here.

For an in-depth look at Bluetooth Mesh, check out this collection of technical articles. Written by the Bluetooth development team, these articles help you understand how Bluetooth Mesh works at a deeper level.

Silvair Compliance Guide: Adhering to UK lighting and Energy Standards

Silvair compliance guide explores the most important lighting control regulations currently valid in the…

Bluetooth Mesh 1.1 Performance

In this blog, we explore different performance capabilities of the Bluetooth Mesh 1.1 network…

ABI Snapshot – Key Findings from the 2024 Bluetooth Market Update

In this ABI Snapshot, ABI Research’s Senior Director Andrew Zignani and Bluetooth SIG’s Market…

The Bluetooth® Mesh Primer

An introduction and explanation of important Bluetooth® Mesh concepts.

Automated Emergency Light Testing Through Bluetooth Mesh

During a summer internship at Nordic, I took on a project that focused on…

Elevating Network Excellence: The Impact of New Bluetooth® Mesh Standard

In September 2023, the Bluetooth SIG announced Bluetooth® Mesh feature enhancements, a significant milestone…

Periodic Advertising with Responses (PAwR): Bidirectional Bluetooth Advertising Is Now Possible

If you’ve wondered whether advertising in Bluetooth Low Energy can be bidirectional, then this…

Recently Released: New Trends for Bluetooth Device Networks新たに公開:Bluetoothデバイスネットワークの新トレンド

Though more commonly associated with audio streaming and wearable devices, Bluetooth® technology also plays…

Silicon Labs Offerings for the Newest Bluetooth Mesh 1.1 Update

Bluetooth Mesh’s ability to support the Internet of Things and connectivity among various devices…

Silicon Labs Provides an In-Depth Look at Bluetooth Trends We Can Expect to See in 2024

A global provider of secure, intelligent wireless technology for a more connected world, Silicon…

Walkthrough Bluetooth Mesh 1.1 and Bluetooth® Networked Lighting Control (NLC)

If you are interested in the new features introduced in the Bluetooth® Mesh or…

Six Bluetooth Mesh Feature Enhancements to Get Excited About

The new Bluetooth mesh feature enhancements offer more robust security, improved network efficiency, reduced…

Bringing Wireless Controls To The Epicentre Of Connectivity

This year, the time came for the lighting infrastructure at the Bluetooth SIG headquarters…

Smart Lighting And Controls Halve Energy Consumption At Campus Pitzemburg

Campus Pitzemburg has cut its energy usage by 50% thanks to smart controlled energy…

Sylvania Lets Efficiency And Control Fly High At FLYINGGROUP Antwerp

FLYINGGROUP Antwerp was looking for a solution for their meeting rooms that were more…

2021 Bluetooth® Market Update

Supported by updated forecasts from ABI Research and insights from several other analyst firms, the Bluetooth Market Update highlights the latest Bluetooth trends and forecasts.

Designing and Developing Bluetooth® Internet Gateways

Learn about Bluetooth® internet gateways, how to make them secure and scalable, and design and implement your own...

2020 Bluetooth® Market Update

Supported by updated forecasts from ABI Research and insights from several other analyst firms, the Bluetooth Market Update highlights the latest Bluetooth trends and forecasts.

How to Make Wearables Bluetooth Mesh Provisioners

Learn how to create applications for smartwatches and other platforms that can monitor and control nodes in a Bluetooth mesh network.

2019 Bluetooth® Market Update

Supported by updated forecasts from ABI Research and insights from several other analyst firms, the Bluetooth Market Update highlights the latest Bluetooth trends and forecasts.

Lighting as a Platform

See how connected lighting systems are being used as a platform to enable advanced building services like wayfinding, asset tracking, and space utilization to improve the ROI of smart building investments.

An Introduction to the Bluetooth Mesh Proxy Function

Learn how to create applications for smartphones and other platforms which can monitor and control nodes in a Bluetooth mesh network.

Build a Smarter Building with Blue

See how Bluetooth increases reliability, reduces costs, and enhances your smart building ROI.

Overview – Bluetooth Mesh Networking

A quick overview outlining how Bluetooth mesh uniquely meets the reliability, scalability, and security requirements of commerical and industrial markets.

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