Bluetooth 6.0 to Improve Item Tracking With Better Distance Awareness

Bluetooth, the ubiquitous short-range radio standard developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is about to receive a “major” update with the Bluetooth 6.0 spec. New features in this update include Bluetooth Channel Sounding, which will improve device tracking solutions with “true distance awareness.” There are also other improvements to reduce latency in audio applications.

With Bluetooth Channel Sounding, the Bluetooth SIG says that “Find My” apps from Apple and Google will make it much easier to find lost items with much more precise distance measurement. The new technology will also provide security benefits for Bluetooth-based smart locks by only recognizing authorized users within a specified range.

Another Bluetooth 6.0 improvement highlighted by the organization is related to the Isochronous Adaptation Layer (ISOAL), which will allow the transfer of larger data frames in smaller packets and improve latency in audio applications. These enhancements should also improve the reliability of wireless connections to audio accessories.

While a new version of the Bluetooth core specification is now available, seeing the first devices with Bluetooth 6.0 support could take time. On a different note, the announcement from the Bluetooth SIG also details new features for companies using Bluetooth for advertising purposes. You can check out all the technical details on the Bluetooth blog.