From Nordic: "New Direction Finding feature opens up new opportunities for Bluetooth and Nordic Semiconductor"
About Symmetry Electronics
Established in 1998, Symmetry Electronics, a Division of Braemac, is a global distributor of electronic components and systems. Combining premier components and comprehensive value-added services with an expert in-house engineering team, Symmetry supports engineers in the design, development, and deployment of a broad range of connected technologies.
Exponential Technology Group Member
Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway company TTI, Inc. in 2017, Symmetry Electronics is a proud Exponential Technology Group (XTG) member. A collection of specialty semiconductor distributors and engineering design firms, XTG stands alongside industry leaders TTI Inc., Mouser Electronics, and Sager Electronics. Together, we provide a united global supply chain solution with the shared mission of simplifying engineering, offering affordable technologies, and assisting engineers in accelerating time to market. For more information about XTG, visit www.xponentialgroup.com.
On January 28th the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) released a new v5.1 version of the Bluetooth Core Specification supporting a brand-new feature called Direction Finding. This enhances existing Bluetooth Locationing Services with improved accuracy in real-time locationing (RTLS) and indoor positioning systems beyond what was previously possible with Bluetooth wireless technology.
Until now, Bluetooth® Locationing Services relied on signal strength to calculate distances and determine indoor positioning between devices in applications such as proximity marketing, personal ‘find me’ tags, and asset tracking. By adding Direction Finding capabilities into these systems, a device can in addition to crude distance information now also know the direction of a signal from another Bluetooth device and as such improve the location accuracy.
“Nordic Semiconductor, a long-term contributor to the Bluetooth Core Specification and an Associate Member of the Bluetooth SIG, is excited to see this enhancement coming to Bluetooth as it allows its customers to build better positioning accuracy into their Bluetooth locationing applications,” says Kjetil Holstad, Product Manager for Short Range Connectivity at Nordic. “There is a strong need for good and accurate location services both at the consumer level and in the B2B segment. This opens up the possibility of not just knowing approximate distance, but also direction in three dimensions that will allow our customers to build even better locationing systems.”
Holstad continues: “Nordic Semiconductor strives to be a leading company in Bluetooth wireless technology and that means at all times being on-par with the latest specification. I’m glad to see that our R&D teams not only contributed to the Bluetooth v5.1 standardization work but also made sure we have a new device available, the nRF52811, in the highly popular nRF52 Series capable of supporting all the latest features of Bluetooth v5.1. Going forward our customers can expect all new Bluetooth devices from Nordic Semiconductor to fully support the new Bluetooth v5.1 specification.”
The nRF52811 is already sampling to lead customers. General availability and a fully featured and qualified Bluetooth v5.1 solution will follow later in 2019.
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About Symmetry Electronics
Established in 1998, Symmetry Electronics, a Division of Braemac, is a global distributor of electronic components and systems. Combining premier components and comprehensive value-added services with an expert in-house engineering team, Symmetry supports engineers in the design, development, and deployment of a broad range of connected technologies.
Exponential Technology Group Member
Acquired by Berkshire Hathaway company TTI, Inc. in 2017, Symmetry Electronics is a proud Exponential Technology Group (XTG) member. A collection of specialty semiconductor distributors and engineering design firms, XTG stands alongside industry leaders TTI Inc., Mouser Electronics, and Sager Electronics. Together, we provide a united global supply chain solution with the shared mission of simplifying engineering, offering affordable technologies, and assisting engineers in accelerating time to market. For more information about XTG, visit www.xponentialgroup.com.