Bluetooth is Finnicky and Power Hungry…and No Longer Needed

While Bluetooth technology has been around for ages, it is only in the past decade that the underlying technology has advanced to the point where it has become commonplace.  From phones to cars, speakers, and more – Bluetooth is everywhere.  Its development marked a significant advancement in wireless communication, shaping how we interact with technology in our daily lives.  However, this may soon change with the development of a new technology by researchers at the University of Sussex that promises to be more energy-efficient and requires a smaller footprint inside electronic devices through the use of electric field modulation.

Understanding Bluetooth

Before diving into electric field modulation and the benefits it can afford, it is important to understand what Bluetooth is, and how it works.

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a wireless technology enabling the exchange of data over short distances.  It’s named after Harald Bluetooth, a 10th-century king who united Denmark and Norway, symbolizing the technology’s intent to unify communication protocols.

Ericsson, a Swedish telecommunications company, initiated the development of Bluetooth in 1994 in an attempt to create an alternative to RS-232 data cables.  It wasn’t until 1999 that Bluetooth found its way into a consumer device.

Bluetooth’s initial versions, like 1.0 and 1.0B, had significant issues, including a lack of communication between devices.  It wasn’t until Bluetooth 4.0, which was released in 2010, that the technology finally had the polish to become commonplace in everyday electronics.

Over the years, Bluetooth has become ubiquitous in various devices, including smartphones, laptops, speakers, and car systems, for activities like file transfer, audio streaming, and as a means for IoT (Internet of Things) devices to communicate.  However, its usage has faced criticism for being finicky in terms of connectivity and pairing and for being relatively power-hungry compared to other wireless technologies, especially in its earlier versions.

As technology has advanced, alternatives like Wi-Fi Direct, NFC (Near Field Communication), and now electric field modulation have emerged, offering faster data transfer rates and more reliable connections for specific use cases.  This evolution has led to discussions about the decreasing necessity of Bluetooth in a world where more efficient and reliable wireless communication technologies are available.

How does it work?  Electromagnetic Modulation

Electromagnetic modulation is a fundamental technique used in wireless communication, including Bluetooth, to transmit information over electromagnetic waves.  With regards to Bluetooth, this involves encoding digital information onto radio waves in the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band.

Essentially, Bluetooth works by sending data through the air using electromagnetic waves.  This is done by changing (modulating) these waves in different ways to carry information.  There are three main types of changes that can be made:

1. Amplitude Modulation (AM): Changing the height (amplitude) of the waves.
2. Frequency Modulation (FM): Changing the spacing (frequency) between the waves.
3. Phase Modulation (PM): Changing the starting point (phase) of the waves.

For Bluetooth specifically:

• Gaussian Frequency-Shift Keying (GFSK): This is the basic way Bluetooth sends data.  It slightly changes the wave frequency to represent digital data, which is a stable and efficient method.
• Enhanced Data Rate (EDR): Used in newer Bluetooth versions to send data faster.  It combines GFSK with advanced methods of Phase Modulation, allowing more data to be sent in the same amount of time.
• Frequency Hopping: Bluetooth also changes its frequency in a pattern known to both the sending and receiving devices.  This makes it more secure and less likely to be disrupted by other devices.

Simply put, electromagnetic modulation in Bluetooth involves varying the frequency, phase, or amplitude of radio waves to transmit data.  This is achieved through methods like GFSK and enhanced schemes in EDR, all while utilizing frequency hopping for improved security and interference resistance.

Understanding Electric Field Modulation

Now that you’ve taken the time to learn about the advent of Bluetooth, and its inner workings relying on electromagnetic modulation, a better grasp on its potential replacement can be attained.

What is Electric Field Modulation?

As previously stated, there are now ongoing discussions surrounding the necessity of Bluetooth in modern devices.  This brings us to Electric Field Modulation.

Electric field modulation is a new technology developed and being shopped to manufacturers by Professors Robert Prance and Daniel Roggen at the University of Sussex.  If this team of researchers is correct in its interpretation, Electric Field Modulation may represent a significant leap forward in wireless data transmission technology – potentially replacing traditional electromagnetic modulation used in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and 5G.  The teams’ approach utilizes short-range electric waves for data transmission, which are inherently more energy-efficient than electromagnetic waves.

From a more technical standpoint, electric field modulation differs significantly from its electromagnetic counterpart by controlling variations in electric fields, rather than encoding data on electromagnetic waves.  Electric fields, which are an aspect of the electromagnetic spectrum, are created by electric charges and can influence other charges in their vicinity.  By modulating these fields, data can be transmitted between devices that are in close proximity.  The team notes that its early “…system is capable of transmitting 8-bit mono audio at a sample rate of 16 kHz (128 kbps) with a BER of less than 10 ^−6.7 at 50 cm, and less than 10 ⁻⁴ at 75 cm,”

The proximity limitations of electric field modulation make it particularly suitable for personal and wearable devices as they are often close to whatever it is they are interacting with.  The researchers behind the technology note that this approach significantly reduces power consumption, thereby extending the battery life of devices.

Moreover, the team indicates that electric field modulation opens up novel interaction paradigms.

“The development could advance how we use tech in our day to day lives and evolve a wide range of futuristic applications too. For example, a bracelet using this technology could enable phone numbers to be exchanged simply by shaking hands or a door could be unlocked just by touching the handle.”

This aspect of the technology not only enhances user experience but also paves the way for a range of futuristic applications, seamlessly integrating technology into everyday interactions.

How is it superior?

Commenting on how this technology is superior, Daniel Roggen, Professor of Engineering and Design at U of S, states,

“We no longer need to rely on electromagnetic modulation, which is inherently battery hungry. We can improve the battery life of wearable technology and home assistants, for example, by using electric field modulation instead of Bluetooth. This solution will not only make our lives much more efficient, but it also opens novel opportunities to interact with devices in smart homes.

Important to note is that over the years, there have been many technologies that are simply too cost-prohibitive to become practical, hindering widescale adoption.  If the team behind Electric field modulation is correct, it will not be one of them.  Rather, Roggen states that,

“The technology is also low cost, meaning it could be rolled out to society quickly and easily. If this were mass produced, the solution can be miniaturised to a single chip and cost just a few pence per device, meaning that it could be used in all devices in the not-too-distant future.”

The bottom line is that electric field modulation could be set to revolutionize how we connect our devices in the coming years.  It offers a low-power, efficient, and intuitive way to transmit data, especially in scenarios where devices are within close range of each other.  This advancement promises to extend battery life, reduce costs, and enable new forms of interaction with technology.

Furthermore, the low cost and potential for miniaturization make it a practical and scalable alternative.  These qualities position electric field modulation as a superior choice for personal and smart home devices, promising enhanced user interaction while conserving energy.  Simply put, in most instances, this technology is more affordable, flexible, and efficient than Bluetooth.

Real-World Applications

As mentioned Electric field modulation technology, with its innovative approach to data transmission, has the potential to revolutionize various aspects of our daily lives.  Some of the most likely real-world applications include:

• Wearable Technology: Devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches could communicate more efficiently with smartphones, greatly enhancing battery life.
• Smart Home Interaction: This technology could allow users to interact with home appliances in an intuitive way, such as turning on lights or adjusting thermostats by simply touching them.
• Social and Professional Networking: The exchange of digital information, like contact details or social media profiles, could be made easier, possibly through actions as simple as a handshake.
• Security Applications: Keyless entry systems could become more convenient and secure, with doors being unlocked by just touching the handle, eliminating the need for physical keys or complex security codes.

These applications highlight the potential of electric field modulation to seamlessly blend technology into our everyday interactions, making them more natural and energy-efficient.

Industry Players

While it is unclear if any major manufacturers have eyes on electric field modulation at this time, there are a few clear leaders in the world of wireless technologies.  The following are examples of this.

*Figures provided below were accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change.  Any potential investor should verify metrics*

1.  NXP Semiconductors

(NXP )

NXP Semiconductors, a Dutch semiconductor manufacturer, is notable for its extensive portfolio in wireless technologies.  It offers products including Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, NFC, and Ultra-Wideband for diverse applications in automotive, IoT, and smart home sectors.  Its technologies facilitate precise localization, wireless control, and connectivity standards like the Matter protocol.  NXP’s acquisition of Marvell’s wireless assets in 2019 has further expanded their wireless capabilities.  Its solutions are used in various sectors, including industrial IoT, medical, and consumer electronics.

2.  Broadcom Inc.

(AVGO )

Broadcom Inc. is a global leader in semiconductors, serving the wired infrastructure, wireless communications, enterprise storage, and industrial markets.  As an American multinational company, it designs, develops, manufactures, and supplies a wide range of semiconductor and infrastructure software products.  Broadcom’s extensive product portfolio includes complex digital and mixed-signal CMOS-based devices, analog III-V based products, storage adapters, controllers, and integrated circuits.  The company operates in two primary segments: Semiconductor Solutions and Infrastructure Software.  Notably, in the wireless technology sector, Broadcom contributes significantly with components essential for wireless communications.

3.  Intel Corporation

(INTC )

Intel Corporation, an American multinational technology company, is one of the world’s largest semiconductor chip manufacturers.  Founded in 1968, Intel was instrumental in developing the SRAM and DRAM memory chips and created the world’s first commercial microprocessor chip in 1971.  Its success with personal computers in the 1980s shifted its focus primarily to microprocessors.  Intel supplies microprocessors for most computer system manufacturers and also produces motherboard chipsets, network interface controllers, integrated circuits, flash memory, and graphics chips.  In recent years, Intel faced increased competition, particularly from AMD, which led to a reduction in its market share and spurred attempts to diversify beyond semiconductors.

Notable Mentions

Outside of the trio of companies listed above, the following are each notable, publicly traded, companies working in similar fields.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the evolution of wireless communication technology, from Bluetooth to Electric Field Modulation, marks a significant leap in how we interact with the world around us.  While Bluetooth has laid a solid foundation for short-range digital communication, the team of researchers developing Electric Field Modulation believes it stands poised to redefine these interactions, offering greater energy efficiency and a more intuitive user experience.

This transition not only highlights the rapid pace of technological advancement but also opens new possibilities for integrating technology into our daily lives seamlessly and sustainably.  The future of wireless communication looks set to be more efficient, more intuitive, and deeply integrated into the fabric of our everyday interactions.