블루투스는 까다롭고 전력 소모가 많다…이제는 필요하지 않다

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.

블루투스 이해하기

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

블루투스란 무엇인가?

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 (ERIC ), 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.

블루투스는 어떻게 작동하는가?  전자기 변조

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. 진폭 변조 (AM): 파형의 높이(진폭)를 변경하는 방식.
2. 주파수 변조 (FM): 파형 사이의 간격(주파수)을 변경하는 방식.
3. 위상 변조 (PM): 파형의 시작점(위상)을 변경하는 방식.

For Bluetooth specifically:

• 가우시안 주파수 이동 키잉 (GFSK): 블루투스가 데이터를 전송하는 기본 방식입니다. 파형 주파수를 약간 변동시켜 디지털 데이터를 나타내며, 안정적이고 효율적인 방법입니다.
• 향상된 데이터 전송률 (EDR): 최신 블루투스 버전에서 데이터를 더 빠르게 전송하기 위해 사용됩니다. GFSK에 고급 위상 변조 방식을 결합하여 동일 시간 내에 더 많은 데이터를 전송할 수 있습니다.
• 주파수 홉핑: 블루투스는 송수신 장치가 모두 알고 있는 패턴으로 주파수를 전환합니다. 이를 통해 보안성이 향상되고 다른 장치에 의한 방해 가능성이 줄어듭니다.

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.

전기장 변조 이해하기

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.

전기장 변조란 무엇인가?

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.

“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.

전기장 변조는 어떻게 우수한가?

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.

실제 적용 사례

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:

• 웨어러블 기술: 피트니스 트래커와 스마트워치와 같은 기기가 스마트폰과 보다 효율적으로 통신하여 배터리 수명을 크게 향상시킬 수 있습니다.
• 스마트 홈 상호 작용: 사용자가 조명을 켜거나 온도 조절기를 손으로 간단히 터치하는 것만으로도 가전 제품과 직관적으로 상호 작용할 수 있게 합니다.
• 소셜 및 전문 네트워킹: 연락처 정보나 소셜 미디어 프로필과 같은 디지털 정보를 교환하는 것이 더 쉬워질 수 있으며, 악수와 같은 간단한 동작만으로도 가능할 수 있습니다.
• 보안 응용: 무키 엔트리 시스템이 더 편리하고 안전해질 수 있으며, 손잡이를 터치하는 것만으로 문을 열 수 있어 물리적 열쇠나 복잡한 보안 코드를 없앨 수 있습니다.

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

산업 플레이어

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.

*아래 제공된 수치는 작성 시점에 정확했으며 변동될 수 있습니다. 잠재적 투자자는 지표를 확인해야 합니다*

1.  NXP Semiconductors

시가총액	P/E 비율	주당순이익 (EPS)
51,617,101,025	18.57	$10.79

NXP Semiconductors (VNX.DE ) 는 네덜란드의 반도체 제조업체로, 무선 기술 포트폴리오가 방대합니다. 블루투스 저전력, Wi‑Fi, NFC, 초광대역(UWB) 등을 자동차, IoT, 스마트 홈 분야에 다양하게 적용합니다. 이 기술들은 정밀 위치 파악, 무선 제어, Matter 프로토콜과 같은 연결 표준을 지원합니다. NXP는 2019년에 Marvell의 무선 자산을 인수하여 무선 역량을 더욱 확대했습니다. 이 솔루션은 산업용 IoT, 의료, 소비자 전자 등 다양한 분야에서 사용됩니다.

2.  Broadcom Inc.

AVGO 가격 차트

시가총액	P/E 비율	주당순이익 (EPS)
400,906,504,455	29.85	32.52

Broadcom Inc. (AVGO ) 는 유선 인프라, 무선 통신, 엔터프라이즈 스토리지, 산업 시장을 담당하는 글로벌 반도체 선두 기업입니다. 미국 다국적 기업으로, 다양한 반도체 및 인프라 소프트웨어 제품을 설계·개발·제조·공급합니다. Broadcom의 포트폴리오는 복합 디지털 및 혼합 신호 CMOS 기반 장치, 아날로그 III‑V 기반 제품, 스토리지 어댑터, 컨트롤러, 집적 회로 등을 포함합니다. 회사는 반도체 솔루션과 인프라 소프트웨어 두 주요 부문으로 운영됩니다. 특히 무선 기술 분야에서 Broadcom은 무선 통신에 필수적인 부품을 제공하며 큰 기여를 하고 있습니다.

3.  Intel Corporation

INTC 가격 차트

시가총액	전년도 예상 P/E 비율 1년	주당순이익 (EPS)
187,253,640,000	199.82	$-0.40

Intel (INTC ) Corporation은 미국의 다국적 기술 기업으로, 세계 최대 반도체 칩 제조업체 중 하나입니다. 1968년에 설립된 Intel은 SRAM 및 DRAM 메모리 칩 개발에 핵심적인 역할을 했으며, 1971년에 세계 최초의 상용 마이크로프로세서 칩을 만들었습니다. 1980년대 개인용 컴퓨터에서의 성공으로 주력 사업을 마이크로프로세서로 전환했습니다. Intel은 대부분의 컴퓨터 시스템 제조업체에 마이크로프로세서를 공급하며, 마더보드 칩셋, 네트워크 인터페이스 컨트롤러, 집적 회로, 플래시 메모리, 그래픽 칩도 생산합니다. 최근 몇 년간 AMD와의 경쟁이 심화되면서 시장 점유율이 감소했고, 반도체 외 사업 다각화를 시도하고 있습니다.

주목할 만한 기업들

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

Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (MRVL ) (MRVL)	CEVA, Inc. (CEVA ) (CEVA)
Socket Mobile, Inc. (SCKT ) (SCKT)	STMicroelectronics (STM)
Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM ) (QCOM)	Texas Instruments (TXN ) (TXN)
Sony Corporation (SONY)	Nokia Corporation (NOK)

 

최종 생각

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.

(NXPI )