In a demonstration at a Luxembourg medical conference, CSR claims to have successfully transferred data packets using an ultra low power Bluetooth link. According to the company, the data rate was 50 times that of standard Bluetooth, whilst power consumption was said to be ten times less.
Previously known as Wibree, ULP Bluetooth can be used to transfer simple data sets between compact devices. Because it has low overheads, ULP Bluetooth can connect devices more quickly, with lower power consumption.
When used in a wireless heart rate monitor, for example, the monitor ‘advertises’ itself to the control/reader using three frequencies. It then connects, sends a very short burst of data and then switches off. This allows ULP Bluetooth to achieve data transfer 50 times faster than standard Bluetooth.
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