History of Bluetooth: From Concept to Global Standard

But how did this revolutionary development come about, and what inspired its creators? In this article, we will look at the history of Bluetooth, its development, and its impact on our lives.

Background. Scientific discoveries

The history of Bluetooth begins with fundamental discoveries in the field of physics. In the early 19th century, Hans Christian Ørsted and Michael Faraday put forward the idea of the existence of electromagnetic waves. In 1864, James Clerk Maxwell formulated a theory asserting that electromagnetic waves can propagate not only through wires but also through the air. In 1887, Heinrich Hertz experimentally confirmed Maxwell's theory. Then came the inventions of Alexander Stepanovich Popov and Guglielmo Marconi. Thus, radio waves became the basis for the development of wireless communication.

Another important discovery for Bluetooth technology was made, oddly enough, in Hollywood during World War II.

Actress Hedy Lamarr, together with composer George Antheil, developed an innovative guidance system for torpedoes. Using a mechanical piano roll, they created a technology that allowed signals to be transmitted at different frequencies.

Lamarr and Antheil successfully patented their discovery and handed it over to the US military in 1942.

The patent became the basis for the FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) method. This method formed the foundation of many modern wireless technologies.

Creation and Development of the Technology

In the early 1990s, when mobile phones began to gain popularity, the Swedish company Ericsson Mobile decided to expand the functionality of its devices.

The idea of Bluetooth was born from the company's technical director, Nils Rydbeck. He envisioned a world where users could communicate freely without taking their phones out of their pockets. He tasked his team of engineers to bring this idea to life.

The engineer Jaap Haartsen worked on this project. In 1994, Rydbeck tasked him with developing the concept of short-range radio communication between a mobile phone and nearby electronic devices that support voice and data transmission.

At that time, the company already had a project called "Cornelius," which explored wireless communication between a phone and a headset. However, it was based on analog technology and did not support data transmission.

Haartsen also studied other technologies, such as the DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) standard and the WLAN 802.11 wireless network. But they did not meet the requirements for peer-to-peer connectivity, voice and data support, and low power consumption.

The turning point occurred at the IEEE conference in The Hague. Haartsen attended symposia on personal, indoor and mobile radio communications, as well as wireless computer networks. He talked about it like this:

At the conference, I learned more about the use of the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) 2.4 GHz radio band as a global spectrum for communication and realized that this would be the way forward.

Furthermore, since it was an unlicensed band, the radio system operating in it had to deal with interference from other users, ranging from garage door openers to baby monitors. To deal with this interference, I chose frequency hopping.

In 1995, Sven Mattisson, a wireless technology engineer, joined Haartsen.

After nearly four years of intensive research and development in radio communications, Ericsson decided to create a new business, focusing on the concept of short-range radio communication. However, ensuring compatibility and widespread adoption of the technology could only be achieved by collaborating with other industries and companies.

One of the first major partners interested in the Bluetooth project was Intel. As part of the collaboration with Intel, Jim Kardach and Simon Ellis from Intel's mobile division joined the team. Together with other engineers from Intel, IBM, Nokia, and Ericsson, they helped create the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) in 1998 to standardize the technology.

Later, companies Nokia, Toshiba, and IBM joined the development. Nokia brought its expertise in mobile communications, helping to improve Bluetooth integration with mobile devices. Toshiba focused on the hardware part, ensuring the technology's compatibility with computers and other devices. IBM, in turn, contributed to the development of the logical layer and protocol standardization, which helped Bluetooth become a universal platform for wireless data transmission.

According to Ericsson, Bluetooth technology is protected by numerous patents, most of which belong to Ericsson itself. The latest patent was registered in 2024.

The patent that made Jaap Haartsen's name known in the tech world was titled "Frequency Hopping Piconets in an Uncoordinated Wireless Multi-User System."

The application for this patent was filed in September 1997, and it was officially granted by the US Patent Office in July 2003. Haartsen is listed as the principal inventor, and Ericsson is the assignee.

Name and Logo

The name of the technology was proposed by Jim Kardach, head of technology development at Intel. According to him, he chose "Bluetooth" as a temporary name, inspired by the history of the Danish king Harald I "Bluetooth" Gormsson.

"Just as Harald united Scandinavia, we aimed to unite the PC and mobile industries with short-range wireless communication," explained Kardach.

The name Bluetooth was taken as a temporary option until the marketing teams came up with something more memorable and impactful. However, fate decided otherwise. When it came time to choose the final name, two options came to the forefront: "RadioWire" and "PAN" (Personal Area Networking). But a thorough analysis showed that there were already a huge number of mentions of these terms on the internet.

As a result, the choice fell on "Bluetooth" — a name that quickly caught on, spread throughout the industry, and became synonymous with short-range wireless technology.

The Bluetooth logo is a bound rune combining Harald's initials. This symbol also reflects the original idea of the developers: uniting various devices into a single wireless network.

Bluetooth SIG

In 1998, Ericsson, Intel, Nokia, Toshiba, and IBM created Bluetooth SIG to develop a wireless communication standard that would connect various devices.

Bluetooth SIG is a non-profit organization based in Kirkland, Washington, responsible for licensing technologies and trademarks. It does not manufacture devices but oversees the implementation of Bluetooth technology. Today, Bluetooth SIG has more than 30,000 member companies.

In 1999, the first Bluetooth 1.0 specification was released. The first device with this technology was a hands-free headset. And in 2000, the Ericsson T36 mobile phone with Bluetooth support appeared, marking the next important step in the development of the technology.

In 2001, the first printers and laptops that also supported Bluetooth were released to the market.

By 2012, the volume of shipments of Bluetooth-enabled products reached 2 billion units worldwide. By the end of 2014, Bluetooth penetration in the mobile phone market reached 90%.

How Bluetooth Works

The principle of Bluetooth operation is similar to other wireless communication standards, such as radio or Wi-Fi: one device converts information into a signal and transmits it at a certain frequency, another device captures and converts the signal back into data.

Technical Basics

Bluetooth uses 2.4 GHz radio frequencies and the Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) protocol, switching between 79 channels up to 1600 times per second to avoid interference.

When multiple devices (e.g., smartwatches and fitness trackers) are connected to one smartphone, they form a piconet (PAN). In such a network, one device is the master, and the others are slaves. A piconet can have up to seven slave devices. Several piconets together form a distributed network (scatternet).

Bluetooth is often perceived as a short-range technology, but it can be used to connect devices over a distance.

The communication range depends on the class of sensors:

Class I: 100–200 meters. Industrial devices, such as production automation systems and communication systems for warehouses or factories.

Class II: 10–20 meters. Used in mobile devices, such as smartphones.

Class III: less than 5 meters. Ideal for low-power wearable devices. For example, smartwatches.

The communication range is inversely proportional to the data transfer rate: the farther the devices, the slower the information exchange.

Device Pairing

Pairing is the process by which Bluetooth devices register each other, creating a secure connection. Each device receives security keys and automatically connects when in range.

Device Identification

Bluetooth devices have a unique 48-bit address (BD_ADDR) represented in hexadecimal form. The upper 24 bits identify the manufacturer, and the lower bits are unique to the specific device. Devices can also have user-friendly names to facilitate identification.

Different Versions of Bluetooth and Their Features

There are currently 6 main versions of Bluetooth. Detailed descriptions and specifications of each Bluetooth version can be found on the official website of Bluetooth SIG.

Bluetooth 1.0

Bluetooth 1.0 was announced in 1998. This version had issues with signal stability and device compatibility. The updated version Bluetooth 1.0(B) improved the situation but limited user anonymity as it required mandatory device address transmission.

In 2000, Bluetooth 1.1 was released. Signal strength indication and data transmission over unencrypted channels were added.

In 2003, the Bluetooth 1.2 version was released. It increased the transmission speed to 1 Mbps and improved interference resistance, and also supported the A2DP profile for stereo sound transmission.

Bluetooth 2.0

In 2004, the Bluetooth 2.0 version was released with support for the "Enhanced Data Rate" (EDR) mode. This increased the maximum connection speed to 2.1 Mbps and improved performance. It also made it easier to synchronously connect multiple devices and reduced power consumption.

In 2007, the next update was released. Bluetooth 2.1 simplified device pairing. This version also introduced the Sniff Subrating technology, significantly reducing power consumption.

Bluetooth 2.1 improved connection security.

Bluetooth 3.0

In April 2009, the Bluetooth 3.0 standard was adopted. It increased data transfer speeds to 24 Mbps. It used two versions of the radio system: the standard 2.0 (up to 3 Mbps) and the high-speed (up to 24 MB/s) based on Wi-Fi 802.11, which allowed for adaptive transmission depending on the file size.

Bluetooth 4.0

In 2010, Bluetooth 4.0 was launched, which became a breakthrough in wireless technology due to its low power consumption and functionality.

The "low energy consumption" technology was introduced — Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Bluetooth 4.0 and later versions actually represent two wireless technologies: BR/EDR (classic Bluetooth, which continues to evolve from the first version of the standard), and BLE.

Classic Bluetooth (BR/EDR) provides high data transfer rates and is suitable for applications requiring a constant connection, such as audio or data transmission between devices.

Meanwhile, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is aimed at low-power devices, allowing them to operate on battery power significantly longer. Bluetooth 4.0 also provided a range of up to 100 meters. Subsequent updates Bluetooth 4.1 and 4.2 improved compatibility with LTE and increased bandwidth by 2.5 times.

Bluetooth 5.0

In 2016, Bluetooth 5.0 was introduced, offering significant improvements over previous versions. Data transfer rates doubled compared to version 4.2. The connection range was also improved, making the technology more suitable for smart home appliances.

Version 5.1 added support for mesh networks for connecting to multiple devices and a signal angle of arrival feature, which improved location tracking.

Bluetooth 5.2 introduced the LE Audio profile for high-quality audio streaming with lower power consumption and the Auracast protocol for broadcasting audio to multiple devices.

In 2021, Bluetooth 5.3 was released. It provided fast switching between performance modes, improved radio channel management, and allowed devices to independently detect radio interference.

On February 7, 2023, Bluetooth SIG introduced the Bluetooth 5.4 specification, which includes support for periodic advertisements with responses. Version 5.4 also adds encrypted advertisement data and new security features for the Generic Attribute Profile (LE GATT), enhancing the protection of transmitted information and adding flexibility in data transmission settings.

Bluetooth 6.0

On September 3, 2024, Bluetooth SIG released official statements regarding Bluetooth 6.0. The key feature of this update is Bluetooth Channel Sounding. This technology allows measuring the distance between devices with an accuracy of up to one centimeter.

The ISOAL technology enables more efficient transmission of large volumes of data, which is useful for streaming and virtual reality applications. The first devices supporting Bluetooth 6.0 are expected to hit the market in 2025.

The Role of Bluetooth Technology

Bluetooth technology has firmly entered our daily lives, providing wireless connectivity between numerous devices. It allows us to enjoy music through wireless headphones, control smart devices at home, and exchange data between phones without extra cables.

Alternatives

Bluetooth is popular, but it is not the only wireless communication standard. There are various alternative technologies, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

NFC(Near Field Communication) is a wireless communication technology that allows two devices to exchange data over a very short distance (usually up to 10 cm). NFC requires direct contact or very close proximity of the devices. One of the main advantages of NFC is its fast connection time (less than one-tenth of a second).

ZigBeeis a short-range network technology similar to Bluetooth LE. It operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, consumes little power, and supports up to 65,000 devices, which is more than Bluetooth LE. It is used in home automation (smart lighting, thermostats) and industrial automation.

Z-Wave is a proprietary technology competing with ZigBee and BLE, using a sub-1 GHz range (908 MHz in the USA, 868 MHz in Europe), which provides a greater range and less interference. However, the data transfer rate of Z-Wave is lower.

6LoWPAN is an IP-based technology that also competes with ZigBee and Z-Wave, and is used for home automation and smart meters.

NearLink is a wireless technology from Huawei. It is six times faster than Bluetooth, with 30 times less latency and 60% less power consumption. The range is doubled, and the number of connections is increased tenfold. The technology is already implemented in the Mate 60 smartphone and will be integrated into HarmonyOS and other Huawei devices. More than 300 Chinese companies support the project, but Intel, Qualcomm, AMD, and NVIDIA are not yet participating.

Advantages

Bluetooth is characterized by low power consumption. Devices operate at a power of only 2.5 mW, which is significantly less than the standard 100 mW for Wi-Fi. This allows headphones, smartwatches, and fitness trackers to run on a small battery. Peripheral devices such as computer keyboards and mice can use medium-sized batteries.

Bluetooth provides ease of connection. Just press a button and, if necessary, enter a PIN code. Devices automatically report their capabilities, making them easy to use.

Bluetooth supports more than 30 profiles, allowing it to be used in various scenarios — from audio transmission (A2DP) to data transfer (OPP).

The wide range of compatible Bluetooth devices allows users to easily connect and exchange data between many gadgets — from mobile phones and tablets to TVs and laptops.

Future

Technology does not stand still and new ways of data transmission may appear. For example, in 2023, researchers from the University of Sussex proposed a new method of data transmission over short distances using low-frequency electric field modulation.

This method consumes less energy and is less susceptible to external influences than Bluetooth. Although the idea is in its early stages, it is attracting interest in the scientific community. Scientists hope that their technology will become the new standard for short-range data transmission and replace Bluetooth.

Nevertheless, at the moment, Bluetooth technology strives to meet advanced technologies, constantly updating and improving. It has transformed beyond recognition compared to its original state. The wireless communication range has expanded from 10 meters in the first versions to an impressive 240 meters in the fifth. If older versions consumed a lot of energy from the main devices, now they use Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), which significantly saves battery power.

It is believed that the rapid growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) will make Bluetooth even more in demand. By 2026, device shipments will reach 7 billion. Also, Bluetooth can become the basis for new applications in the field of augmented and virtual reality, where fast and reliable data transmission between devices is required.

If you think about how many Bluetooth devices are in an ordinary city apartment, it is easier to name those where it is not. This technology has literally penetrated everything — from toys to refrigerators. And what device, in your opinion, should be equipped with Bluetooth?