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2026/01/26
Bluetooth Channel Sounding: Knowing the Distance
Bluetooth Channel Sounding: Knowing the Distance
Next-Generation Distance Measurement Technology
Bluetooth Channel Sounding represents a major leap forward in proximity and distance awareness for Bluetooth Low Energy, unlocking a new class of secure, precise, and reliable location-based experiences. Introduced with Bluetooth 6.0, Channel Sounding enables devices to measure true physical distance rather than relying on fluctuating signal strength, delivering consistent accuracy even in challenging, real-world environments.
Combining Phase and Time for Distance Estimation
This breakthrough is made possible by two complementary ranging techniques: Phase-Based Ranging (PBR) and Round-Trip Time (RTT). PBR estimates distance by examining how the phase of radio signals shifts as they travel across multiple frequencies, enabling highly precise measurements while minimizing the impact of noise and interference. RTT measures how long a signal takes to travel to another device and back, providing a reliable, absolute distance reference that is independent of signal strength. Together, PBR and RTT allow devices to exchange signals across multiple radio channels and intelligently analyze timing and phase information to calculate distance with far greater confidence than traditional methods.
Designed for Real-World Indoor Environments
As a result, Channel Sounding is specifically designed to perform reliably in complex indoor environments, where interference, reflections, and multipath effects often degrade conventional location solutions. Support for multiple antenna paths improves accuracy and robustness, while built-in security mechanisms help prevent relay and spoofing attacks. Importantly, Channel Sounding operates fully within the standard Bluetooth LE framework and requires no additional hardware, enabling advanced ranging without added cost or design complexity.
Enabling Proximity-Based Applications with Confidence
Together, these capabilities translate directly into powerful real-world applications. From secure smart locks and keyless vehicle entry to indoor asset tracking, geofencing, and context-aware automation, Bluetooth Channel Sounding enables smarter, safer, and more intuitive user experiences. Devices can confidently verify proximity before granting access, systems can track assets with greater precision, and IoT solutions can respond more intelligently to their physical surroundings. With its unique combination of accuracy, security, and ease of adoption, Bluetooth Channel Sounding sets a new standard for next-generation proximity services across consumer, industrial, and IoT markets.
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EFR32BG24 - Series 2 Bluetooth SoC
Silicon LabsThe EFR32BG24 wireless SoC fully supports Bluetooth 6.0 and Channel Sounding. With high-performance 2.4 GHz RF, ultra-low current consumption, an AI/ML hardware accelerator, and Secure Vault™, it is ideal for low-power, battery-powered IoT devices such as size-constrained asset trackers and keyless entry and start systems.
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MP3416 - Synchronous Step-Up Converter
MPSThe MP3416 regulates the output voltage using peak-current-control with a variable-frequency architecture. It operates with input voltages as low as 0.86 V and supports output voltages from 1.8 V to 5.5 V. The device also features over-temperature protection (OTP) with a thermal shutdown at 155°C, and achieves up to 80% efficiency under light-load conditions of 100 μA to 200 μA.
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XC6193 - Push Button Smart Load Switch
TorexThe XC6193 series are the Push Button load switch with functions best suitable for battery operated devices. The built-in high side switch is turned on by the Push Button and turned off by the "L" level signal into the SHDN pin from the MCU or the like. They’re also equipped with output capacitor inrush current limiting function and short-circuit protection function, realizing an intelligent load switch.
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PA.12 - 2.4GHz Dielectric PIFA Antenna
TaoglasThe PA.12 is designed to operate across the 2400–2484 MHz frequency band, supporting wireless applications such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee. Using a ceramic dielectric PIFA structure, the antenna delivers a compact footprint, high radiation efficiency, and improved isolation compared with conventional PCB-based antennas.
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