Wibree is a new interoperable radio technology for small devices. It can be built into products such as watches, wireless keyboards, gaming and sports sensors, which can then connect to host devices such as mobile phones and personal computers. It is essential the missing link between small devices and mobile devices/personal computers.
Wibree is the first open technology offering connectivity between mobile devices or personal computers, and small, button cell battery power devices. By extending the role mobile devices can play in consumers’ lives, this technology increases the growth potential in these market segments.
Wibree fullfills the need for a radio technology that:
- Allows communication between small button-cell battery devices and Bluetooth devices
- Forms a minimal cost and size addition to Bluetooth devices such as mobile phones and PCs
- Creates smaller and lower cost options for small button-cell battery devices
TECHNOLOGY
Wibree was designed with two equally important implementation alternatives in mind: stand-alone implementation and dual-mode implementation.
Wibree stand-alone implementation
is designed for use with applications which require extremely low power consumption, small size and low cost. Examples of devices that would benefit from the Wibree stand-alone implementation are: watches, sports and wellness devices and human interface devices (HID) such as wireless keyboards.
Bluetooth-Wibree dual-mode implementation
is designed for use in Bluetooth devices. In this type of implementation, Wibree functionality is integrated with Bluetooth for a minor incremental cost by utilizing key Bluetooth components and the existing Bluetooth RF. Examples of devices that would benefit from the Bluetooth-Wibree dual-mode implementation are mobile phones and personal computers.
Wibree radio specification
The Wibree radio specification allows Bluetooth-Wibree dual-mode implementation to utilize the existing Bluetooth RF and also enables ultra-low power consumption in stand-alone implementations.
Wibree link layer specification
Wibree link layer provides ultra low power idle mode operation, simple device discovery and reliable point-to-multipoint data transfer with advanced power-save and encryption functionalities. The link layer provides means to schedule Wibree traffic in between Bluetooth transmissions.
Wibree Profiles
The first interoperability specification of Wibree will include three profiles to optimize its functionality for a specific group of products:
- Watch profile
- Human Interface Device (HID) profile
- Sensor profile
