Bluetooth Channel Sounding
Secure, Accurate Distance Measurement Using Bluetooth LE
Bluetooth® channel sounding uses round trip time and phase based ranging measurements to offer improved accuracy, lower latency, and higher security. Previously known as HADM, Bluetooth channel sounding part of the Bluetooth specification, ensuring interoperability and consistency.
Measure Distance, Determine Position, and Enable Automation with Bluetooth
Secure
Multiple layers of security enhanced by NXP’s Edgelock technology
Accurate
NXP algorithms turn Bluetooth channel sounding data into accurate distance estimations
Low Latency
On-chip NXP Localization Compute Engine reduces algorithm execution time
Bluetooth creates a standard for the channel sounding procedure and weaves the procedure into standard Bluetooth traffic. Using time stamped packets sent between the initiator and reflector, round trip time (RTT) provides a course and secure distance estimate. The initiator and reflector then perform phase based ranging (PBR) by exchanging tones, enabling a more accurate distance estimate through measuring the phase shift in the tones.
The Bluetooth specification does not include the algorithm needed to turn the measurements into a distance estimation. NXP offers customers access to our algorithms, making it easy to implement a system using Bluetooth channel sounding.
Realizing the Potential of Channel Sounding with NXP Technology
The Bluetooth standard provides a standardized way of taking the channel sounding measurements; however, the standard does not provide any algorithms for turning those measurements into a distance estimate. NXP’s advanced algorithms, dedicated hardware and enhanced radio subsystem turn the channel sounding measurements into positioning information.
Advanced Algorithms
NXP algorithms improve accuracy in indoor and outdoor environments.
Dedicated Hardware
The on-chip Localization Compute Engine (LCE) from NXP reduces algorithm execution time by nearly 45%, reducing latency and power consumption.
Enhanced Radio Subsystem
Radio subsystem offloads main core and is upgradable to future versions of the standard.
Locationing Bluetooth Style
Our MCX W72 will unlock innovative use cases with channel sounding.
NXP Products with Channel Sounding Support
| Family | Speed | Flash | SRAM | Wireless Connectivity | SPI, UART, I²C, I3C | CAN-FD | Packages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
96 MHz |
|
|
|
2, 2, 2, 1 | 2 (Optional) | QFN48 7x7 mm |
|
96 MHz |
|
|
|
2, 2, 2, 1 | 2 (Optional) | QFN48 7x7 mm |
Channel Sounding Applications
Design Resources
Reference Design
Localization Reference Design
NXP's Localization Reference Design accelerates channel sounding development, contact your local NXP representative to learn more.