What’s New with the Latest Bluetooth Mesh Specification

In the evolving landscape of IoT, Bluetooth mesh topology has emerged as an important development for IoT device connectivity and network communication. This technology allows for multi-hop and many-to-many communication, making it ideal for large-scale device network applications. 

With the Bluetooth SIG’s recent Bluetooth mesh feature enhancements, we are taking this opportunity to explore six specific features that promise to enhance security, improve network efficiency, reduce power consumption, and simplify setup.

Directed Forwarding: Navigating Messages with Precision

A hallmark feature of mesh networks is their ability to relay messages through various paths, ensuring efficient and reliable communication. These enhancements introduce Directed Forwarding, a groundbreaking concept that optimizes message delivery. By establishing direct paths from source to destination using a collection of relay nodes, Directed Forwarding minimizes unnecessary message flooding, reducing power consumption and improving network efficiency. This innovation is set to resolve common challenges associated with message looping and scalability, further solidifying the reliability of Bluetooth mesh networks.

Subnet Bridging: Balancing Security and Communication

The introduction of subnets in Bluetooth mesh 1.0 enhanced network security by isolating different parts of a building network. But it also led to communication inefficiencies between devices in different subnets. Enter Subnet Bridging, a feature that strikes a balance between security and efficient communication. This advancement allows selective communication between devices in different, adjacent subnets without compromising network security. Subnet Bridging opens the door to seamless communication across subnets, empowering smart home applications and large-scale industrial networks alike.

Remote Provisioning: Expanding Horizons of Network Setup

Traditionally, provisioning a new device into a network required proximity to the provisioner, limiting setup possibilities, especially in complex environments. With these Bluetooth mesh feature enhancements comes Remote Provisioning, which eliminates the need for physical proximity during device setup. This capability enables provisioning over multiple hops, allowing provisioners and devices to be located in different areas of a building. The remote provisioning process simplifies complex device configuration, facilitating hassle-free setup and management across expansive IoT networks.

Certificate-Based Provisioning: Elevating Security Standards

Security takes center stage with Certificate-Based Provisioning, a feature that authenticates devices using X.509 format digital certificates. This authentication process ensures that only verified devices can connect to the network, enhancing overall network security. By incorporating certificate-based provisioning, the new Bluetooth mesh enhancements strengthen device authentication, making it a vital tool in thwarting unauthorized access and counterfeiting.

Device Firmware Updates: Streamlined Maintenance

Keeping device firmware up to date is crucial for network security, but manual updates pose challenges in mesh 1.0. The updated version introduces Device Firmware Updates, automating the process of monitoring, acquiring, and distributing firmware updates across the network. This functionality streamlines maintenance, ensuring that devices stay secure and optimized without consuming excessive power or network resources.

Private Beacons: Enhancing User Privacy

Privacy takes a front seat with Private Beacons, a new mesh feature that encrypts beacon data using the PrivateBeaconKey and a random number. This encryption prevents static information from being exposed in beacon messages, bolstering user privacy and network security. Private beaconing ensures that sensitive data remains confidential, particularly vital in applications involving wearables and location-based services.

A Bright Future for Bluetooth Mesh Networks

Some of the areas that will benefit from these new features include industrial and commercial applications. Lighting, for example, requires large-scale, low-power device networks where thousands of devices need to communicate with one another efficiently, reliably, and securely. Commissioning and maintenance of such networks must also be easy and efficient in order to reduce the total cost of ownership. The Bluetooth SIG’s new mesh networking standard introduces a plethora of new features addressing the needs and challenges of large commercial networks. 

These innovative features represent a significant step-change in network security, efficiency, and ease of use. As technology continues to evolve, Silicon Labs stands ready to support device developers in harnessing the power of the latest Bluetooth mesh specification features, ushering in a new era of secure, efficient, and interconnected IoT networks. Silicon Labs is one of the key contributors to the development and implementation of Bluetooth mesh standard.

For a deeper dive into these new features, read our whitepaper, Six Bluetooth Mesh Feature Enhancements to Get Excited About, or learn about Silicon Labs' Bluetooth portfolio and be part of the future of IoT connectivity. You can also check out our recent Bluetooth LE Device Development sessions at Works With, including a dedicated course on the latest Bluetooth mesh features.