We bring together the most relevant Electronics Weekly content on a range of wireless technologies:

Note: "Wibree" became known as "Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth" and then also became "Bluetooth low energy"

Wibree - which is now known as Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth, or even Bluetooth low energy - is radio technology for small, button cell battery-powered devices, such as  watches, wireless keyboards, and gaming and sports sensors. These objects can then connect to Bluetooth-enabled host devices, whether computers or mobile phones.

Potentially, it could play a part in Bluetooth becoming the de facto wireless technology for the last 25 metres of the wireless Internet.

As its name suggests, the ultra low power Bluetooth is intended for applications where low power consumption and low cost are the major requirements. Its proponents argue that it is complementary, and not a rival, to existing Bluetooth technology, which is more suited for data streaming and file transfers.

Note that Wibree became ULP Bluetooth in June 2007, and it has two forms of implementation: stand-alone and dual-mode, which uses a combination of Wibree and Bluetooth technology.

Whereas the likes of watches and sensors will typically be based on a stand-alone implementation, more traditional Bluetooth-enabled devices, for example smartphones, could use dual-mode implementation to extend Bluetooth connectivity to new, smaller devices.

Both modes would share one physical radio and antenna, and a dual-mode device that connected to a stand-alone 'Wibree' device would enjoy lower power consumption.

To complete the mix of RF technologies, there is also ZigBee. This is a low-power networking technology supporting thousands of nodes, whereas ULP Bluetooth would link a small number of nodes to a host device, such as computer or phone.

ELECTRONICS WEEKLY NEWS ON WIBREE

Latest News on Wibree

• RF Digital RFD21731/RFD21733 2.4GHz wireless modules
• Electronics Weekly on Wikipedia (Electro-ramblings)
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• The A - Z of wireless comms (Electro-ramblings)
• iSuppli strips down Apple iPhone and iPod touch differences

Previous news stories to note

Bluetooth bites for the last 25 metres of the wireless Internet
Bluetooth is set to become the de facto wireless technology for the last 25 metres of the Internet, according to John Scarisbrick, CEO of Bluetooth chipset supplier CSR.

TI goes from ZigBee to Wibree
Texas Instruments is turning its attention from low-power RF ZigBee technology to the Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth wireless technology formerly known as Wibree

Multi-standard chip is way forward for wireless
An IC supporting several wireless standards is the way forward for the telecoms industry, as device manufacturers demand more options and the technologies are used together to improve performance.

Antenova antenna covers Bluetooth, WiFi, Wibree and ZigBee
Antenna developer Antenova has introduced a short range antenna intended for wireless headset, mobile handset and portable device applications

Wibree becomes ULP Bluetooth
Wibree has been renamed as Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth following the Wibree Forum's absorption into the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).

Wibree aims for Bluetooth-style branding
A repeat of the success story of Bluetooth, with a recognisable brand name and interoperability, is the aim for the Wibree ultra low power, short range, wireless technology by 2008.

Nokia wants speedy adoption of son of Bluetooth
Nokia has spawned a new name in short-range wireless networking which it hopes will have the same impact on the market that Bluetooth did five or so years ago.

ELECTRONICS WEEKLY TRENDS & TECHNOLOGIES

Bluetooth the way forward for wireless

WiFi - Wireless networks here to stay

Future of WiMax promising, despite critics

ZigBee low-power radio networking

Ofcom and the regulation of UK communications

Wibree.com

Wibree FAQ

Wibree (Wikipedia)

Zigbee (Wikipedia)