Bluetooth 5.0 reduces retransmission frequency and power consumption
TI Mass-producing Bluetooth 5.0 with a maximum range of 1.5km and low power consumption

Debate is in full swing regarding where Bluetooth 5.0, featuring low power consumption and extended reception range, will be first introduced: homes, factories, buildings, or automobiles. There is no set answer. However, if we prioritize tangible convenience, it will likely be adopted first in Home IoT, just as the Galaxy 8 quietly incorporated Bluetooth 5.0.

When Bluetooth 5.0 is integrated into 1:1 beacon-based door locks that previously relied on a gateway, the intermediate step is eliminated. This allows users to control and monitor the door lock from anywhere in the house using a mobile phone. This connectionless approach of Bluetooth reduces the number of retransmissions and current consumption, enabling operation even on coin cell batteries. So, what are the hurdles that must be overcome to promote IoT utilizing Bluetooth? There are currently no standards related to IoT applications.
"If beacons were connection-based data transmission, Bluetooth 5.0 is a broadcasting method. "These features are suitable not only for sensor networks used in home IoT but also for control, monitoring, and security networks, and can be expanded to a form where personalized information is broadcast to receive appropriate advertisements," he said.

Bluetooth 5.0 offers the flexibility to adjust between high-speed and long-range modes according to application requirements. This is because increasing the TX power increases reception sensitivity while keeping current consumption the same, and using a coding method increases the range while keeping current consumption the same. However, when using a coding method, the speed is reduced by half, so high-speed and long-range modes cannot be supported simultaneously.

TI began mass production of the fully certified Bluetooth 5.0 chip CC2640R2F and the automotive CC2640R2F-Q1 last December. Manager Bang stated, “The transmission range of the CC2640R2F is 1.5 km in long-range mode, which is the industry’s highest level,” and added, “With multi-role capabilities, a single device can support both a central device and peripheral devices simultaneously.”

Furthermore, although the CC2640R2F is equipped with an ARM Cortex M3, the sensor controller engine operates independently using the Cortex M0. It consumes low current by operating in a 'sleep-current' mode, waking up the Cortex M3 only when sensor data is received periodically or an event occurs.

TI supports Apple's iBeacon and Google's Eddystone beacon SDKs and provides a Launchpad for application in home IoT devices. It also plans to provide future software updates.