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1.INTRODUCTION:

Wibree is a digital radio technology (intended to become an open standard of wireless

communications) designed for ultra low power consumption (button cell batteries) within a

short range (10 meters / 30 ft) based around low-cost transceiver microchips in each device.[1]

As of June, 2007 Wibree is known as Bluetooth ultra low power, in 2008 renamed Bluetooth

low energy.

Wibree is a new radio technology developed by Nokia. It consumes only a fraction of

the power compared to other such radio technologies, enabling smaller and less costly

implementations and it is easy to integrate with Bluetooth solutions. In 2001, Nokia

researchers determined that there were various scenarios that contemporary wireless

technologies did not address. To address the problem, Nokia Research Center started the

development of a wireless technology adapted from the Bluetooth standard which would

provide lower power usage and price while minimizing difference between Bluetooth and the

new technology. The results were published in 2004 using the name Bluetooth Low End

Extension. After further development with partners, e.g., within EU FP6 project MIMOSA,

the technology was released to public in October 2006 with brand name Wibree.[2] After

negotiations with Bluetooth SIG members, in June 2007, an agreement was reached to include

Wibree in future Bluetooth specification as an Bluetooth ultra-low-power technology, now

known as Bluetooth low energy technology

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2.HISTORY:

Around 2001, the Nokia Research Center was looking at options for future personal

wireless networking. The company realized that there was room for developing an ultra-low

power, wireless technology that could interface cost-effectively with a large variety of existing

and future devices, which, until now had not been effectively served by available existing

technologies. Towards this end, Nokia decided to create a new open wireless protocol, and

now, along with its partners Broadcom Corporation, CSR, Epson, and Nordic Semiconductor,

is working to bring it to market.

Wibree would use only a fraction of the power consumed by today's Bluetooth chips,

resulting in a much longer battery life and more compact devices. While Bluetooth can be

used to transmit audio and media files, Wibree is designed to extend this network by serving

applications that transmit only small amounts of data and where size and cost are priorities.

Many applications that were not cost-effective using existing Bluetooth technology, such as

wirelessly controlled toys, watches, medical and sports sensors, and a range of other

applications that have not been conceived yet, might be developed using Wibree technology.

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Figure1:Nokia aeon phone concept - future mobile phones will include Wibree (Credit: nokia).

There will be two types of Wibree implementations – one based on the Wibree stand-

alone chip, and another based on the Wibree-Bluetooth dual-mode chip - which will serve

different purposes and be installed on different devices. Stand-alone Wibree chips would be

implemented in small, low cost devices such as wireless mouse and keyboards, sensors, and

toys. The Wibree-Bluetooth dual-mode chips would probably be implemented in future

mobile phones, allowing users to benefit from both worlds – Bluetooth 2.0 high speed and

Wibree's low power and extended ability to communicate with a new generation of smaller

wireless devices.

Media Access Controller (MAC) for the 802.15.4 standard, which is now the basis of

ZigBee and other short range radio networks. Back in 2001 two industry groups put forward

proposals for the form of this radio. Nokia headed one of the groups and proposed a

development that was handset centric. A major tenet of their design was that “it can be

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deployed with minor effort into devices already having Bluetooth, e.g. cellphones” with the

added requirement that a “common RF section with Bluetooth must be possible”. In the event,

the IEEE committee chose to adopt the alternative proposal for the 802.15.4Standard it has

developed and matured into what has now been announced to the world as Wibree. It

derivation shows some of the same interest in northern European history and mythology that

generated Bluetooth. The “Wi” is the now obligatory prefix for “wireless”, with Nokia

claiming that the “bree” comes from the Old English word for a crossroad. . So we have

“Wireless at the Crossroad”, “Wireless to be scared of” or Wireless eyebrows”.

2.1WHAT IS WIREE:

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 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

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Figure 2: Brewing Wibree pans.

Nordic Semiconductor has become one of the first members joining the Wibree open

initiative and is member of the Wibree specification group. Other members include CSR,

Broadcom, Epson, Suunto, and Taiyo Yuden.Specification work for Wibree is currently under

way. The technology will be made broadly available to the industry through an open and

preferably existing forum. The specification details a short-range RF communication

technology featuring ultra low power consumption, a lightweight protocol stack and

integration with Bluetooth.Wibree operates in the globally accepted 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial,

Scientific & Medical ) band.

Wibree, also called "Baby Bluetooth," is a low-power wireless local area network

(WLAN) technology that facilitates interoperability among mobile and portable consumer

devices such as pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless computer peripherals,

entertainment devices.

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3 .TECHNICAL INFORMATION:

Wibree is designed to work side-by-side with and complement Bluetooth. It operates in

2.4 GHz ISM band with physical layer bit rate of 1 Mbit/s. Main applications include devices

such as wrist watches, wireless keyboards, toys and sports sensors where low power

consumption is a key design requirement. Wibree is not designed to replace Bluetooth, but

rather to complement the technology in supported devices. Bob Iannucci, head of Nokia's

Research Centre, claims the technology is up to ten times more efficient than Bluetooth.[5]

Reportedly, it will have an output power around -6 dBm.[6] Respective test environment

specification to normalize and directly compare the offered alternatives are not available.

4.The Wibree specification group:

The Wibree specification group is an association of companies working together on the

Wibree interoperability specification. This specification describes the protocol stack from the

physical layer up to a set of profiles that supports specific usage models along with

compliance and interoperability test procedures. Initiated and headed by Nokia, the group

currently includes Nordic Semiconductor, CSR, Broadcom, Epson, Suunto and Taiyo Yuden.

All of these companies are contributing to the specification in their respective areas of

expertise.There is an irony in the fact that the origins of Wibree were the alternative proposal

for the radio and Media Access Controller (MAC) for the 802.15.4 standard, which is now the

basis of ZigBee and other short range radio networks.

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5.Nordic Semiconductor and Wibree:

As a pioneer and global leader in ultra-low power 2.4 GHz wireless communications,

Nordic Semiconductor is an established transceiver supplier for many of the key applications

targeted by Wibree. Wibree’s adoption into PC accessories enabling the next wireless mice

and keyboards.

Nordic is also a member of the Wibree specification group, and has contributed core

expertise in ultra-low power RF design to the technology.

6.WIBREE AND BLUETOOTH:

Bluetooth is a great technology and brand, adopted worldwide. Bluetooth is widely used in

mobile devices like PC’s and phones, as well as in wireless headsets. However, other products

relying on button cell batteries as a source of power, e.g. watches, toys and human interface

devices, are not served effectively by Bluetooth.

6.1Similarities:-

Wibree and Bluetooth use the 2.45 GHz band to transfer data and have a 1

Mbps transfer rate and a rage of about 10 meters (m). In Wibree-Bluetooth dual-mode they

share the components like antenna.

Wibree is ultra low power technology.

The maximum transmitted output power of Bluetooth class 2 is 4dBm,(~ 2.5 mW). The

total power consumption is much higher. The output power of Wibree standard will be around

-6dBm. Each manufacturer will determine its own transmit power.

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With several other formats for short-range wireless already on the market or in development,

tech pundits questioned what niche Wibree would fill, or even if there was room for it at all.

Figure 3:Wibree products

While the long-term success of Wibree remains to be seen, it does have several

advantages over the competition, and it has been positioned as a compliment to Bluetooth

technology rather than as a competitor.

Wibree, it turns out, will use the same radio frequency as Bluetooth, a major advantage

over competitors. Using the same basic mechanism for wireless communication will make it

much easier for devices to build in both Wibree and Bluetooth compatibility.

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So why is Wibree a compliment to Bluetooth? It performs many of the same functions

that Bluetooth does while using far less power. Wibree would allow for the use of wireless

technology in many devices that require long battery life. People don't want to change the

battery in their wireless keyboard or wireless-enabled watch every week, and with Wibree

they wouldn't need to. Wibree chips are also smaller than Bluetooth chips, which would make

it easier to use them in certain applications where space is at a premium.

However, Wibree transmits data more slowly than Bluetooth -- up to 1 megabit per

second, compared to Bluetooth's 3 megabits per second. It's easy to see that Wibree can't go

head to head with Bluetooth in applications in which more bandwidth is needed.

The future of Wibree is complicated by the fact that existing wireless technologies are

still evolving. While Nokia is likely hoping that Wibree will be completely integrated into

Bluetooth at some point, developers are working to reduce the power draw of Bluetooth

devices..

Specific details on Wibree's power consumption are not yet available -- Wibree-

enabled devices should hit the market in the next few years.

By the way, if you're wondering where they got the name Wibree, Nokia hasn't offered

any information, but it could be related to the name of another wireless technology that is in

direct competition with Wibree : Zigbee.

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6.2Radio chips:

Wibree radio chips - which operate over a distance of 30ft (10m) - are also smaller

than Bluetooth chips and will suit devices which up to now do not typically have wireless

technology built-in. Watches, health monitors and sport sensors are three of the uses touted by

Nokia. The technology is also likely to be used in mobile phones to help prolong battery

power. The new wireless system can transfer data at speeds of up to 1Mbps, about a third of

the speed of current Bluetooth technology.

Bluetooth technology was invented by Ericsson in the 1990s and was given away to the

market as an open standard.

7. WIBREE V/S BLUETOOTH:

Wibree differs from Bluetooth in several fundamental ways.

1. Recent Bluetooth specifications, notably 2.0, are designed with an emphasis on

throughput, or data transfer speed. Bluetooth 2.0 devices can exceed speeds of 350

kb/s under ideal conditions. This is about three times the maximum speed of planned

Wibree devices, which transfer data no faster than.128 kb/s. The tradeoff comes to

light in terms of power, space and weight savings. Current Bluetooth-enabled

wristwatches must replace their large, specialty batteries on a monthly basis. Planned

Wibree models, with comparable features, can last over a year on a single standard

button battery. Bluetooth uses a frequency hopping technology to avoid interference

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from other devices operating in the same frequency. Wibree does not use frequency

hopping.

2. Bluetooth uses fixed packet length. This increases power usage as unnecessary

transmission occurs. Wibree has a variable packet length and transmits only when

necessary.

3. Bluetooth drains your cellphone battery as it needs quite a lot of power to remain

active. Wibree aims to survive for a full year on a button sized battery.

In contrast to bluetooth, wibree goes into sleep mode when not transmitting. In sleep

mode the radio will be off and will save a lot of power. Wibree devices wake up only

when they want to transmit.

4. The major usage difference between wibree and bluetooth is the traffic characteristics.

Bluetooth is useful when transferring files, using the handsfree etc where the volume

of data that needs to to transfered is considerable.

5. Wibree is used in areas where only short bursts of data needs to be transmitted.

Remotes, sensor data etc.

8.WIBREE V/S ZIGBEE:

• Wibree is a PAN (Personal Area Networking) technology

• Zigbee is a mesh networking technology

• Wibree is more power efficient

• Zigbee has got more range

• Wibree’s data transfer rate is 1 Mbps

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• Zigbees Data transfer rate is 250 Kbps

• Wibree has got a star topology

• Zigbee has got a mesh topology

• Wibree uses bluetooth radio and can co-exist with bluetooth

• Zigbee needs its own special radio and has got no relationship with bluetooth

9.WIBREE WORK, AND ITS ADVANTAGES OVER EXISTING

TECHNOLOGIES:

Wibree is complementary to existing technologies; it does not replace them. As an

example, Nokia remains committed to Bluetooth technology and working with the Bluetooth

SIG (the Bluetooth Special Interest Group).. Thus, Nokia believes that Bluetooth, as we today

understand it, serves some use cases very well, but is not well equipped to serve others. The

same will apply to Wibree, meaning that there will be room for both technologies. As a rule of

thumb, as the communication becomes more data-intensive, the power consumption benefits

of Wibree will diminish compared to Bluetooth

10.Wibree applications:

Imagine a wireless keyboard and mouse with battery lifetimes exceeding one year

communicating with a PC without using a fragile dongle. Imagine a watch equipped with a

wireless link communicating with both a tiny sports sensor embedded within the user’s shoe

and mobile phone. Imagine a range of personal devices communicating with mobile phones or

PCs, but without the inconvenience of changing or charging batteries every week. Imagine no

longer, because Wibree will make all of these applications – and many more – a reality.

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Mobile Phone Accessories – Mobile phones equipped with Wibree technology will enable a

range of new accessories such as call control/input devices, sports and health sensors, security

and payment devices. These devices will benefit from the ultra-low power consumption of

Wibree making possible compact, coin cell battery operated devices with battery lifetimes up

to 3 years (depending on the actual application).

PC Accessories – Wibree is designed to offer wireless connectivity to high performance PC

accessories such as mice, keyboards and multimedia remote controls. The ultra-low power

consumption of Wibree extends battery lifetimes to over a year. Nordic will build on its

position as a leading provider of ultra-low power 2.4 GHz technology to encourage Wibree’s

adoption into PC accessories enabling the next generation of wireless mice and keyboards.

Watches – Imagine your watch equipped with a wireless link communicating with both a tiny

sports sensor embedded in your shoe and your mobile phone. Wibree’s ultra-low power

consumption will bring wireless connectivity to watches without compromising battery

lifetime.

Sports and health sensors – Imagine a tiny sports or health sensor embedded in your shoe

equipped with a wireless link communicating with your watch. Wibree’s ultra-low power

consumption will bring wireless connectivity to sports and health sensors without

compromising battery lifetime.

Wibree wrist watch, mobile phone and hands free :- A cool new wibree product will be

released with the launch of wibree devices. It will be a wibree enabled wrist watch, bluetooth

and wibree enabled mobile phone and bluetooth hands free.

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Wibree is best suited for my TV remote :- Wibree technology has got special features to

decrease the battery usage. The benchmark is to run a wibree device on coin sized battery for

an year without any recharge. The technology is such that the device will go in to sleep mode

when not in use to save battery. The usage matches a remote as it is not used continuously.

The handset powers up only when a button is pressed.

Wibree will have sports application

Figure 4: Wibree based products.

The technology will be made broadly available to the industry through an open and

preferably existing forum enabling wide adoption of the technology. Wibree in our press

release: “Consumers don’t like wires and they love compact, portable electronics devices that

they can carry with them everywhere without fear of running short on battery power. The

mobile phone is the perfect example. But to extend its functionality and allow it to interface

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wirelessly to a huge range of peripherals, the technical challenge is to ensure minimal power

consumption under heavy, daily usage. This is Wibree and it is what consumers have been

crying out for.

Table no.1: Effective application of wibree

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Table no.2:Ultra Low Power Bluetooth technology Use Cases

Table no.3:Zigbee vs Wibree vs Bluetooth

Characteristics ZIGBEE WIBREE BLUETOOTH

FIRST SPECIFICATION 2004 2008 1994
RANGE 10-75 mts 10mts 10mts
THROUGHPUT 20-250kbps Less than 1 Mbps Maximum 3 Mbps
POWER CONSUPTION 1 YEAR YEARS FEW DAYS
FREQUENCY 2.4 GHz 2.4 GHz 2.4 GHz
Co-EXISTANCE WITH NO YES N/A
BLUE TOOTH

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Figure 5: Low bandwidth technologies comparision consumer to machine and consumer

to middleware
11.ADVANTAGES:
Wibree is the first wireless technology to solve the following needs in a single solution.

Ultra low peak and average power consumption in both active and idle modes.

• Ultra low cost and small size for accessories and human interface devices (HID).

• Minimal cost and size addition to mobile phones and pcs.

• Global ,intuitive and secure multi-vendor interoperability.

12.DISADVANTAGES:

• Data transmission is very slow, i.e, only 1 megabit per second.

• Cannot be used in high bandwidth required applications.

13.FUTURE WITH WIBREE:

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• We can have every device connected to each other and thus have a network all around

us with wibree.

• Anything and everything can be shared and may hope that emotions can be shared in

wireless.

Conclusion:

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Wibree will also dramitacally extend the battery lifetime of existing wireless device such as

keyboards, mice and remote controls. It’s upto 10 times more energy efficient then Bluetooth.

Nokia said it expected the first commercial version of the standard to be available during the

second quarter of 2007. The firm said it expected dual Bluetooth-wibree devices such as

mobile phones to hit the market within two years.

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References:
www.ieee.org
www.ezurio.com
www.wikipedia.com
www.wibree.com

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