EN DE
Demo

Bluetooth® SIG Guide

1. Introduction

This guide describes the Bluetooth® SIG, Bluetooth® technologies, and regulatory requirements.

2. The Bluetooth® SIG

The Bluetooth® Special Interest Group (SIG) is the international standardization and licensing organization behind Bluetooth®.

It was founded in 1998 and today manages:

  • Bluetooth® specifications (protocols, profiles, test cases)
  • trademarks (Bluetooth® name & logo)
  • the qualification/certification process
  • the membership structure (companies worldwide)

Important: The Bluetooth® SIG does not develop chips or products itself – it defines rules, tests, and approvals.

3. What is Bluetooth® (technical)?

Bluetooth® is a licensed radio standard for short-range communication in the license-free 2.4 GHz ISM band.

Core characteristics:

  • Frequency: 2.402 – 2.480 GHz
  • Modulation: GFSK, π/4-DQPSK, 8-DPSK
  • Range: approx. 10 m to >100 m
  • Topologies: point-to-point, star, mesh
  • Focus: low energy consumption, robust coexistence

Bluetooth® is not a single protocol, but a protocol stack consisting of radio, baseband, L2CAP, GATT, ATT, profiles, etc.

4. Bluetooth® Technologies

4.1 Bluetooth® Classic (BR/EDR)

  • High data rate
  • Persistent connections

Typical applications:

  • Audio (A2DP, HFP)
  • Keyboards, mice
  • Automotive infotainment

Technology:

  • Data rate up to ~3 Mbit/s
  • Higher power consumption

4.2 Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE)

  • Extremely energy-efficient
  • Event-based communication

Typical applications:

  • IoT sensors
  • Wearables
  • Beacons

Technology:

  • Data rate: 125 kbit/s – 2 Mbit/s
  • Advertising mode without connection
  • GATT-based services & characteristics

4.3 Bluetooth® Mesh

  • Based on BLE
  • Many-to-many networks

Typical applications:

  • Building automation
  • Lighting systems
  • Smart cities

5. Bluetooth® Profiles

Bluetooth® works on a profile-based approach. A product implements profiles, not “Bluetooth® functionality” itself.

Examples:

  • GATT Profile (BLE)
  • HID (Human Interface Device)
  • A2DP (Audio Streaming)
  • HFP (Hands-Free)
  • Device Information Service

Each profile has its own test requirements.

6. Bluetooth® Rules & Compliance

Any product that uses Bluetooth® AND is marketed must be qualified with the Bluetooth® SIG.

This also applies to:

  • OEM products
  • Re-branding
  • Firmware updates with protocol changes

6.1 What does “using Bluetooth®” mean?

A product is considered a Bluetooth® product if it:

  • uses Bluetooth® radio or
  • implements Bluetooth profiles or
  • is marketed with the Bluetooth® logo

6.2 What is Bluetooth® qualification?

Qualification confirms:

  • compliance with the Bluetooth® specification
  • interoperability
  • correct implementation of profiles

Result:

  • QDID (Qualified Design)

7. Conformance Testing

When does a manufacturer need Bluetooth® conformance testing?

Conformance testing is required if:

  • a new Bluetooth® stack is developed
  • custom profiles or services are implemented
  • the host or controller implementation is modified
  • no previously qualified reference stack is used

Conformance testing is NOT required if:

  • a fully qualified module is used without modification
  • only application code runs on standardized APIs
  • no Bluetooth®-relevant changes are made

In that case, a listing/declaration is usually sufficient.

8. Test Labs & Certification

Conformance tests may only be carried out in official laboratories:

BQTF – Bluetooth® Qualified Test Facilities

  • Accredited by the Bluetooth® SIG
  • Available worldwide (Europe, Asia, USA)

Support and consulting are provided by:

BQC – Bluetooth® Qualification Consultants

  • Assist with the testing & qualification process
  • Not mandatory, but strongly recommended

9. Cost Structure

9.1 Membership in the Bluetooth® SIG

  • Adopter Member: free
  • Associate / Promoter: several thousand to >50,000 USD/year

Adopter is sufficient for product qualification.

9.2 Qualification costs (per product)

  • Declaration / Listing: 0 – 4,000 USD
  • Conformance testing: 5,000 – 30,000+ USD
  • Re-testing: depends on scope

Costs vary depending on:

  • number of profiles
  • BLE vs Classic
  • number of test failures

10. Timelines

Without conformance testing:

  • 1–3 days (declaration only)

With conformance testing:

  • Preparation: 1–3 weeks
  • Lab testing: 1–2 weeks
  • Debugging: variable

Total duration: 4–8 weeks, sometimes longer

11. Typical Qualification Process

  • Check Bluetooth® membership
  • Define architecture (own stack vs module)
  • Select profiles & specifications
  • Pre-compliance testing internally
  • Official BQTF testing (if required)
  • Submission to Bluetooth® SIG
  • Receive QDID
  • Use of logo & marketing approval

12. Common Manufacturer Mistakes

  • Using Bluetooth® logo without qualification
  • Firmware updates without re-evaluation
  • Assumption: “module = automatically qualified”
  • Incomplete profile testing

These mistakes can lead to penalties or sales bans.

13. Conclusion

  • The Bluetooth® SIG is regulator & licensor
  • Bluetooth® consists of multiple technologies & profiles
  • Compliance is mandatory
  • Conformance testing depends on the situation
  • Costs & timelines should be planned early
Share
Copy Link
×