Toshiba Mesh Solutions Enable Increased Range and Greater Reliability for Bluetooth Communication

SAN JOSE, Calif., July 18, 2017 — (PRNewswire) —   Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. ( TAEC), a committed technology leader, today announced that its lineup of Bluetooth^® Low Energy products now offer support for the Bluetooth Mesh standard. Ratified and launched today by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the combination of Bluetooth Mesh and TAEC's application software enable Toshiba Bluetooth Low Energy products to simultaneously increase communication range, reliability and obstacle penetration capability while also increasing battery life^[1]. By combining a non-proprietary mesh solution with Toshiba Bluetooth communication system solutions capable of link budgets exceeding 100 decibels (dB) with external PA and LNA, Toshiba enables the world's leading communication technology to provide more reliable communication in consumer products and extend new support to rapidly growing segments such as factory automation and building management.

Support for the new Bluetooth Mesh standard enables Toshiba Bluetooth Low Energy products to privately and securely traverse a mesh network rather than requiring a point-to-point connection between devices. This increases the range and reliability of Bluetooth Low Energy communication without increasing power requirements. Previously, increasing the effective Bluetooth Low Energy communication range or sending a signal through many walls required higher power transmissions that would have a negative impact on battery life. These high-powered transmissions were typically the primary technique used to address issues such as radio interference in a factory environment or the transmission of signals through thick concrete walls. This approach had severe limitations, and has proven to be ineffective for power-constrained battery operated devices as well as in unfriendly RF environments. By creating a robust mesh network, Toshiba's Bluetooth Low Energy products can now securely and privately relay messages, allowing devices to communicate in places where they previously were unable to.

"As a Bluetooth SIG founder and current board member, Toshiba is excited to be among the first to support the organization's push to increase the effective range and robustness of Bluetooth through the introduction of a highly reliable mesh network," said Deepak Prakash, senior director at Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. "This standards-based approach means that new untapped markets, such as industrial and commercial, can now leverage ever-present Bluetooth cell phones or tablets to easily control and monitor their systems."

In a related effort to increase communication range and signal strength for Bluetooth, Toshiba has introduced new Bluetooth Low Energy system solutions capable of achieving a link budget of over 100dB using an external PA and LNA. Toshiba has demonstrated these system solutions providing well over 300m open-air range at low-power transmit and receive power levels. When combined with support for Bluetooth Mesh, Toshiba's Bluetooth products offer a comprehensive solution for extended-range Bluetooth 4.2.

For more information on Toshiba's Bluetooth products, contact a TAEC representative or visit https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/product/wireless-communication/bluetooth.html

Notes
[1] When compared to non-mesh products

About Toshiba Corp. and Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)

Through proven commitment, lasting relationships and advanced, reliable electronic components, Toshiba enables its customers to create market-leading designs. Toshiba is the heartbeat within product breakthroughs from OEMs, ODMs, CMs, VARs, distributors and fabless chip companies worldwide. A committed electronic components leader, Toshiba designs and manufactures high-quality flash memory-based storage solutions, solid state drives (SSDs), hard disk drives (HDDs), discrete devices, custom SoCs/ASICs, imaging products, microcontrollers, wireless components, mobile peripheral devices, and advanced materials that make possible today's leading smartphones, tablets, cameras, medical devices, automotive electronics, industrial applications, enterprise solutions and more.

Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, Japan's largest semiconductor, solid state drive and hard disk drive manufacturer and the world's seventh largest semiconductor manufacturer (Gartner, 2015 Worldwide Semiconductor Revenue, January, 2016). Founded in Tokyo in 1875, Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 550 consolidated companies employing over 188,000 people worldwide. Visit Toshiba's web site at http://toshiba.semicon-storage.com.

The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Toshiba is under license.

© 2017 Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. All rights reserved. Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications.

Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications.         

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SOURCE Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc.

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Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. Web: http://www.toshiba.com/taec/