By offering standardisation from the radio through the device layer, Bluetooth NLC enables true multi-vendor interoperability and mass adoption of wireless lighting control.
Over a decade ago, the lighting industry began the process towards standardisation of wireless lighting control using Bluetooth technology, first by leveraging Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) at the radio layer and then adopting Bluetooth Mesh to standardise the communication layer. This latest release of new Bluetooth NLC Profile Specifications adds standardisation at the device layer, completing the full stack Bluetooth NLC standard.
With the introduction of Bluetooth NLC, lighting suppliers will, according to the SIG, benefit from lower cost and faster innovation, increased market opportunity, and additional revenue models.
“The establishment of globally available wireless standards has always been a key landmark in enabling connected device ecosystems to achieve their full promise. Wireless lighting control is no different,” said Andrew Zignani, Senior Research Director at ABI Research. “Bluetooth NLC expands the supplier opportunity by instilling buyer confidence and peace of mind, increasing the likelihood of adoption, and unleashing the lighting control market’s total potential.”
Bluetooth NLC will also bring benefits to lighting buyers, including true, multi-vendor interoperability, ease of deployment, and greater scalability.
“The impact of the Bluetooth Mesh standard on the wireless lighting control landscape has been truly transformative. Bluetooth NLC is the last missing link required to achieve global interoperability in wireless lighting control,” said Rafał Han, CEO of Silvair. “We're excited about how it will benefit the market and shape the future of the lighting industry, allowing components from different vendors to work seamlessly with each other.”
“Without a full-stack wireless lighting control standard that includes device profiles, adoption of wireless lighting control was limited and fear of vendor lock-in was high. Bluetooth NLC solves this challenge, ensuring open, standardised interoperability,” explained Edward Lees, Head of Technical Product Development - Digital Solutions and Services at Feilo Sylvania International. “Bluetooth NLC will help the wireless lighting control market breakdown barriers to adoption and realise its full potential.”
