The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the availability of its Transport Discovery Service (TDS), which provides the wireless industry with a common framework for devices to discover and connect – no matter what wireless technologies they are using. TDS solves a critical issue for the Internet of Things (IoT) by making it possible for devices to remain available while consuming minimal power. Using the low energy feature of Bluetooth, TDS enables devices to discover one another and the technologies and capabilities they support, all while keeping other power-hungry or high-bandwidth technologies dormant until needed.
TDS will be an important catalyst in the growth of the IoT. Bluetooth is the most widely used wireless technology for the IoT and TDS will be the common language products use to discover each other and connect. TDS will provide users a far better experience with their IoT devices. Power-hungry technologies can stay off until needed, yet remain completely discoverable and connectable. Users will experience better battery life and enjoy a consistent experience regardless of the wireless technology their devices use.
Standards organizations will be able to define TDS profiles identifying their technologies, facilitating their discovery and connection. TDS makes it easy for a variety of organizations and technologies to define how Bluetooth discovery will work for them. The service is customizable, allowing it to be optimized for specific uses.
A key element of the Special Interest Group's mission is to provide frameworks that simplify and integrate the many technologies that will be part of the IoT. TDS will open the door to the IoT, spurring industry innovation by removing barriers and eliminating redundancy.
