UL, a leading global safety science company, has announced that UL Verification Services, Inc. is the first Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility (BQTF) in the world to be recognized by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) under the new qualification process. UL helps manufacturers improve user experiences and minimize their return rates by testing the market readiness of their Bluetooth products.
Bluetooth is a global wireless standard for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Nearly 4 billion Bluetooth devices are expected to ship in 2018 across consumer, commercial, and industrial markets. From pairing a mobile phone to a car's infotainment system to connecting headphones to a smart television, consumers want seamless interoperability between their Bluetooth devices.
The UL laboratory in Fremont, California is equipped with Bluetooth SIG validated test equipment and a team of knowledgeable technical personnel to conduct Bluetooth tests. This ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory demonstrates technical competency in its testing capability.
Beyond Bluetooth testing, the full-service Fremont campus offers a comprehensive range of EMC and wireless testing services that can be customized to the client's test requirements. UL's Fremont facility features one of the largest EMC test chambers in North America and a unique High-Definition (HD) audio Verification laboratory.
Interoperability is an important aspect of IoT testing. At the UL Living Lab, a two-story, 2,500-square-foot furnished home that is part of the UL's Fremont campus, engineers simulate a real-world environment where hundreds of IoT devices "talk" to each other. Manufacturers can test devices for interoperability with leading IoT protocols as well as smart home hubs.
Legacy Bluetooth Qualification Test Facilities and Bluetooth Recognized Test Facilities can only provide Bluetooth-related testing if they qualify under the new program by December 2018. UL is in the process of qualifying its other Bluetooth-testing facilities to meet the deadline.
