Supported Features

The RTL87x3E/RTL87x3D supports Bluetooth Core Specification version 5.3, enabling customers to create versatile and competitive products across diverse fields such as automotive, industrial, home, and personal applications.

LE Host Supported Features

The key features include BIS and CIS for the emerging LE audio market, AoA and AoD technologies for direction finding applications, LE Advertising Extensions, and support for LE 1M PHY, LE 2M PHY, LE Coded PHY. Privacy-related features are also incorporated to ensure user security.

The primary supported features and their overview are detailed as shown below:

  1. Privacy

    Privacy feature reduces the ability to track a LE device over a period of time by changing the Bluetooth Device Address on a frequent basis. The frequently changed Bluetooth Device Address is called RPA, and the essential key to generate and resolve RPA is called IRK, which is exchanged during the bonding procedure.

  2. LE Data Packet Length Extension

    Previously, the largest payload of the Data Physical Channel PDU was 27 octets. This feature allows the Controller to transmit Data Physical Channel PDU with payload up to 251 octets in the connected state, which significantly improves throughput. Both Central and Peripheral roles are able to initiate the procedure.

  3. LE 2M PHY

    In the past, LE technology utilized 1Mbps as its PHY. LE 2M PHY improves a doubling of the data rate.

  4. LE Coded PHY

    LE Coded PHY, commonly referred to as LE Long Range, supports error correction coding, leading to an expanded range of communication distance.

  5. LE Advertising Extensions

    LE Advertising Extensions enhances the advertising and discovery mechanism between LE devices, allowing for more complex and flexible advertising data transmission. Some of the major updates are listed below:

    1. PHY Support: The feature allows advertising, scanning, and initiating behaviors on LE 2M PHY and LE Coded PHY.

    2. Increased Advertising Data and Scan Response Data Capacity: Provides a larger advertising data and scan response data capacity, enabling devices to transmit more information.

    3. Extended Advertising Channels: Advertising data can be transmitted not only in primary advertising channels (channel index: 37/38/39) but also in secondary advertising channels (channel index: 0~36). The reduction in interference increases the overall efficiency of data transmission.

    4. Periodic Advertising: The support for periodic advertising enables devices to send advertisements at regular intervals. This feature enhances device discoverability and facilitates synchronized transmissions.

    5. Advertising Set: Support multiple advertising configurations to be active.

  6. LE Channel Selection Algorithm #2

    Compared to channel selection algorithm #1, algorithm #2 improves the ability to avoid interference.

    Algorithm #2 not only supports data channels but also encompasses advertising channels for periodic advertising, as well as isochronous channels for BIS and CIS.

  7. AoA and AoD

    AoA and AoD features enable precise location-based services and enhanced directionality in communication such as indoor positioning, asset tracking, and other location-aware scenarios.

    AoA allows an LE device make its direction available to a peer device by transmitting direction finding enabled packets using a single antenna. The peer device estimates the angle of arrival by using different elements of the antenna array.

    AoD allows an LE device consisting of an antenna array make its angle of departure detectable by transmitting direction finding enabled packets, switching antennae during transmission. The peer device estimates the angle of departure by using a single antenna.

  8. Periodic Advertising Sync Transfer

    This feature facilitates the transmission of synchronized periodic advertising timing details from a less-constrained device to another device, such as a wearable device with limited power consumption. The less-constrained device executes the synchronization process and subsequently conveys the acquired synchronization details to another device through a LE link connection. This streamlined process results in lower power consumption and reduced bandwidth usage for the constrained device, optimizing its operational efficiency.

  9. LE Power Control and Path Loss Monitoring

    The feature enhances power management and connection reliability between devices. LE Power Control adjusts transmission power dynamically for energy efficiency, which is useful in scenarios with varying distances between devices. Path Loss Monitoring continuously measures signal strength to evaluate connection quality, enabling adaptive communication for improved reliability.

  10. LE Audio (LE Isochronous Channels)

    LE audio introduces new isochronous channels, establishing a framework for enhanced audio streaming capabilities. Both transport modes are conducive to multi-stream scenarios. BIS achieves unidirectional transmission, this mode supports one-to-many communication topologies, providing a broadcast capability. On the other hand, CIS facilitates bidirectional communication between devices, this mode supports one-to-one communication topologies.

  11. LE Channel Classification

    The feature allow a Peripheral role report its channel classification results to the Central role. These results encompass information on channels that experience lesser interference, providing the Central role with valuable insights for more informed channel map selection.

The table below shows supported Bluetooth Core Specification technology features in RTL87x3E/RTL87x3D.

Supported Bluetooth Core Specification Technology Features

Version

Features

RTL87x3E(4M)

RTL87x3E(2M)

RTL87x3D

4.0

Advertiser

Y

Y

Y

Scanner

Y

Y

Y

Initiator

Y

Y

Y

Central

Y

Y

Y

Peripheral

Y

Y

Y

4.1

Low Duty Cycle Directed Advertising

Y

Y

Y

LE L2CAP Connection Oriented Channel

Y

Y

Y

LE Scatternet

Y

Y

Y

LE Ping

Y

Y

Y

4.2

LE Data Packet Length Extension

Y

Y

Y

LE Secure Connections

Y

Y

Y

Link Layer Privacy

Y

Y

Y

5.0

LE 2M PHY

Y

Y

Y

LE Coded PHY

N

N

Y

High Duty Cycle Non-Connectable Advertising

Y

Y

Y

LE Advertising Extensions

Y

Y

Y

LE Periodic Advertising

Y

N

Y

LE Channel Selection Algorithm #2

Y

Y

Y

5.1

GATT Caching

Y

N

Y

AoA and AoD

Y

N

Y

Periodic Advertising Sync Transfer

Y

N

Y

5.2

LE Isochronous Channels

Y

N

Y

Enhanced Attribute Protocol

Y

N

Y

LE Supported Profiles

The table below shows supported LE profiles in SDK.

LE Supported Profiles

Profiles

Version

GATT Server Role

GATT Client Role

BAS: Battery Service

1.0

Y

Y

CSCS: Cycling Speed and Cadence Service

1.0

Y

N

DIS: Device Information Service

1.1

Y

Y

GLS: Glucose Service

1.0

Y

N

HIDS: Human Interface Device Service

1.0

Y

Y

HRS: Heart Rate Service

1.0

Y

N

HTS: Health Thermometer Service

1.0

Y

N

IAS: Immediate Alert Service

1.0

Y

Y

IPSP: Internet Protocol Support Profile

1.0

Y

Y

LLS: Link Loss Service

1.0.1

Y

N

LNS: Location and Navigation Service

1.0

Y

N

RSCS: Running Speed and Cadence Service

1.0

Y

N

ScPS: Scan Parameters Service

1.0

Y

N

TPS: TX Power Service

1.0

Y

N

WSS: Weight Scale Service

1.0

Y

N

LE Audio Supported Profiles

The table below shows supported LE audio profiles in RTL87x3E/RTL87x3D.

LE Audio Supported Profiles

LE Audio Profiles

Version

RTL87x3E

RTL87x3D

BAP: Basic Audio Profile

1.0.1

Y

Y

PACS: Published Audio Capabilities Service

1.0.1

Y

Y

ASCS: Audio Stream Control Service

1.0

Y

Y

BASS: Broadcast Audio Scan Service

1.0

Y

Y

CAP: Common Audio Profile

1.0

Y

Y

CAS: Common Audio Service

1.0

Y

Y

MCP: Media Control Profile

1.0

Y

Y

MCS: Media Control Service

1.0

Y

Y

CCP: Call Control Profile

1.0

Y

Y

TBS: Telephone Bearer Service

1.0

Y

Y

CSIP: Coordinated Set Identification Profile

1.0.1

Y

Y

CSIS: Coordinated Set Identification Service

1.0.1

Y

Y

VCP: Volume Control Profile

1.0

Y

Y

VCS: Volume Control Service

1.0

Y

Y

VOCS: Volume Offset Control Service

1.0

Y

Y

AICS: Audio Input Control Service

1.0

Y

Y

MICP: Microphone Control Profile

1.0

Y

Y

MICS: Microphone Control Service

1.0

Y

Y

TMAP: Telephony and Media Audio Profile

1.0

Y

Y

HAP: Hearing Access Profile

1.0

Y

Y

HAS: Hearing Access Service

1.0

Y

Y

PBP: Public Broadcast Profile

1.0

Y

Y

BR/EDR Host Supported Features

The table below shows supported Bluetooth Core Specification technology features in RTL87x3E/RTL87x3D.

BR/EDR Host Supported Bluetooth Core Specification Technology Features

Version

Features

RTL87x3E(4M)

RTL87x3E(2M)

RTL87x3D

5.2

BR/EDR Scatternet

Y

Y

Y

Enhanced Data Rate

Y

Y

Y

Secure Simple Pairing

Y

Y

Y

Security Mode 4

Y

Y

Y

Extended Inquiry Response

Y

Y

Y

Extended SCO Link

Y

Y

Y

Encryption Pause and Resume

Y

Y

Y

Flushable Packet

Y

Y

Y

Link Supervision Timeout Change

Y

Y

Y

BR/EDR Supported Profiles

The table below shows supported BR/EDR profiles in RTL87x3E/RTL87x3D.

Supported BR/EDR Profiles

Profiles

Version

RTL87x3E(4M)

RTL87x3E(2M)

RTL87x3D

A2DP

1.4

Y

Y

Y

AVRCP

1.6

Y

Y

Y

HFP

1.9

Y

Y

Y

PBAP

1.2

Y

Y

Y

SPP

1.2

Y

Y

Y

iAP

iAP2

Y

Y

Y

HID

1.1

Y

Y

Y

MAP

1.4

Y

Y

Y

OPP

1.2

Y

Y

Y

PAN

1.0

Y

Y

Y