Nuremberg, Germany — Metirionic GmbH, a leader in wireless ranging technologies, has made a landmark announcement at Embedded World 2026: the first public demonstration of high-accuracy distance and angle estimation using Bluetooth® Channel Sounding. This breakthrough enables developers to create spatial-aware applications with sub-meter precision—transforming everything from smart building controls to industrial security systems.

The technology, powered by Metirionic’s Advanced Ranging Stack (MARS), leverages Bluetooth 6.x’s Channel Sounding capabilities to measure the Channel Impulse Response (CIR), which characterizes how radio signals propagate through complex indoor environments. By isolating the direct signal path and suppressing multipath interference, MARS delivers simultaneous distance and bearing data from a single Bluetooth procedure—a first in the industry.

Why it matters: Traditional Bluetooth proximity detection only measures distance, often with limited accuracy. Metirionic’s solution adds angle estimation, enabling applications to determine not just how far a user is, but also which direction they’re approaching from. This is critical for high-security applications where spatial context matters—such as knowing whether a user is on the correct side of a door before granting access.

How Bluetooth Channel Sounding Enables Spatial Awareness

At the heart of Metirionic’s solution is the ability to process Phase and Channel Transfer (PCT) measurements—the raw I/Q (in-phase/quadrature) data from Bluetooth Channel Sounding. These measurements reveal how radio waves travel through space, including reflections off walls and other surfaces. MARS uses advanced signal processing to:

• Characterize multipath: Identify direct vs. Reflected signal paths to suppress errors
• Estimate angle of arrival (AoA): Determine direction using a quad-antenna array
• Calculate precise distance: Measure time-of-flight with centimeter-level accuracy

Attila Romer, Managing Director at Metirionic, emphasized the leap from raw data to actionable intelligence:

“Bluetooth Channel Sounding is a transformative capability, though the leap from raw chipset output to a reliable commercial product demands advanced signal processing. MARS serves as the essential glue that translates complex real-world RF environments into performance that delivers across a variety of partner platforms.”

Live Demonstrations at Embedded World 2026

From Lab to Market: Metirionic’s Ecosystem Approach

Metirionic is accelerating adoption through a three-pronged strategy:

1. Advanced algorithms (MARS): Core positioning engine for distance + angle estimation
2. Evaluation software: Tools for developers to test and validate Channel Sounding applications
3. Engineering services: Expert support for hardware partners to integrate MARS into products

The company has partnered with leading industry players to ensure broad compatibility:

• Nordic Semiconductor: Ultra-low-power Bluetooth LE solutions
• Synaptics: Veros™ WiFi/BT combo chipsets
• Ezurio: Dual-antenna development kits (2x performance boost)
• Ellisys: Protocol analysis for lab validation
• onceLabs: Embedded/mobile software support

Ezurio’s nRF54L15 dual-antenna development kits are now commercially available, offering a rapid evaluation path for spatial diversity applications. These kits provide a 2x performance increase over single-antenna designs and are demonstrated at Embedded World (Hall 4, Stand 4-475).

Ellisys Partnership for Lab Validation

Metirionic is collaborating with Ellisys to demonstrate how the Bluetooth Vanguard analysis system captures raw PCT (I/Q) data, which is then transformed by the Metirionic Evaluation Application into precise positioning information. This workflow is designed for lab-based development and validation of Channel Sounding applications.

What’s Next for Bluetooth Spatial Awareness?

Metirionic’s technology is poised to redefine applications where spatial context is critical:

• Smart buildings: Context-aware access control (e.g., unlocking doors only when users are outside)
• Industrial IoT: Asset tracking with sub-meter precision in warehouses
• Consumer electronics: Gesture recognition for wearables and AR/VR devices
• Healthcare: Patient monitoring with spatial awareness in hospitals

With Bluetooth 6.x’s Channel Sounding now standardized, Metirionic is helping developers transition from proximity detection to full spatial awareness. The company’s MARS stack is designed to work across a range of hardware platforms, ensuring broad industry adoption.

Where to Learn More

Interested developers and companies can:

• Visit Metirionic at Embedded World 2026 (Hall 4, Stand 4-580)
• Explore evaluation tools and documentation on Metirionic’s website
• Contact the team at [email protected] to schedule a meeting

As wireless technologies continue to evolve, Metirionic’s breakthrough in Bluetooth Channel Sounding marks a pivotal shift from simple proximity detection to true spatial intelligence. With applications spanning security, automation, and beyond, this innovation could redefine how we interact with smart environments in the years ahead.

What do you think? Could Bluetooth Channel Sounding become the standard for spatial-aware applications? Share your thoughts in the comments below.