What Is Bluetooth Core v6.2 “SCI”?

— Delivering Smoother and More Secure Wireless Experiences with v6.2

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that supports a wide range of everyday applications—not only smartphones and earbuds, but also PC peripherals, home appliances, and even industrial equipment. Now, Bluetooth Core v6.2 has been introduced, enabling faster and more refined communications. At the heart of this update is a new feature called SCI (Shorter Connection Intervals), which has the potential to fundamentally transform the wireless user experience. SCI represents a major step forward in addressing the latency challenges traditionally associated with Bluetooth® Low Energy, opening the door to significantly enhanced responsiveness and performance.

What Is SCI (Shorter Connection Intervals)?

Bluetooth® Low Energy devices communicate with each other at fixed time intervals, known as the connection interval. Until now, the minimum connection interval specified by the Bluetooth LE standard was 7.5 milliseconds. With Bluetooth Core v6.2, this minimum interval has been dramatically reduced to 0.375 milliseconds (375 microseconds)—an improvement of more than 20 times. Please note that this value represents the capability defined by the specification. Actual availability of the shortest SCI depends on chipset and firmware support, so verification is required when selecting devices.
By significantly increasing the frequency of data exchanges between devices, SCI enables an unprecedented level of ultra-low latency, clearly distinguishing Bluetooth Core v6.2 from previous generations. For example, devices where response speed is critical—such as gaming mice, keyboards, and VR controllers—can achieve near-wired responsiveness. High-frequency sensor devices also benefit from the ability to capture fine-grained state changes in real time.

Key Benefits of SCI

Ultra-fast response times
Latency is greatly reduced for devices such as mice, keyboards, and game controllers, delivering responsiveness comparable to wired connections.

Improved comfort in VR/AR applications
More precise tracking of head and hand movements reduces perceived lag and helps alleviate VR motion sickness.

Higher-resolution sensor data
Continuous data such as heart rate, motion, and environmental measurements can be captured more smoothly and at higher resolution.

Advantages for industrial equipment
Enhanced responsiveness contributes to improved safety and operational accuracy in robotics and control systems.

Why Does SCI Improve Response Times?

Bluetooth® LE communication can be compared to a shuttle bus running on a fixed schedule. Previously, the bus arrived once every 7.5 milliseconds. With SCI, it arrives once every 0.375 milliseconds—a dramatic increase in frequency. By increasing the number of communication opportunities, data can be exchanged more quickly and in finer increments.
As a result, changes in operation, motion, or measurements are reflected almost instantaneously, delivering a noticeably faster, more accurate, and smoother user experience.

Bluetooth Core v6.2: More Than Just SCI

Bluetooth Core v6.2 includes several enhancements beyond SCI, all designed to improve communication quality and security.

Enhanced security
Resistance has been strengthened against sophisticated wireless attacks, particularly those exploiting amplitude information. This is especially beneficial in applications requiring high security, such as automotive smart keys and positioning systems.

Seamless USB Integration (supporting the evolution of LE Audio)
Specifications have been enhanced to make Bluetooth® LE Audio and low-latency streaming easier to handle over USB, enabling smoother integration with PCs and in-vehicle systems.

More efficient wireless testing
Improvements allow easier over-the-air (OTA) testing during development and validation, increasing development efficiency. While developer-focused, this directly contributes to higher product quality for end users.

Expanding the Potential of Bluetooth® LE with SCI

With the introduction of SCI, Bluetooth® Low Energy overcomes one of its traditional limitations—real-time responsiveness. Applications ranging from gaming and VR to industrial systems, medical devices, and next-generation smart appliances can now fully leverage Bluetooth LE in latency-sensitive environments.
Combined with enhanced security, improved USB integration, and developer support, Bluetooth Core v6.2 is rapidly becoming a high-speed, secure, and scalable wireless communication foundation for next-generation devices.

At KAGA FEI, SCI feasibility study and technical verification can be conducted using our wireless modules "EC4L15BA1" and "ES4L15BA1". Please contact us for more detailed information.

Summary

SCI in Bluetooth Core v6.2 delivers more than 20 times faster connection interval, redefining expectations for Bluetooth® LE latency. In applications where responsiveness is critical, this technology will make “Low-latency Bluetooth LE” the new standard. Alongside advancements in security, USB integration, and development efficiency, Bluetooth continues to evolve into a more reliable and versatile wireless technology.

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