Keyless and automatic entry systems are convenient and helpful. But only when they are both accurate and secure.
Traditional Bluetooth can estimate proximity, but standard methods are vulnerable to relay attacks or spoofing, making accurate distance measurement a challenge.
At imec at Holst Centre, we are developing Bluetooth Secure Micro-Location, a technology that improves the accuracy and security of proximity detection.
Using phase-based distance measurements, advanced signal processing, and a distance-bounding protocol, our system can verify both the identity of a device and how far away it truly is. This results in a more trustworthy and precise alternative to conventional Bluetooth ranging. Holst Centre has been contributing to Bluetooth innovation since 2005. Our patented Channel Sounding technology, now part of the Bluetooth 6.0 global standard, enables accurate location awareness.
Our focus
We also advance Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for low-power, battery-operated IoT devices, supporting applications from wearables and smart homes to industrial equipment and connected health. Through leadership in both hardware and software, and a deep understanding of market needs, Holst Centre helps ensure that future IoT systems are connected, energy-efficient, and secure.
This expertise strengthens everyday applications such as secure keyless entry, protected contactless payments , and reliable asset tracking. By advancing both the performance and the standardisation of Bluetooth technology, Holst Centre plays a key role in shaping a safer, smarter and more connected IoT ecosystem.