The basics of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Abhishek Gupta & Imran Mohammed, Cypress Semiconductor
EDN (October 14, 2016)

Bluetooth technology has revolutionized wireless communications between devices with its ubiquitous and simple characteristics. It allows devices to communicate without cables while maintaining high levels of security. Because of its low power and low cost, Bluetooth has played a pivotal role in the evolution of applications from high-speed automotive devices to complex medical devices.

The ease and the global acceptance of Bluetooth technology means any Bluetooth-enabled device can connect with other devices located in close proximity through a process known as pairing. Pairing allows devices to establish a full duplex communication by transmitting data and voice through short range, ad hoc networks known as piconets that can link up to eight devices. One device serves as the master device, while the rest of the devices within the network/piconet are slave devices. The master device acts as a hub, and slave devices communicate through the master device in order to communicate with each other. Another important characteristic of Bluetooth technology is its use of frequency hopping to reduce the impact of interference.

The full duplex capabilities of Bluetooth technology provide users with innovative features such as connecting a phone with a Bluetooth music speaker, taking calls while driving a car, connecting two laptops for file sharing, and connecting a gaming console with a Bluetooth-enabled gaming controller, to name a few use cases.

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