Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1520713
The Keys to Bluetooth Low Energy Success Bluetooth ® Low Energy is a critical technology in the Internet of Things (IoT) spectrum and has important attributes that have contributed to its success. These include properties such as low power consumption, suitable range and data rate, native security features, an acceptably compact memory footprint, affordability, and support built-in to every smartphone. Initially conceived as a standardized, wireless communication protocol for short-range point-to-point data exchange between devices, early Bluetooth generations presented a wireless alternative to RS-232 data cables. The first official Bluetooth specification (version 1.0), released in 1999, enabled mobile users to cut the cables to accessories such as a telephone headset and enjoy hands- free experiences. Other contemporary use cases included file sharing between devices and wirelessly connecting computer peripherals, including keyboard and mouse. The addition of the Bluetooth Low Energy radio option, included in the Bluetooth 4.0 specification that arrived in 2010, changed all that. Not only designed for very low power, as the name suggests, Bluetooth Low Energy also supports additional communication topologies, making the technology suitable for connecting large-scale device networks and moving from wired to wireless networks. With these underlying features, Bluetooth Low Energy is well-adapted to diverse IoT applications, particularly smart- home devices and smart industrial sensors deployed in factories or remote locations. Its low power consumption meets the needs of small, battery-operated devices, making it a natural choice for wearables such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and personal health devices (PHDs). The Bluetooth SIG continues to extend Bluetooth Low Energy with new features such as the generic health sensor (GHS) profile, which standardizes the way sensor data is uploaded from PHDs into electronic health record (EHR) systems. This facilitates interoperability between PHDs, personal health gateways, and EHR systems, extending the scope for remote patient monitoring by lowering system costs and stimulating the development of a wider range of suitable PHDs. Bluetooth 5.0, introduced in 2016, brought further enhancements, including improved coexistence with other wireless technologies, increased data transfer speeds, and extended range. Bluetooth Long Range, which uses a coded physical layer (PHY), permits reliable communication over long distances and at low power for specific use cases. Bluetooth 5.1 introduced direction-finding features that enable precise location capabilities. There is also Bluetooth LE Audio, which intends to replace the Bluetooth Classic introduced with Bluetooth 5.2. This permits efficient audio streaming to enhance applications like hearing aids and wireless audio devices in the IoT ecosystem. The latest specifications, Bluetooth 5.3 and 5.4, continue the evolution, adding more technologies and use cases. Making the Right Choices Bluetooth Low Energy is an excellent choice for connecting small IoT devices for a wide variety of medical, industrial, and consumer applications, including wearables like smartwatches and smart-home devices that require reliable STMicroelectronics 2024 15 Connectivity with Bluetooth Low Energy From Industrial Applications to Consumer and Personal Electronics Devices Kamel Kholti, Product Marketing Manager STM32 Wireless MCU, STMicroelectronics