897 Bluetooth Technology Overview
Comprehensive Guide to Bluetooth and BLE for IoT
bluetooth, ble, bluetooth low energy, wireless, iot, piconet, gatt, mesh
897.1 Overview
Bluetooth has evolved from a simple cable replacement technology to one of the most ubiquitous wireless standards for IoT. Present in billions of devices worldwide, Bluetooth enables short-range communication between smartphones, sensors, wearables, and smart home devices.
This chapter series provides comprehensive coverage of Bluetooth technology for IoT applications, from fundamental concepts to advanced mesh networking and security.
897.2 Chapter Series
897.2.1 1. Bluetooth Fundamentals and Evolution
Core concepts and technology comparison:
- Bluetooth Classic vs BLE differences
- Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
- Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH)
- Version evolution from 1.0 to 5.4
- Technology selection decision tree
897.2.2 2. Bluetooth Network Architecture
Network topologies and power management:
- Piconet structure and 7-device limitation
- Master-slave communication model
- Power classes (Class 1, 2, 3) and range
- Scatternet topology for larger networks
- BLE connection states and parameters
897.2.3 3. BLE Protocol Stack and GATT
Protocol architecture and data exchange:
- BLE protocol stack layers (PHY to Application)
- Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) client-server model
- Services, Characteristics, and Descriptors
- Standard Bluetooth profiles (HID, Heart Rate, etc.)
- iBeacon and Eddystone beacon formats
897.2.4 4. Bluetooth Implementation and Labs
Hands-on development with ESP32:
- BLE Scanner implementation
- GATT Server (Temperature Sensor)
- iBeacon transmitter
- Indoor positioning with trilateration
- Common development mistakes
897.2.5 5. Bluetooth Mesh and Advanced Topics
Large-scale networks and security:
- BLE Mesh architecture and node types
- TTL management and capacity planning
- Pairing methods and security levels
- LE Secure Connections (BLE 4.2+)
- Troubleshooting guide
897.2.6 6. Bluetooth Assessment and Exercises
Comprehensive knowledge validation:
- Quick review quizzes
- Scenario-based questions
- Technical deep-dive problems
- Calculation exercises
- Practice implementation exercises
897.3 Key Concepts Summary
| Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Classic Bluetooth | Connection-oriented for audio/data streaming |
| BLE | Ultra-low power for sensors and IoT |
| Piconet | 1 master + up to 7 active slaves |
| GATT | Service/characteristic model for data exchange |
| Pairing/Bonding | Security authentication and key storage |
| BLE Mesh | Many-to-many communication (32K+ nodes) |
897.4 Quick Reference
When to use Classic Bluetooth: - Continuous audio streaming (headphones, speakers) - High-throughput file transfer - Legacy device compatibility
When to use BLE: - Battery-powered sensors - Beacon/proximity applications - Smartphone-connected IoT devices - Low-latency periodic data
When to use BLE Mesh: - Building automation (lighting, HVAC) - Large-scale sensor networks - Self-healing network requirements
897.6 Whatβs Next
Start with Bluetooth Fundamentals and Evolution to learn the core concepts, or jump directly to the chapter most relevant to your needs.