Low-power wireless communication can be realized through Bluetooth protocol and Bluetooth module.

The Bluetooth protocol is a standard protocol for wireless communication that enables data transmission and communication between devices within a short distance. The Bluetooth protocol focuses on simplicity, low power consumption, and cost-effectiveness, and is designed to meet a wide range of application needs. It provides reliable connectivity and efficient data transmission for various devices and scenarios.

The Bluetooth module is a hardware device integrated with the Bluetooth communication function, which can be easily embedded in various electronic devices. The Bluetooth module provides the implementation of the Bluetooth protocol and has the ability to communicate wirelessly with other devices. It usually includes a radio frequency chip, a baseband processor and related peripheral circuits, providing the device with the functions required for Bluetooth communication.

Content Express here

Origin of "Bluetooth"

The origin of Bluetooth technology can be traced back to the early 1990s, when Ericsson, a Swedish communication company, was trying to find a wireless communication technology for simple wireless connection between devices. Their goal is to create a standard that enables short-range communication with low power consumption, allowing various devices to communicate with each other and share data.

In 1994, Jim Kardach, an engineer at Ericsson, and his team began developing the new technology. Their research results were officially released in 1998 and named "Bluetooth" to commemorate the medieval Danish king Harald Blåtand (Harald Bluetooth), who unified Denmark and Norway in the 10th century, symbolizing the meaning of unity and interconnection.

Bluetooth technology was originally designed to replace traditional serial data lines, such as connecting a computer to a printer, or connecting a mobile phone to a headset. Its goal is to provide a simple, low-power, affordable wireless communication solution that enables data transfer between devices over short distances.

Bluetooth technology has evolved and improved over time, including adding higher data transfer rates, longer range, and support for different types of device connections. Today, Bluetooth has become a common standard widely used in wireless communication between various devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, audio equipment, smart home devices, etc.

Overview of Bluetooth Protocol

Introduction of Bluetooth protocol

The Bluetooth protocol is a wireless communication protocol for data transmission and communication between devices within a short distance. It uses low-power radio frequency technology and is capable of wireless communication on the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The main focus of the Bluetooth protocol is simplicity, low power consumption and cost-effectiveness to meet the needs of a wide range of applications.

Related article :

Bluetooth protocol features: Signals can be transmitted through walls and briefcases. Up to eight devices can be connected in a piconet. Since the device is omnidirectional, there is no need to aim your device. Bluetooth needs to be regulated by the government because it is possible to use the same standard

Refer article :  The evolution of bluetooth wireless communication technology

                        Wireless Technology Choice for the Smart Home: Bluetooth or WiFi?

Bluetooth protocol stack

Bluetooth protocol stack: The Bluetooth protocol stack refers to a series of software layers used to manage the communication between Bluetooth devices. The Bluetooth protocol stack usually includes the following layers:

Physical Layer: Handles the physical transmission of wireless communications, including modulation and demodulation of radio frequency signals, frequency hopping, etc.

Baseband Layer (Baseband Layer): manages data transmission and error detection, and handles the assembly and analysis of data frames.

Link Layer (Link Layer): Responsible for establishing and managing connections between Bluetooth devices, performing security operations such as authentication and encryption between devices.

L2CAP layer (Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol): Provides a logical channel between the upper-layer application and the underlying link layer, and supports data segmentation and reassembly.

RFCOMM layer (Radio Frequency Communication): Provides data transmission services similar to serial ports, allowing applications to communicate via Bluetooth.
SDP layer (Service Discovery Protocol): Used for service discovery and information exchange between devices, enabling devices to understand each other's functions and services.

Application Layer (Application Layer): includes various applications and services, such as file transfer, audio transfer, phone control, etc.　
The protocol stack is the main function of Bluetooth, which allows Bluetooth to run and surpass other applications.
Core Protocols: Includes Bluetooth radio, baseband, Link Manager Protocol (LMP), Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP), and Service Discovery Protocol (SDP). (standard)
Protocols used: including Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), Internet Protocol (IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). (taken from standard model)

Terminology Explanation：Introduction to UDP and TCP

Cable Replacement Protocol: It includes the Radio Frequency Communication (RFComm) protocol. It is an acronym for Radio Front End Components. (WAP serial interface is also provided)

Bluetooth master-slave relationship

In Bluetooth communication, a master-slave (Master-Slave) relationship is established between devices, which defines the roles and responsibilities of devices in the communication process.

Master device (Master): The master device is the controller in Bluetooth communication, which is responsible for initiating and managing the connection. The master device is usually a device with more processing power and more complex functions, such as a mobile phone, computer, or tablet. The master device plays an active role when initiating a connection, controlling the timing and parameter settings of the communication.

Slave device (Slave): The slave device is the passive side, it accepts the connection request from the master device and follows the instructions of the master device. Slave devices are usually relatively simple devices such as Bluetooth headsets, smart home devices, or sensors. The slave device passively responds to the instructions of the master device in the communication, performs corresponding operations or provides data.

In the Bluetooth communication process, a master device can connect multiple slave devices at the same time to form a so-called Bluetooth network. The master device can establish an independent connection with each slave device, and perform data transmission and interaction with them. A slave device can only establish a connection with one master device, but it can communicate with other master devices by switching the connection of the master device.

The determination of the master-slave relationship is carried out during the connection establishment phase. When the master device establishes a connection with the slave device, they will negotiate to determine their respective roles. The roles of the master device and the slave device can be switched during the connection process so that the device can flexibly change its communication role as needed.

Application of Bluetooth module

Bluetooth module is a hardware device integrated with Bluetooth communication function, which can be easily embedded in various electronic devices to realize wireless communication and connection.

Common Bluetooth module application scenarios:

Bluetooth Headphones/Speakers: A Bluetooth module is built into a headset or speaker, allowing it to connect wirelessly to a phone, computer, or other audio source device. Users can enjoy a wireless audio experience through Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

Bluetooth keyboard/mouse: The Bluetooth module is embedded in the keyboard or mouse to achieve wireless connection with computers or other devices. Users can conveniently control the device via a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, eliminating the limitations of wired connections.

Bluetooth sensor: The Bluetooth module can be integrated with various sensors, such as temperature sensor, humidity sensor, motion sensor, etc. By connecting with Bluetooth, the sensor can transmit data to mobile phones or other devices to realize real-time monitoring and data collection.

Smart home devices: Bluetooth modules are used in smart home devices, such as smart light bulbs, smart sockets, smart door locks, etc. Through Bluetooth connection, users can remotely control and manage smart home devices through mobile phones or other control devices.

Medical equipment: Bluetooth modules can be embedded in medical equipment, such as blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, heart rate monitors, etc. These devices can be connected to mobile phones or other monitoring devices via Bluetooth to transmit data to doctors or users for remote monitoring and management.

Car equipment: Bluetooth modules are widely used in car equipment, such as car audio systems, car phone systems, and vehicle diagnostic equipment. It can wirelessly connect the internal equipment of the vehicle with the mobile phone or other external equipment to realize audio transmission, call function and vehicle data monitoring.

Wireless transmission equipment: Bluetooth modules can be used for wireless transmission equipment, such as Bluetooth printers, Bluetooth scanners, Bluetooth barcode guns, etc. These devices can be connected with computers or mobile devices via Bluetooth for wireless data transmission and interaction.

About Bluetooth Low Energy

Low Energy Bluetooth (LE Bluetooth) is a variant of Bluetooth technology designed to meet the needs for low power consumption and simple connectivity. It is also known as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Bluetooth Smart.

Bluetooth Low Energy is designed to optimize traditional Bluetooth technology for longer battery life on battery-operated devices. Compared with traditional Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy has the following characteristics:

Low Power Consumption: Bluetooth Low Energy is designed to operate in a power-saving mode, allowing devices to last longer. It employs a series of optimization strategies, including fast connection establishment, low power standby and short data transfer time, to reduce energy consumption.

Simplified connection: Bluetooth low energy uses a fast connection establishment mechanism to make the connection process between devices easier and faster. It establishes a connection within milliseconds, allowing for fast boot and data transfer.

Short-range communication: The communication distance of Bluetooth low energy is usually shorter than that of traditional Bluetooth, generally within a few meters. This helps reduce power consumption and provides greater security because the communication range between devices is narrower.

Data transfer rate: The data transfer rate of Bluetooth Low Energy is relatively low, usually under 1 Mbps. This is sufficient for transferring small amounts of data, such as sensor data or simple control commands.

The application of Bluetooth Low Energy is very extensive, including but not limited to the following fields:

 Internet of Things (IoT) devices: Bluetooth Low Energy can be used to connect and control a variety of IoT devices such as smart home devices, health monitoring devices, smart wearables, and more.

Fitness and sports equipment: Bluetooth low energy is widely used in fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, motion sensors and other equipment to realize wireless data synchronization and tracking with mobile phones or computers.

Medical equipment: Bluetooth low energy consumption is used to connect medical equipment, such as blood pressure monitors, blood glucose meters, medical sensors, etc., to achieve real-time data monitoring and remote data transmission.

Smart wearable devices: Bluetooth Low Energy can be used to connect smart watches, smart glasses and other wearable devices to realize interconnection and data interaction with mobile phones.

Indoor positioning and navigation: Bluetooth low energy can be used in indoor positioning systems to provide real-time location tracking and navigation services.

Ebyte Low Energy Bluetooth Module Recommended

Ebyte is a supplier focusing on wireless communication modules. Its low-power Bluetooth modules have excellent performance and reliability in the field of wireless communication transmission. These modules feature advanced Bluetooth Low Energy technology and are designed to meet the needs of a wide range of IoT and connectivity applications.

Ebyte low-energy Bluetooth module is famous for its highly integrated design. They feature advanced RF technology and optimized power management for excellent power efficiency. This enables the module to achieve long battery life in battery-operated devices and extend the life of the device.

These Bluetooth low-energy modules also provide a rich set of interfaces and features that allow developers to easily integrate the modules into their designs. The module has a flexible software development environment and rich development tools to support fast and reliable application development. In addition, the Ebyte low-power Bluetooth module is compatible with mainstream development platforms and operating systems, providing developers with more flexibility and convenience.