Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a wireless communication technology that has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in the realm of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. BLE is designed to consume very little power, making it ideal for use in devices that run on battery power or need to operate for extended periods without being recharged. In this article, we will explore what BLE is and how it works.

What is BLE?

BLE technology is a variant of the standard Bluetooth technology that is commonly used in smartphones and other devices to establish wireless connections. However, while Bluetooth is designed for high-speed data transfers over relatively short distances, BLE is optimized for low-power consumption and operates over longer distances.

BLE was first introduced by Bluetooth SIG in 2010. Since then, it has become an industry standard and is widely used in a variety of IoT devices such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, medical devices, and home automation devices.

How does BLE work?

BLE devices operate by establishing a wireless connection between two or more devices. This process is referred to as “pairing”. Once two devices are paired, they can exchange information back and forth.

BLE devices typically operate in one of two modes: central and peripheral. The central device acts as a receiver and is responsible for initiating and maintaining the connection, while the peripheral device acts as a transmitter and simply sends data to the central device.

One of the key features of BLE is its ability to operate in a “low duty cycle” mode. This means that BLE devices can remain in a low-power state most of the time, only waking up briefly to establish a connection or send data. This mode of operation allows BLE devices to operate for extended periods without needing to be recharged.

Another feature of BLE is its use of “advertising packets” to broadcast data. Essentially, BLE devices constantly send out small packets of data that contain information such as the device’s name, unique identifier, and other data. Other devices in the vicinity can “listen in” on these packets and establish a connection if they are interested.