Bluetooth technology is already embedded in current day to day lives, and it will continue to have an impact to make “Things” smarter. Instrumentation can become smarter with wireless data capture. Wireless data reporting, or capturing, offers convenience and efficiency to many different industries. Spectrum and reliability of Bluetooth would be a good differentiator.
In the Education field, Teachers can quickly monitor student’s reports/status from a mobile device instead of walking from room to room and paying attention to everyone. Consumers can enjoy music from their wireless Bluetooth headphones and track their heartbeat and progress from a wearable, Bluetooth-connected device while running. House doors can be unlocked and lights can be turned on or off by simply touching your smartphone. Even industrial machines can be monitored and controlled by a Bluetooth-connected device to determine their status or predictive maintenance needs. Bluetooth beacons would be available with different options.
Bluetooth, which operates in the 2.4 GHz band using frequency hopping spread spectrum on 79 1-megahertz channels, has kept pace with technological evolution and found a place in both consumer-facing “Internet of Things” uses – smart homes and wearables, for instance – as well as in the industrial “Internet of Things” where adaptability and reliability are requisites.
Expectations for more immediate control of network-connected IoT devices through smartphone apps translates into a growing need for simultaneous connectivity to Bluetooth mobile devices and 802.15.4 networks. For example, users will expect to interact through their smartphones directly with an IoT device in an appliance even while that same device communicates with the cloud for overall home management services or if the device temporarily loses its cloud connection.
To make this point, let’s take a look at a new Bluetooth module from Silicon Labs. The Blue Gecko BGM113 module has a 3-decibel mill watt power output optimized for applications with a 150-foot range; the company says this is a good fit for “smartphone accessories, wearable sports and fitness products, wireless locks and point-of-sale devices.”
In keeping with IoT product trends in both the industrial and consumer space, unit price and battery life are huge considerations. These items are most important factors for Industrial IOT.
Bluetooth low energy also provides much lower power consumption than Classic, which is useful in battery operated systems such as wireless sensors.”
