The era of realizing IoT using Bluetooth has arrived. Here, we will introduce new functions and devices deeply related to IoT after covering the basics of Bluetooth. Let's look at Bluetooth today, which has become a solution that meets the market needs of IoT.
Bluetooth Overview
Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology. It has become widely established as a technology for wirelessly connecting nearby digital devices, and many people may recognize it as a technology used for short-range communication, such as between earphones and smartphones, or mice and keyboards with PCs.
Bluetooth started as a technology envisioned for "one-to-one" short-range communication, but with improvements in functionality with each version, it is now possible to have "one-to-many" and even "many-to-many" long-range communication. Data transfer speed and power-saving functions have also improved dramatically, and it is particularly excellent in terms of low power consumption.
With these functional improvements, Bluetooth is now regarded as a major data transfer technology supporting IoT. As a foundational technology for a wide variety of IoT devices including lighting equipment, various sensors, and beacons, its utilization in business scenarios is expanding.
Bluetooth Low Energy（BLE）
Since Bluetooth 4.0 released in 2009, a Low Energy function has been incorporated. Although Bluetooth already had low power consumption, it achieved ultra-low power consumption by reducing it by approximately one-tenth. In contrast to "Bluetooth Classic" which refers to Bluetooth 1.0 to 3.0, it is called "Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)" and has become the mainstream of current Bluetooth.
Benefits of Bluetooth (BLE)
Bluetooth has the following main benefits:
- Low power consumption enables long-term use
- Equipped products and operational costs are inexpensive
- Many products equipped with the global standard
With these benefits combined with recent functional improvements, it can be said that IoT devices equipped with Bluetooth are being selected in various fields advancing smartification.
Latest Bluetooth Features
Bluetooth technology first realized wireless connectivity, then advanced power saving. Subsequently, in recent years, it has achieved the following functional evolution in data transfer technology, device networks, and location services.
Data Transfer Technology
In response to the expanding demand for IoT devices equipped with Bluetooth, data transfer technology has been improved in all aspects: speed, distance, and capacity. Bluetooth 5.0, which appeared in 2016, expanded functionality with communication speed doubled, communication distance quadrupled, and communication capacity increased eightfold. This has extended to a communication speed of 2Mbps and a communication distance of up to 120 meters in normal realistic environments. Furthermore, regarding distance, the advent of Bluetooth routers has made long-range communication of up to 300m possible.
Device Network
In 2017, mesh network support functionality was added to Bluetooth. "Bluetooth mesh network" enables "many-to-many" communication, making it possible to build large-scale device networks. It is a technology suitable for IoT systems that require dozens to thousands of devices to communicate with each other. Specifically, it is envisioned for building automation that automate management of air conditioning • electricity • fire prevention • security, etc., and sensor networks, and is already being utilized in lighting control in commercial facilities and occupancy detection in offices.
Location Services
In 2019, direction-finding functionality was added in Bluetooth 5.1. The direction-finding function tells you in which direction a paired Bluetooth device is located. While it was previously possible to determine proximity, the addition of direction has opened the way to utilizing Bluetooth as a solution for location services. It is currently one of the most rapidly growing fields.
This functionality has created the following use cases:
Object Tracking
Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) enable tracking of tools, workers, etc. in warehouses. The location of objects is identified using Bluetooth receivers and tags.
Indoor Navigation
Bluetooth Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS) enable navigation within complex facilities such as airports, Stations, and museums. Current location is calculated by detecting locator beacons placed throughout the facility with a smartphone app. It demonstrates its power indoors where GPS measurement is difficult and is rapidly spreading as a standard system.
Digital Key
Use your smartphone as a digital key. When approaching your home, car, office building, etc., doors and spaces are unlocked.
Item Finder
By attaching a Bluetooth smart tag to belongings such as keys or wallets, they can be located through a smartphone app when lost.
IoT Devices Equipped with Bluetooth
From among devices equipped with Bluetooth, we introduce beacons, Bluetooth sensors, and electronic shelf labels. All play a major role in realizing IoT and are technologies attracting attention today.
Beacon
A beacon is a small device that communicates via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). It continuously sends signals such as radio waves or light, and receivers such as smartphones receive these signals to perform location identification and information transmission. It can acquire accurate location information even indoors where GPS measurement is difficult, and the benefit of being able to use it long-term with button batteries is also an advantage.
Beacons are already being utilized in a wide range of fields. A system has been realized where beacons installed on roads display road traffic information on car navigation systems of passing vehicles. They are also utilized in monitoring services for children and the elderly. Various developments are expected in the future; for example, in retail, the realization of unmanned payment stores is coming into view based on customer and product location information that can be acquired with beacons.
Bluetooth (BLE) Sensors
Regarding sensors that are the key to IoT, the lineup of Bluetooth-compatible sensors is becoming more substantial. The following types are available, all with performance that can withstand business use:
- Temperature and humidity sensor
- CO2 sensor
- Human presence sensor
- Open/close sensor (detects opening/closing status of doors and windows)
- Acceleration sensor (detects when an object has moved)
- Interruption sensor (detects remaining amount of liquid or objects)
Electronic Shelf Label (ESL)
Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL: Electronic Shelf Labels) are digitized versions of the paper price tags traditionally used in stores. They use small displays of electronic paper (e-paper) that run on batteries and display product First Name and prices. Each electronic shelf label is connected to a network via Bluetooth for centralized management, and the major benefit is that prices can be changed in bulk instantly. Inventory information can also be displayed through integration with POS. It is a store DX solution attracting attention today that greatly streamlines work that required time and labor, and also helps improve product loss.
Summary
With the addition of new technologies such as mesh networks and location services, Bluetooth use cases have increased dramatically. The electronic shelf label market is also growing rapidly. It can be said that the connection with IoT has deepened along with the advancement of Bluetooth technology. As a technology supporting IoT, the role of Bluetooth is expected to become increasingly important in the future.