Bluetooth Low Energy: The Developer's Handbook

Chapter 14. Peripherals

The hand is the cutting edge of the mind.

—Jacob Bronowski

This chapter looks at the design of peripherals, tying together all the parts of this book from the perspective of a peripheral.

14.1. Background

Peripherals are the lifeblood of the Bluetooth low energy ecosystem. While a central device will typically be in a phone, television, or computer, peripherals are custom-designed products that are heavily optimized for ultra-low power consumption.

Peripherals are mostly designed around their battery, their sensors, their inputs and outputs; only then is the wireless technology considered. For peripherals to work, they must interact with central devices. They can do this in three different ways: they can broadcast data; ...