From GSM to LTE-Advanced Pro and 5G, 3rd Edition

7 Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy

Although cables are ideal for exchanging data between stationary devices that are close together, there are significant disadvantages in a mobile environment. In practice, Bluetooth connectivity has become an alternative to cables for many close‐range data‐exchange applications and is often used alongside the cellular radio technologies that were discussed in the previous chapters.

In the first part of this chapter, an introduction to the physical properties of Bluetooth and the protocol stack is given. Afterward, relevant Bluetooth profiles and how they are used in practice in a wide range of applications and scenarios are described. The final part of this chapter then introduces Bluetooth Low Energy and its use for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

7.1 Overview and Applications

Owing to ongoing miniaturization and integration, more and more small electronic devices are used in everyday life. Bluetooth enables these devices to wirelessly communicate with each other without a direct line‐of‐sight connection. Although in the last decade there were a wide range of applications of Bluetooth, it can be observed today that its use is now mostly focused on the following applications:

• Wireless connectivity from smartphones and notebooks to remote audio devices, such as headsets, hands‐free telephony equipment, Bluetooth‐enabled loudspeakers and in‐car entertainment systems
• Exchange of files between smartphones and notebooks (e.g. pictures ...