A Foray Into Bluetooth LE

Bluetooth Low Energy, or otherwise known as Bluetooth v4.0, is the new wireless standard targeted for new generation of low-power applications. With the advent of smartphone technologies and mobile computing, the need for portable sensors and near-communication networks have become a new found interest among vendors as well as consumers.

We are at the cusp of technological convergence and advancement that will make significant impact in the way we live. Low-power wireless sensors can be literally embedded everywhere, from wearable devices to buildings, and common objects that we associate with day-to-day. These monitors can be designed to transmit useful data from their physical surroundings and environments, and the collected data can be harvested for practical applications.

One of the primary areas where we envision the general use of wireless technology is within the consumer monitoring industry. Bluetooth LE can enable telemonitoring, or remote monitoring, of consumers. The vital signals and the data can be transmitted wirelessly. These sensors can not only provide detailed data for personnel caring for the consumers, but also trigger alerts upon specific body conditions. This will allow continuous active monitoring of consumers who need intensive care and will help improve the quality of diagnose and treatment.

There are many useful resources online in order to learn more about Bluetooth LE. To list a few:

• http://www.bluetooth.com/Pages/Low-Energy.aspx
• https://www.bluetooth.org/Technical/Specifications/adopted.htm
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth_low_energy
• http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?code=784_LPBB_LOWENGYWLSS
• http://gizmodo.com/5725982/what-is-bluetooth-low-energy-ble
• http://www.eetimes.com/design/communications-design/4217866/Bluetooth-4-0–An-introduction-to-Bluetooth-Low-Energy-Part-I
• http://www.eetimes.com/design/communications-design/4218319/Bluetooth-4-0–An-introduction-to-Bluetooth-Low-Energy-Part-II

We will focus on developing useful and exciting devices with Bluetooth LE. While our products will not be limited to using Bluetooth LE, it will be interesting to see cool applications come out of this new wireless standard in the coming few years. Stay tuned!