2.4 GHzBluetooth Low Energy
Years on a battery, a link to the phone.
Bluetooth Low Energy is the radio every phone already carries. It sends small packets, sleeps in between and runs for years on one battery - which makes it the first choice for sensors, wearables and devices configured from an app.
In short
How Bluetooth LE works
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) runs at 2.4 GHz and is a separate Bluetooth mode built for low power. The device wakes for milliseconds, sends a packet and goes back to sleep - so a sensor can run for years on a coin cell.
BLE has two main modes. In advertising, the device announces data to everyone nearby without a connection - this is how beacons work. In a connection, a phone or a gateway connects to the device and exchanges data through services and characteristics (GATT).
The rate is 1 Mbit/s, and since Bluetooth 5 also 2 Mbit/s; the Coded PHY trades speed for range. Indoors the range is usually 10 to 100 m - depending on the antenna, the power and the walls.
When
When BLE is the right choice
Choose BLE when
- The device runs on a battery for months or years
- People configure it from their phone
- The data is small - readings, events, commands
- You need beacons for indoor location
It's not for you if
- The range is beyond one building - see LoRaWAN
- You need video or a large stream - see Wi-Fi
- The device must be online with no phone or gateway
| Technology | Range | Power | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth LE | 10-100 m | Battery for years | Yes, directly |
| Wi-Fi | 30-50 m indoors | Usually mains | Over the network |
| Thread / Zigbee | 10-100 m per hop | Battery for years | Through a hub |
| NFC | up to ~4 cm | Tags need no battery | Yes, with a tap |
What we build
Devices with Bluetooth LE
Examples of devices we design - not a client list.
01
Battery sensors
Temperature, humidity, door, vibration - with years of battery life and a power budget worked out before the first board.
02
Pairing with an app
A device configured and controlled from the phone. Our software partner CulSoft builds the app; we build the device and the protocol.
03
Beacons
Broadcasting devices for indoor location, check-ins or nearby notifications.
04
Gateways to the network
They collect data from nearby BLE sensors and pass it on over Wi-Fi or a cable.
Parts
Chips and modules
A certified radio module saves time and money in certification; your own antenna saves space and unit cost. The choice depends on the quantities.
- ESP32-C3 / ESP32-S3
- BLE 5 and Wi-Fi in one chip
- Nordic nRF52
- The lowest power for sensors
- Certified modules
- Faster radio certification
Questions about Bluetooth LE
How long does the battery last?
It depends on how often the device advertises and measures. A sensor sending a reading every minute can run for years on a coin cell; we calculate it for your case before the first board.
Is an app needed?
For configuration and control, usually yes. Our software partner CulSoft builds the app, and we design the protocol so both sides understand each other.
Can BLE reach the cloud?
Not directly. It needs a go-between - a phone or a gateway that forwards the data over Wi-Fi or a mobile network.
How is it different from classic Bluetooth?
Classic Bluetooth is for continuous streams, such as audio. BLE is for small packets and low power. Many chips support both.