When it comes to wireless connection, we must precisely select which type of the many available technologies most suits a specific application. Having an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each technology can help you choose the best fit for your requirement.
Bluetooth Classic
Advantages of Bluetooth Classic:
• Network type - Bluetooth Classic is designed for short range applications, and supports network types such as peer-2-peer (P2P) and star network topologies.
• Throughput - Bluetooth Classic is designed for high data throughput applications such as audio streaming, with data rates of up to 3 Mbps.
• Target application - Audio streaming through wireless headsets, speakers and sound bars.
Potential disadvantages of Bluetooth Classic:
• Power consumption - Bluetooth Classic is not optimized for low power applications.
Bluetooth Classic Parts available through DigiKey
Part Numbers
| DK Part # | Mfr Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| 296-48116-2-ND,296-48116-1-ND,296-48116-6-ND | CC2564CRVMR | |
| 296-41215-2-ND,296-41215-1-ND,296-41215-6-ND | CC2564BYFVR | |
| 296-37079-2-ND,296-37079-1-ND,296-37079-6-ND | CC2564BRVMT | |
| 296-43632-2-ND,296-43632-1-ND,296-43632-6-ND | CC2564BRVMR | |
| 296-45194-2-ND,296-45194-1-ND,296-45194-6-ND | CC2564CRVMT | |
| 296-CC2564BYFVTTR-ND,296-CC2564BYFVTCT-ND,296-CC2564BYFVTDKR-ND | CC2564BYFVT | |
| CC2564BYFVR-XI-ND | CC2564BYFVR-XI |
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Bluetooth Low Energy is distinct from the previous (often called “classic”) Bluetooth Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR) protocol, but the two protocols can both be supported by one device: the Bluetooth 4.0 specification permits devices to implement either or both of the LE and BR/EDR systems.
Bluetooth Low Energy uses the same 2.4 GHz radio frequencies as classic Bluetooth, which allows dual-mode devices to share a single radio antenna but uses a simpler modulation system.
Advantages of Bluetooth Low Energy:
• Network type - Bluetooth Low Energy is designed for short range applications supporting peer-2-peer (P2P), star and broadcaster roles. Bluetooth Low Energy can be found in applications like health monitors, personal electronics, asset trackers and many more. Bluetooth is an excellent wireless technology medium that quickly establishes a connection and exchange data between two devices like smart car access.
• Power consumption - Bluetooth Low Energy is designed for ultra-low power wireless communications and is capable of operating for years on a single coin-cell battery. The protocol is designed to be lightweight with the flexibility of tweaking various communication interval parameters, such as broadcasting at a 1-second interval.
• Throughput - The Bluetooth 4 Low Energy and newer version standard data rate is 1 Mbps, which is sufficient for most types of communication. However, Bluetooth 5 Low Energy now also supports up to 2 Mbps for transferring data more quickly.
• Wireless robustness - Bluetooth Low Energy uses the 2.4-GHz wireless band, which is shared with other wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Thread. To mitigate collisions in this crowded frequency band, Bluetooth uses frequency hopping to find an open channel before communicating.
• Security - To learn more about security in Bluetooth networks, you can read Texas Instruments’ white paper: Understanding Security Features of SimpleLink™ Bluetooth® Low Energy CC13x2 and CC26x2 Wireless MCUs
• Target applications - Wireless keyboards, heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors, smart car access and many more.
Bluetooth Low Energy is the most widely used wireless technology as it is commonly found in every smartphone or tablets.
Potential disadvantages of Bluetooth low energy:
• Range - Bluetooth is not designed for applications requiring long-range connections. Bluetooth would require a gateway bridge to connect to an IP network.
Parts with BLE technology available through DigiKey
Part Numbers
| DK Part # | Mfr Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| 497-X-NUCLEO-BNRG2A1-ND | X-NUCLEO-BNRG2A1 | |
| 1738-TEL0149-ND | TEL0149 | |
| 497-X-NUCLEO-IDB05A2-ND | X-NUCLEO-IDB05A2 | |
| 150-EV25F14A-ND | EV25F14A | |
| 1286-1195-ND | 410-359 | |
| 1471-1783-ND | MIKROE-2544 | |
| 296-44946-ND | BOOSTXL-CC2650MA | |
| 1471-1697-ND | MIKROE-2471 | |
| 1528-1431-ND | 2746 | |
| 296-46657-ND | BOOST-CC2564MODA | |
| 1471-MIKROE-4487-ND | MIKROE-4487 | |
| 1471-MIKROE-3674-ND | MIKROE-3674 | |
| 1471-MIKROE-5135-ND | MIKROE-5135 | |
| AC320032-3-ND | AC320032-3 | |
| 559-RTKYRLG1D0B00000BJ-ND | RTKYRLG1D0B00000BJ | |
| 1471-MIKROE-4120-ND | MIKROE-4120 | |
| 559-RTKYZ012A1B00000BE-ND | RTKYZ012A1B00000BE | |
| 1471-MIKROE-5829-ND | MIKROE-5829 | |
| 1471-MIKROE-4668-ND | MIKROE-4668 | |
| 1738-DFR0782-ND | DFR0782 | |
| 1471-MIKROE-4874-ND | MIKROE-4874 | |
| 1471-MIKROE-4038-ND | MIKROE-4038 | |
| 1832-1026-ND | ASD2116-R | |
| 1471-1452-ND | MIKROE-1715 | |
| 1613-1371-ND | MOTG-BLUETOOTH |
Bluetooth Mesh
Advantages of Bluetooth Mesh:
• Network type - Built upon existing Bluetooth Low Energy technology, Bluetooth mesh extends the range of wireless communication in a mesh network over multiple hops, helping extend range of the wireless connectivity. Supports small to large networks up to 100 nodes with industrial level messaging performance while providing a self-healing, multi-path network with no single point of failure. One device connects and communicates with another device, establishing a 1:1 relationship. Inside the network a device can have 1:1 relationship with multiple devices creating the hub mesh network.
• Power consumption - Just like Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth Mesh is designed for ultra-low power wireless communication and is capable of operating for years on a single-coin-cell battery. The device can remain in standby longer as intervals between radio-on times can be longer.
• Example application - Lighting, HVAC, wireless sensor networks, data collection and many more.
Potential disadvantages of Bluetooth Mesh:
• Throughput - Bluetooth Mesh is not designed for high data throughput. It’s a low latency application. For any high data throughput, it’s recommended to use Bluetooth Low Energy.
Parts supporting Bluetooth Mesh available through DigiKey
Part Numbers:
| DK Part # | Mfr Part # | |
|---|---|---|
| DK-CSR1010-10184-1B-ND | DK-CSR1010-10184-1B | |
| 336-5871-ND | SLWSTK6006A | |
| DB-CSR1010-10137-1A-ND | DB-CSR1010-10137-1A | |
| DB-CSR1011-10139-1A-ND | DB-CSR1011-10139-1A | |
| DK-CSR1011-10147-1A-ND | DK-CSR1011-10147-1A | |
| 488-STR-RSL10-MESH-KIT-GEVK-ND | STR-RSL10-MESH-KIT-GEVK | |
| DK-CSR1010-10232-1A-ND | DK-CSR1010-10232-1A | |
| DK-CSR1011-10138-1A-ND | DK-CSR1011-10138-1A | |
| 602-XKRR-Z8S-WZM-ND | XKRR-Z8S-WZM | |
| 336-4285-ND | SLWRB4306C | |
| DK-CSR1000-10086-1A-ND | DK-CSR1000-10086-1A | |
| B1010SP0-EVB-1-ND | B1010SP0-EVB-1 | |
| B1010SP0-EVB-2-ND | B1010SP0-EVB-2 | |
| DK-CSR1010-10136-1A-ND | DK-CSR1010-10136-1A | |
| DK-CSR1011-10148-1A-ND | DK-CSR1011-10148-1A |