I am trying to identify which android phones support Bluetooth Low Energy and I am a bit confused on whether or not a device with BTv4.0+ is BLE compatible.
To be more precise, I am looking at the device Samsung Galaxy J5. According to http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_j5-7184.php, the bluetooth version is 4.1 but it doesn't mention anything about BLE.
According to the bluetooth specification:
"Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) (also called Bluetooth Smart or Version 4.0+ of the Bluetooth specification) is the power- and application-friendly version of Bluetooth that was built for the Internet of Things (IoT).". According to this I would presume that 4.0+ is BLE.
However if you see the specs of Samsung Galaxy S6 (http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s6-6849.php) it mentions that it supports both BTv4.1 and BLE. It therefore distinguishes the two BT specifications.
Any information would be very helpful
Edit
Additional reference information for interested parties:
from bluetooth.org: Two flavors of Bluetooth The two most prevalent implementations of the specification are Bluetooth Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR), which was adopted as version 2.0/2.1, and Bluetooth with low energy (LE), which was adopted as version 4.0/4.1/4.2. Each implementation has different use cases and each implementation uses a different chipset to meet essential hardware requirements. Dual-mode chipsets are also available for applications that include both use cases. - See more at: https://www.bluetooth.com/specifications/bluetooth-core-specification#sthash.7X7IrtWy.dpuf
Instead of relying on gsmarena with unreliable information, you can refer to Bluetooth SIG's official information.
Based on this Bluetooth SIG's announcement and this one, BLE is a core specification of Bluetooth 4.0. Bluetooth 4.1 and 4.2 also adopt this core specification.
However, all this still depends on whether the manufacturers implement the firmware. To keep track of all this, Bluetooth SIG maintains a list of devices currently supporting any profile (for example GATT).
This crossed my mind myself as I saw it as a pointless advancement until I saw the low energy bLE (bluetooth low energy) side of it. In my pastime I tinker with various electronics and with various BLE 4.x modules and their pro's and cons are HUGE.
All in all, BLE is better as Bluetooth pretty much is battery drain on the most robust of phones.
I found a nice little writeup (pretty simple yet comprehensive) here: http://www.argenox.com/bluetooth-low-energy-ble-v4-0-development/library/a-guide-to-selecting-a-bluetooth-chipset/
Do cut my answer short, as the bag you linked shows it as being "NFC" compatible, then yet, it's BLE 4.x. (That's Near Field Communication i.e. similar to your your contactless bank card). The v4.1, A2DP which you mention is how one "audio device talks to another" via bluetooth. (dvanced Audio Distribution Profile).
If you're really bored, there's a long list of other profiles (other than A2D):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bluetooth_profiles
Hope this helps!
Happy bluetoothing!
Related
I can't find a proper answer on the Internet.
The Bluetooth Basic Rate / Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR) appeared with the 2.0 Bluetooth Core Specification to improve data rate transfers. The Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) appeared with the 4.0 Bluetooth Core Specification to improve consumption in the IoT field. Yet, to make those two modes work together (BLE & BR/EDR) you had to use a "Smart Ready" module (or dual-mode specific module).
Today, we have the Bluetooth 5. I don't quite understand if, when I browse Bluetooth 5 SoC on the market, the BR/EDR is implemented natively. For the BLE mode, it is. From a general FAQ :
Is the low energy feature of Bluetooth a part of Bluetooth 5.0?
Yes, Bluetooth with low energy functionality, introduced in Bluetooth 4.0, is a feature within Bluetooth Core Specification version 5.0. In fact, the new features and benefits of Bluetooth 5.0 are designed specifically for Bluetooth with low energy functionality.
But for the BR/EDR mode, the Bluetooth 5 Core Specification states (p323, Vol : 2 Core System Package [BR/EDR Controller Volume]) :
Two modulation modes are defined. A mandatory mode, called Basic Rate, uses a shaped [...]. An optional mode, called Enhanced Data Rate, uses PSK modulation [...].
So, from the Core Specification, the EDR mode is optional. Yet, I can't find any SoC or module (BT5 compliant) that has this EDR mode, like it doesn't exist anymore but everyone exhibit high data transfers (more than EDR used to be with previous version).
So, is the EDR implemented natively in BT5 (as the BLE is) even if the Core Specification states it as optional ?
Where am I wrong ?
Thanks !
"Most" things in the Bluetooth Core specification are optional. You can have a BT5-compliant Bluetooth Classic chip that doesn't have any LE functionality and you can have a BT5-compliant BLE chip that doesn't have any Bluetooth classic features.
To check whether a particular Bluetooth chip supports a specific feature, just look it up at https://launchstudio.bluetooth.com/Listings/Search.
As mentioned above, lots of things Bluetooth are optional, and the nomenclature is confusing and changeable.
Bluetooth Smart Ready describes modules that can do both Smart (ie LE) as well as classic. If you are looking for a Bluetooth Smart Ready module, we've successfully used the Silicon Labs (acquired Bluegiga) BT121 module in a couple of products where we needed SPP with high speed and range (BR/EDR).
Hope that helps!
Best Regards, Dave
As far as I read about the dev boards, every SoC is capable to use Bluetooth.
I didn't tested it yet, but can I use Android Things with a Bluetooth connection? My question is, how can I enable Bluetooth without an input device? If I want to enable Bluetooth on my phone (with code), I had to confirm it, but this can't be possible on Android Things.
Update: Since the release of Android Things developer preview 3, Bluetooth and BLE are now available.
Old Answer
No. You can not use Bluetooth with the current version of AndroidThings (developer preview 1).
It is said in the known issues part of the release notes that Bluetooth is currently disabled (and so is USB).
It is supposed to be included at some point, but at the moment if you try to get a BluetoothAdapter it does return null.
Android Things will use the latest version of Bluetooth called Bluetooth Low Energy and the only similarity between the two is that they have Bluetooth in the name!
Can I use Android Things with a Bluetooth connection?
Yes, well a Bluetooth Low Energy connection
https://www.link-labs.com/bluetooth-vs-bluetooth-low-energy/
In summary, Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) are used for very different purposes. Bluetooth can handle a lot of data, but consumes battery life quickly and costs a lot more. BLE is used for applications that do not need to exchange large amounts of data, and can therefore run on battery power for years at a cheaper cost. It all depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.
Everything you need to know about BLE is written here:
https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/connectivity/bluetooth-le.html
how can I enable Bluetooth without an input device?
You do not pair BLE devices like you used to with the older Bluetooth (but you can use Bonding). Check this out:
Android Bluetooth Low Energy Pairing
https://stackoverflow.com/a/20093695/413127
But as stated by #shalafi Android Things doesn't currently support Bluetooth
I been reading through the Bluetooth 4.0 core specification. However, I cannot find anywhere which states the true definition of 'dual-mode'.
From other google results, it looks like 'dual-mode' means that a BT device that has this capability can communicate with a LE device and a BR/EDR device simultaneously. However, I cannot find any official bluetooth docs that states this feature.
The closest one that I can get is:
The Brand book uses the term “dual mode” device to refer to a design
(host and/or controller) that is qualified in compliance with the
Basic Rate and Low Energy Combined Core Configuration as defined in
the Bluetooth specification. It is also referred to in the Bluetooth
specification as a BR/EDR/LE design.
from here
Could someone point out the location where 'dual-mode' is defined?
There is some different logic.
The two most prevalent implementations of the specification are
Bluetooth Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR), which was adopted as
version 2.0/2.1, and Bluetooth with low energy (LE), which was adopted
as version 4.0/4.1/4.2. Each implementation has different use cases
and each implementation uses a different chipset to meet essential
hardware requirements. Dual-mode chipsets are also available for
applications that include both use cases. https://www.bluetooth.com/specifications/bluetooth-core-specification
There is Bluetooth 2.x - BR/EDR spec and there is Bluetooth 4.x (now 5.0). They are individuals specification with different purposes and different tech implementation (different modulation, different DSP blocks, different modes of work, etc). Manufacturer like TI, STM and so on just implement both of theese specs on one chip (System on Chip) or in SiP (System in Package). And theese SoC and SiP named "dual-mode devices" and often BT 2.0 and BT 4.x work in theese SoCs (SiPs) simultaneously.
What I want to ask is - Will a BLE device be able to answer calls, play music, etc... or that Bluetooth 4.0 is intended for a kind of NFC alternative?
Bluetooth Low Energy is part of the Bluetooth 4.0 specification. Bluetooth 4.0 includes Classic Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy and Bluetooth High Speed.
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) uses a different radio protocol with fewer, wider channels and a lower transmission rate and power than Bluetooth Classic (although it uses the same frequencies) and most importantly it implements a different set of profiles.
Classic Bluetooth has profiles such as Serial Port Profile (SPP) and Handsfree Profile (HFP) while the most commonly used profile in BLE is the Generic Attribute profile (GATT). This profile allows for the transfer of small amounts of data at relatively low speeds and is not suitable high-bandwidth time-critical applications such as audio streaming.
Dual-mode Bluetooth chipsets that support Classic Bluetooth and BLE are available although often they can only operate in one mode at a time. Many BLE chipsets are BLE only, however as it reduces cost and complexity.
The short answer is that BLE can't support the classic Bluetooth functions you described.
Bluetooth 4.0 has all backwards compatibility with it's older versions.
BLE is a form of connect using low energy technology.
BLE = Bluetooth Low energy.
They are different technologies with different proposes. BLE tend to be used in heart rate monitors, bike computers, medicinal applications and etc. Whenever the power supply is limited.
BLE intent is not for headsets and similar devices. That's why you see on phone specifications Bluetooh 4.0 + BLE (or LE). Bluetooh is a technology, BLE is a 'protocol of communication'
I am trying to get my hands dirty on understanding Bluetooth (BT) for building a BT based speaker. When i read through Google on selecting the device, i came across CSR, TI and few more of them. After some research and talking to ppl, they suggested to go with TI (CC256x series). Few questions i have here are:
Can the same TI chip be used as Speaker, BT headset?
Can both SPP profiles and audio profiles co-exist together?
I am not sure as a application developer, i should know about BT firmware but wanted to get some insight on how BT works. Any good books?
Sorry for asking basic question here
-Prashanth
Yes! Audio transfer requires a high data rate which means you have to use a chip that supports bluetooth classic and not low energy (ble). The CC256x offers both a bluetooth classic and a dual bluetooth (classic + low energy) version, both will work.
Yes! SPP and audio profiles are implemented on different streams and it is normal for them to co-exist.
Good books on bluetooth classic are hard to come by, one of the best places to start is the Apple developer documentation (linked down below). The developer area of bluetooth.org is also a good place to start.
https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/documentation/DeviceDrivers/Conceptual/Bluetooth/BT_Intro/BT_Intro.html
https://developer.bluetooth.org/