What is a BLE module?

The BLE module, namely the Bluetooth Low Energy module, refers to a module that supports Bluetooth Protocol 4.0 or higher. Here is a detailed introduction about it:

• Low power consumption: In the broadcast mode, the power consumption can usually be reduced to below 1mA. After entering the low-power mode, it can even reach below 200μA, ensuring the long-term use of the button battery and enabling quick wake-up.
• Master-slave integration: It can not only be used for the host to actively search and establish a connection, but also for the slave to wait to be connected, which has great application value.
• Bluetooth mesh networking: By leveraging the broadcasting feature of Bluetooth and distributing multiple Bluetooth modules in a mesh pattern, it enhances wireless coverage and data transmission distance. Combined with advantages such as low power consumption, low cost, and high security, it can be applied in various fields.
• Bluetooth beacon: A broadcasting protocol based on the low-power Bluetooth protocol. As a low-power Bluetooth slave device, it can broadcast data packets to the surrounding area for indoor positioning, product promotion, etc.

• Physical Layer (PHY) : Specifies the wireless frequency band, modulation and demodulation methods and approaches used by ble, and determines the power consumption, sensitivity and other RF indicators of the ble chip.
• Link Layer (LL) : It is the core of the ble protocol stack, responsible for selecting radio frequency channels, identifying data packets, sending and receiving data packets, ensuring data integrity, performing retransmission, and managing and controlling links, etc.
• Host Control Interface Layer (HCI) : Optional, used in scenarios where two chips implement the ble protocol stack, standardizing the communication protocols and commands between the two.
• Common Access Profile Layer (GAP) : Used for broadcasting, scanning, and initiating connections, etc.
• Logical Link Control and Adaptive Protocol Layer (L2CAP) : Encapsulates LL, distinguishes encrypted channels from regular channels, and manages connection intervals.
• Security Management Layer (SM) : Manages the encryption and security of ble connections.
• Property Protocol Layer (ATT) : Defines user commands and the data for command operations, such as reading/writing a certain data, and introduces the concept of properties to describe the data.
• General Attribute Configuration File Layer (GATT) : Standardizes the data content in attributes and classifies and manages it using the concept of grouping.

• Mobile expansion devices: such as smart wearable devices, sports equipment, heart rate monitoring instruments, etc.
• Automotive electronic devices: such as tire pressure detection, automatic car locking, parking space recording, data acquisition and monitoring beacons, etc.
• Health and medical supplies: such as heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors, real-time temperature detection, smart cribs, etc.
• Positioning applications: such as indoor positioning, underground positioning, etc.
• Short-range data collection: such as wireless meter reading, wireless telemetry, etc.
• Data transmission: such as smart home indoor control, Bluetooth dimming, printers, etc.