MAY 7, 2019

What is Bluetooth Mesh Networking?

• 26 Comments
• By: Selvi Shah
• Internet of Things, IoT Workshop

“Never before has a group of companies taken seriously the idea of using Bluetooth Mesh for smart home applications,” says Avi Rosenthal, a principal of the consulting firm CE/IoT Partners. Although there are companies out there using Bluetooth for home automation, this is the first time that a group of companies is going to sit down and decide on an absolute standard of interoperability.

Bluetooth Mesh Networking introduced by Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Bluetooth Mesh conceived in 2015 but adopted in July 2017. Bluetooth Mesh networking energy based upon Bluetooth Low Energy that provides many to many or one to many links between devices and communication over Bluetooth Radio.

You might associate with Bluetooth connection in your phone and other devices. We all know Bluetooth is either wired or wireless connection and connect with one another. With the help of Bluetooth, you can exchange data to another over short range without the need for any wires. Wireless technology is very useful like while driving a car, hands-free calling through wireless headsets and wireless file transfer. Bluetooth and Bluetooth Mesh both are different. Let’s learn about Wireless Bluetooth Mesh Networking.

What is Bluetooth Mesh Networking?

Bluetooth Mesh Networking uses Bluetooth LW (Low Energy) and is compatible with core specification version 4.0 and higher. Bluetooth Mesh is a true global standard for a simple secure connection and demonstrated the strength of many to many communication. With the help of mesh, hundreds or even thousands of devices can now connect to many to many wireless devices. Bluetooth Mesh Networking technology enables point to point broadcast or mesh Bluetooth is creating connections that innovation establish new markets.

Bluetooth Mesh Networking based upon only low power and short distance wireless networking between computers, phones, smart speakers, automated homes and other networking devices.

How does Bluetooth Mesh work?

As we know, Bluetooth Mesh based upon low energy and networking between many to many devices. These devices on Bluetooth mesh are called Nodes. Nodes send and receive messages to other nodes that are within range and data moves through the network node to node until it reaches its final destination. Nodes control messages and relay information to each other. They are made of wireless routers just like the ones you use at home. Many nodes forwarding data around the mesh can create network traffic. Users can communicate and exchange information across the mesh network. A node can contain multiple parts which can be controlled independently. Using a secure mobile application, users can get a notification without connecting with the cloud.

Now take one scenario, in a smart home, bulbs are connected with one node in order to communicate with each other. And node connected with the main modem. A node sends messages to all bulbs. Nodes control and monitor all bulbs to turn on/off automatically. Nodes pass signals to lights. And signals pass to one device to another and so on. No need to control any devices manually. Users will be able to control and monitor the devices whether they are in a home or not. Bluetooth Mesh is making home automation in reality. It is wireless connectivity that enables to control of lights, cameras, doorbells, and TV.

Bluetooth Mesh in IoT

Bluetooth mesh networking is a relatively new topology available to Bluetooth low power devices. Now lighting systems can also essential platforms to enable indoor navigations, tracking asset data and smart automated homes. For this reason, Bluetooth Mesh is gaining everywhere. IoT devices refer to a machine to machine communication whereas Bluetooth mesh refers many to many nodes communication. All in one, Bluetooth mesh is strong networking for IoT industry. Bluetooth mesh supports thousands of nodes on a single network.

Bluetooth mesh is one of the strongest fundamental enablers of future IoT markets. It adds new capabilities that enable innovation and established a new market. It secures connectivity across smart homes and building automation. The benefit of Bluetooth mesh to a user is that a network of the connected device could be used to relay messages and Bluetooth mesh could reach every corner of a large home.