Bluetooth Low Energy: uses and benefits for Industry 4.0

Published : 01/26/2022 18:00:00

The concept of Industry 4.0 incorporates the main cornerstones of technological development, first and foremost the complete automation and interconnection of industrial productivity.

The impact of digital technologies at industrial level has set some trends:

The collection, centralisation and use of data and information in real time through big data systems, Internet of Things, M2M connectivity and cloud computing;
The interaction between digital and real and human-machine sharing through wireless data transmission technologies, touchscreen interfaces and smart applications.

In the Industry 4.0 objective of facilitating the exchange and traceability of data between machines and users, the Bluetooth Low Energy communication protocol represents one of the most promising solutions in terms of performance, use and potential.

Let's find out what BLE technology is and what are its main uses and benefits for Industry 4.0

What is BLE technology and how does it differ from standard Bluetooth?

Bluetooth Low Energy, also known as Bluetooth Smart or Bluetooth 4.0, is a data transmission technology based on a radio frequency of 2.4 GHz, capable of connecting compatible devices within a radius of around 100 metres. The bandwidth is therefore the same as that used by standard Bluetooth technology, but unlike the latter, BLE is optimised through effective connection times of a few milliseconds, unlike Bluetooth, which connects for a few seconds, minutes or even hours.

Unlike classic Bluetooth, BLE technology therefore allows significant energy savings through up to 100 times lower power consumption. Other advantages of this technology include an incredible increase in battery life and easy installation.

Today, most devices connected to the Internet use Bluetooth Low Energy technology: from consumer items such as heart rate monitors, thermometers, smartwatches or smartphones, to industrial components such as IoT sensors, GPS detectors or LED dimmers.

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Applications and benefits of Bluetooth Low Energy in Industry

Using Bluetooth Smart in the industrial sector can be the ideal solution to facilitate short-range data transmission: Bluetooth sensors and beacons can be installed in the most difficult areas, where the installation of a wired network is not manageable.

As well as being a very cost-effective solution, BLE technology allows data to be shared and controlled through user-friendly platforms that are accessible to all users: these are often smartphone apps that can be downloaded for both iOS and Android.

Bluetooth Low Energy technology can be integrated into a multitude of Industrial Internet of Things applications, and beyond:

Production: the use of Bluetooth Smart can facilitate the monitoring of industrial production, using wireless BLE sensors that can detect data on line progress, machine status and any anomalies or faults;
Logistics: BLE technology devices can be integrated to track and identify goods, record movements within warehouses, intercept location movements or changes in quantities;
Safety: to ensure safe and healthy working environments, there are several types of Bluetooth Smart sensors that can monitor pressure, humidity, temperature, noise, toxicity and many other environmental parameters;
Personnel: BLE technology can be integrated into surveillance or GPS tracking systems, time and attendance systems or authorised personnel, with associated devices handling notifications;
Lighting: digital light control can be integrated into LED lighting systems thanks to Bluetooth Low Energy technology, which can communicate with the smartphone and manage the entire lighting system.
Medical: the integration of Bluetooth Smart technologies and IoT systems has started to create exciting new opportunities for the development of BLE devices in the medical field that can help doctors improve patient care and treatment;
Smart Home: the ever-widening spread of the BLE protocol in smartphones enables interaction with the most advanced and intelligent home appliances, coexisting seamlessly with other protocols such as Wi-Fi.

Differenze tra Bluetooth standard e BLE per applicazioni industriali

Industrial products and solutions with integrated BLE: the Digimax offering

A pioneer in Industrial 4.0 and IoT innovation, Digimax's offer has always been aimed at the most technologically advanced automation and data interconnection solutions.

Wireless IoT sensors, LED dimmers and controllers, GPS tracking modules: cutting-edge products integrated with BLE technology to enable data transmission and complete control of systems, through intuitive and easy-to-use mobile apps...

We can also develop integrated industrial projects and systems with Bluetooth Low Energy, which can bring significant benefits to companies and manufacturers. Contact us!

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