BLUETOOTH BASED SMART SENSOR NETWORKS

by

ADEGOKE ADEFUNKE
MAT NO: SAS/HD/21/00833

BEING A SEMINAR WORK SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

AWARD OF HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA (HND) DEGREE IN
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, SCHOOL
OF APPLIED SCIENCES, EDO STATE POLYTECHNIC, USEN.

JUNE 2023
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 DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to God Almighty.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I want to use this medium to express my profound gratitude to Almighty God
for his Infinity Mercy, Grace, Guidance.

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ABSTRACT

Various sensors are already in a broad use today as part of different devices or as

standalone devices connected to a network usually to monitor industrial processes,

equipments or installations. the advancements in technology, wireless

communications have enhanced development of small, low power and low cost

devices. Such devices when organized into a network, present a powerful platform

that can be used in many interesting applications. Bluetooth is a low cost, short-

range, wireless technology with small footprint, low power consumption and

reasonable throughput. Bluetooth wireless technology has become global

technology specification for “always on” wireless communication not just as a

point-to-point but was a network technology as well. The kernel of this paper,

deals about an implementation of bluetooth based sensor networks.

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INTRODUCTION

Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks are wireless networks that utilize Bluetooth

technology for communication between various sensor nodes. These networks

enable the collection and transmission of data from multiple sensors to a central

hub or a connected device for processing and analysis.

The communications capability of devices and continuous transparent information

routes are indispensable components of future oriented automation concepts.

Communication is increasing rapidly in industrial environment even at field level.

In any industry the process can be realized through sensors and can be controlled

through actuators. The process is monitored on the central control room by getting

signals through a pair of wires from each field device in Distributed Control

Systems (DCS). With advent in networking concept, the cost of wiring is saved by

networking the field devices. But the latest trend is elimination of wires i.e.,

wireless networks.

Wireless sensor networks - networks of small devices equipped with sensors,

microprocessor and wireless communication interfaces.

In 1994, Ericsson Mobile communications, the global telecommunication company

based in Sweden, initiated a study to investigate, the feasibility of a low power,

low cost ratio interface, and to find a way to eliminate cables between devices.

Finally, the engineers at the Ericsson named the new wireless technology as “Blue

tooth” to honour the 10th century king if Denmark, Harald Blue tooth (940 to 985

A.D).

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The goals of blue tooth are unification and harmony as well, specifically enabling

different devices to communicate through a commonly accepted standard for wire

less connectivity.

Blue Tooth

Blue tooth operates in the unlicensed ISM band at 2.4 GHZ frequency band and

use frequency hopping spread spectrum technique. A typical Blue tooth device has

a range of about 10 meters and can be extended to 100meters. Communication

channels supports total bandwidth of 1 Mb / sec. A single connection supports a

maximum asymmetric data transfer rate of 721 KBPS maximum of three channels.

BLUE TOOTH – NETWORKS

In bluetooth, a Piconet is a collection of up to 8 devices that frequency hop

together. Each Piconet has one master usually a device that initiated establishment

of the Piconet, and up to 7 slave devices. Master’s Blue tooth address is used for

definition of the frequency hopping sequence. Slave devices use the master’s clock

to synchronize their clocks to be able to hop simultaneously.

A Piconet

MASTER
SLAVE 3 SLAVE 1

SLAVE 2

MASTER ACTIVE SLAVE STANDBY

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When a device wants to establish a Piconet it has to perform inquiry to discover

other Blue tooth devices in the range. Inquiry procedure is defined in such a way to

ensure that two devices will after some time, visit the same frequency same time

when that happens, required information is exchanged and devices can use paging

procedure to establish connection.

When more than 7 devices needs to communicate, there are two options. The first

one is to put one or more devices into the park state. Blue tooth defines three low

power modes sniff, hold and park. When a device is in the park mode then it

disassociates from and Piconet, but still maintains timing synchronization with it.

The master of the Piconet periodically broadcasts beacons (Warning) to invite the

slave to rejoin the Piconet or to allow the slave to request to rejoin. The slave can

rejoin the Piconet only if there are less than seven slaves already in the Piconet. If

not so, the master has to ‘park’ one of the active slaves first. All these actions cause

delay and for some applications it can be unacceptable for eg: process control

applications, that requires immediate response from the command centre (central

control room).

Scatternet consists of several Piconets connected by devices participating in

multiple Piconet. These devices can be slaves in all Piconets or master in one

Piconet and slave in other Piconets. Using scatternets higher throughput is

available and multi-hop connections between devices in different Piconets are

possible. i.e., The unit can communicate in one Piconet at time so they jump from

pioneer to another depending upon the channel parameter.

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A Scatternet

 MASTER

ACTIVE
 SLAVE
PARKED
SLAVE

 STANDBY 

BLUE TOOTH BASED SENSOR NETWORK

The main challenge in front of Blue tooth developers now is to prove
interoperability between different manufactures’ devices and to provide numerous
interesting applications. One of such applications is wireless sensor networks.
Wireless sensor networks comprise number of small devices equipped with a
sensing unit, microprocessors, and wireless communication interface and power
source.
1. An important feature of wireless sensor networks is collaboration of
network nodes during the task execution.
2. Another specific characteristics of wireless sensor network is Data-centric
nature.
As deployment of smart sensor nodes is not planned in advance and positions of
nodes in the field are not determined, it could happen that some sensor nodes end
in such positions that they either cannot perform required measurement or the error
probability is high. For that a redundant number of smart nodes is deployed in this
field. These nodes then communicate, collaborate and share data, thus ensuring
better results.
Smart sensor nodes scattered in the field, collect data and send it to users via
“gateway” using multiple hop routes.

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 A Wireless sensor network

sensor network
Short Public
range Gate way network
wireless logic interface
interface

Internet

Users
The main functions of a gateway are
 Communication with sensor Networks

a. Shortage wireless communication is used.

b. It provides functions like discovery of smart sensor nodes, generic
methods of sending and receiving data to and from sensors, routing .
 Gateway logic

1. It controls gateway interfaces and data flow to and from sensor

network.
2. It provides an abstraction level that describes the existing sensors
and their characteristics.
3. It provides functions for uniform access to sensors regardless of
their type, location or N/W topology, inject queries and tasks and
collect replies.

 Communication With Users

Gateway communications with users or other sensor networks over the Internet,
WAN, Satellite or some shortage communication technology.
From the user point of view, quering and tasking are two main services provided
by wireless sensor networks. Queries are used when user requires only the current
value of the observed phenomenon. Tasking is a more complex operation and is
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used when a phenomenon has to be observed over a large period of time.Both
queries and tasks of time to the network by the gateway which also collects replies
and forwards them to users.

SENSOR NETWORK IMPLEMENTATION

The main goal of our implementation was to build a hardware platform and generic
software solutions that can serve as the basis and a test bed for the research of
wireless sensor network protocols.

Implemented sensor network consists of several smart sensor nodes and a gateway.
Each smart node can have several sensors and is equipped with a microcontroller
and a bluetooth radio module.

Gate way and smart nodes are members of the Piconet and hence maximum seven
smart nodes can exist simultaneously in the network.
For example, a pressure sensor is implemented, as bluetooth node in a following
way.

The sensor is connected to the bluetooth node and consists of the pressure sensing
element, smart signal-conditioning circuitry including calibration and temperature
compensation, and the Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS). These features
are built directly into the sensor microcontroller used for node communication
control plus memory for TEDS configuration information.

Smart Sensor Node Architecture

The architecture shown in figure can easily be developed for specific sensor
configurations such as thermocouples, strain gauges, and other sensor technologies
and can include sensor signal conditioning as well as communications functions.

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 A Bluetooth wireless smart pressure sensor node

Conditioned along sensor signal is digitized and digital data is then processed
using stored TEDS data. The pressure sensor node collects data from multiple
sensors and transmits the data via bluetooth wireless communications in the
2.4 GHZ base band to a network hub or other internet appliance such as a
computer.
The node can supply excitation to each sensor, or external sensor power can be
supplied. Up to eight channels are available on each node for analog inputs as well
as digital output. The sensor signal is digitized with 16-bit A/D resolution for
transmission along with the TEDS for each sensor. This allows each channel to
identify itself to the host system. The node can operate from either an external
power supply or an attached battery. The maximum transmission distance is 10
meters with an optional capability to 100 meters.
The IEEE 1451 family of standards are used for definition of functional boundaries
and interfaces that are necessary to enable smart transducer to be easily connected
to a variety of networks. The standards define the protocol and functions that give
the transducer interchangeability in networked system, with this information a host
microcomputer recognized a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or another
sensor type along with the measurement range and scaling information based on
the information contained in the TEDS data.
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With blue tooth technology, small transceiver modules can be built into a wide
range of products including sensor systems, allowing fast and secure transmission
of data within a given radius (Usually up to 10m).
A blue tooth module consists primarily of three functional blocks – an analog 2.4
GHz., Blue tooth RF transceiver unit, and a support unit for link management and
host controller interface functions.
The host controller has a hardware digital signal processing part- the Link
Controller (LC), a CPU core, and it interfaces to the host environment. The link
controller consists of hardware and software parts that perform blue tooth based
band processing, and physical layer protocols. The link controller performs
lowlevel digital-signal processing to establish connections, assemble or
disassemble, packets, control frequency hopping, correct errors and encrypt data.

BLUETOOTH MODULE HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE

The CPU core allows the blue tooth module to handle inquiries and filter page
request without involving the host device. The host controller can be programmed
to answer certain page messages and authenticate remote links. The link
manager(LM) software runs on the CPU core. The LM discovers other remote
LMs and communicates with them via the link manager protocol (LMP) to perform
its service provider role using the services of the underlying LC. The link manager
is a software function that uses the services of the link controller to perform link
setup, authentication, link configuration, and other protocols. Depending on the

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implementation, the link controller and link manager functions may not reside in
the same processor.
Another function component is of course, the antenna, which may be integrated on
the PCB or come as a standalone item. A fully implemented blue tooth module also
incorporates higher-level software protocols, which govern the functionality and
interoperability with other modules.
Gate way plays the role of the Piconet’s master in the sensor network. It controls
establishments of the network, gathers information about the existing smart sensor
nodes and sensor attached to them and provides access to them.

DISCOVERY OF THE SMART SENSOR NODES

Smart sensor node discovery is the first procedure that is executed upon the
gateway installation. It goals to discover all sensor nodes in the area and to build a
list of sensor’s characteristics and network topology. Afterwards, it is executed
periodically to facilitate addition of new or removal of the existing sensors. The
following algorithm is proposed.
When the gateway is initialized, it performs bluetooth inquiry procedure. When the
blue tooth device is discovered, the major and minor device classes are checked.
These parameters are set by each smart node to define type of the device and type
of the attached sensors. Service class field can be used to give some additional
description of offered services. if discovered device is not smart node it is
discarded. Otherwise service database of the discovered smart node is searched for
sensor services. As currently there is no specific sensor profile, then database is
searched for the serial port profile connection parameters. Once connection strings
is obtained from the device. Blue tooth link is established and data exchange with
smart mode can start.

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IMPORTANCE

Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks offer several significant advantages and

hold considerable importance in various fields. Here are some key reasons why
they are important:
1. Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks provide
wireless connectivity, eliminating the need for complex wired
infrastructure. This makes them highly flexible, easy to deploy, and cost-
effective compared to traditional wired sensor networks.
2. Scalability: These networks can be easily scaled up or down based on the
application requirements. Additional sensor nodes can be added to expand
the network coverage or enhance data collection capabilities without
significant infrastructure changes.
3. Real-time Data Monitoring: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks enable
real-time monitoring of data from multiple sensors. This is crucial in
applications where immediate response or quick decision-making is
required, such as industrial process monitoring, healthcare systems, or
emergency response scenarios.
4. Energy Efficiency: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, commonly
used in smart sensor networks, is designed to operate with low power
consumption. This enables sensor nodes to have extended battery life,
reducing the need for frequent battery replacements and minimizing
maintenance efforts.
5. Cost-effectiveness: Bluetooth technology is widely available and has
become relatively inexpensive, making it a cost-effective solution for
deploying smart sensor networks. The reduced hardware and infrastructure
costs make it accessible to a wider range of applications and industries.

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 6. Interoperability: Bluetooth technology has high interoperability with
various devices and platforms. It can connect with smartphones, tablets, and
other Bluetooth-enabled devices, allowing easy integration with existing
systems and enabling remote monitoring and control.
7. Diverse Applications: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks have
applications across multiple domains, including home automation,
healthcare, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and industrial
automation. They provide a versatile solution for monitoring and
controlling different parameters in these areas, leading to improved
efficiency, safety, and productivity.
8. Data Analytics and Insights: The data collected from smart sensor networks
can be processed and analyzed to extract valuable insights and trends. This
information can be used for optimization, predictive maintenance, decision-
making, and resource allocation in various industries.
ADVANTAGES OF BLUETOOTH BASED SMART SENSOR NETWORKS

Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks offer several advantages, making them a

popular choice for various applications. Here are some key advantages of
Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks:
1. Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth technology provides reliable wireless
connectivity between sensor nodes and central hubs or connected devices.
This eliminates the need for complex and expensive wired infrastructure,
making installation and deployment easier and more flexible.
2. Cost-effective: Bluetooth technology is widely available and affordable,
making it a cost-effective solution for implementing smart sensor networks.
The lower hardware and infrastructure costs make it accessible to a wider
range of applications and industries.
3. Energy Efficiency: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is designed for low-power
operation, allowing sensor nodes to conserve energy and extend battery life.
This is particularly important in applications where sensor nodes are

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 deployed in remote or hard-to-reach locations, reducing the frequency of
battery replacements and maintenance efforts.
4. Easy Integration: Bluetooth technology has high interoperability with
various devices and platforms. It can easily connect with smartphones,
tablets, gateways, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices. This simplifies
integration with existing systems and enables seamless data exchange and
control.
5. Scalability: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks can be easily scaled up
or down based on the application requirements. Additional sensor nodes can
be added to expand the network coverage or enhance data collection
capabilities without significant infrastructure changes or disruptions.
6. Real-time Data Monitoring: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks allow
for real-time data monitoring from multiple sensors. This enables
immediate response, quick decision-making, and timely interventions in
critical applications such as industrial process monitoring, healthcare
systems, or emergency response scenarios.
7. Versatility: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks have diverse
applications across different domains. They can be used for home
automation, industrial monitoring, healthcare monitoring, environmental
monitoring, agriculture, and more. The versatility of these networks allows
for customized solutions in various industries.
8. Ease of Use: Bluetooth technology is user-friendly and widely adopted.
Setting up and configuring Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks is
relatively straightforward, even for non-technical users. This simplifies the
deployment and operation of the network.
9. Security: Bluetooth technology incorporates built-in security features,
including encryption and authentication mechanisms, to protect data
transmission. This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the collected
data, making Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks a secure solution for
data communication.

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 10. Mobility: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks are highly portable and
can be easily relocated or reconfigured as needed. This flexibility allows for
dynamic deployment in mobile or changing environments, making them
suitable for applications where sensors need to be moved frequently.

DISADVANTAGES OF BLUETOOTH BASED SMART SENSOR

NETWORKS
While Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks offer numerous advantages, there
are also some potential disadvantages that should be considered. Here are some of
the key disadvantages:
1. Limited Range: Bluetooth technology has a relatively limited range
compared to other wireless communication protocols. Typically, Bluetooth
has an effective range of around 10 meters to 100 meters, depending on the
version and environmental factors. This limitation may restrict the coverage
area of the sensor network, requiring additional infrastructure or range
extenders for larger deployments.
2. Interference: Bluetooth operates in the crowded 2.4 GHz frequency band,
which is shared with other wireless devices such as Wi-Fi routers,
microwaves, cordless phones, and other Bluetooth devices. This can lead to
potential interference issues, especially in areas with high device density or
electromagnetic interference. Interference can impact the reliability and
performance of the smart sensor network.
3. Data Throughput: Bluetooth technology is optimized for low-power
communication, which often comes at the expense of data throughput.
While Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is designed to transmit small packets
of data efficiently, it may not be suitable for applications requiring high-
bandwidth data transfer or real-time streaming of large data sets.

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 4. Power Consumption: While Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is designed to be
power-efficient, it still consumes some power during communication.
Continuous communication and data transmission in Bluetooth-based smart
sensor networks can have an impact on the battery life of sensor nodes,
requiring periodic battery replacements or recharging.
5. Network Scalability: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks may face
challenges in terms of scalability when the number of sensor nodes
increases significantly. As the network grows, managing and coordinating a
large number of nodes can become complex. Additionally, the limited range
of Bluetooth can further restrict the scalability of the network.
6. Security Concerns: Although Bluetooth technology incorporates security
features, there have been occasional vulnerabilities and security breaches in
the past. It is important to implement appropriate security measures, such as
encryption and authentication, to protect data transmitted over Bluetooth-
based smart sensor networks.
7. Compatibility Issues: While Bluetooth technology is widely adopted, there
can still be compatibility issues between different versions and
implementations. Compatibility problems may arise when integrating
Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks with other devices or systems using
different Bluetooth profiles or protocols.
8. Data Transfer Distance: As the distance between the sensor nodes and the
central hub increases, the data transfer speed and reliability may decrease.
This can result in slower data transmission or potential data loss if the
signal strength weakens over distance.
9. Network Congestion: In scenarios where multiple Bluetooth-based smart
sensor networks coexist in close proximity, there can be congestion issues
due to interference and overlapping frequency channels. This can affect the
overall network performance and reliability.
It's important to note that many of these disadvantages can be mitigated or
managed with proper network planning, design considerations, and technological
advancements. Additionally, the specific disadvantages and their impact may vary
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depending on the application requirements and the environment in which the
Bluetooth-based smart sensor network is deployed.

USES IN THE SOCIETY TODAY

Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks have various uses in society today,
impacting numerous industries and sectors. Here are some common applications:
1. Smart Homes: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks are used in smart
home systems to monitor and control various aspects such as lighting,
temperature, security, and energy consumption. They enable automation and
remote control of home devices, providing convenience, energy efficiency,
and improved security.
2. Healthcare Monitoring: Smart sensor networks employing Bluetooth
technology are used in healthcare for remote patient monitoring, wearable
devices, and telemedicine applications. They enable the collection of vital
signs, medication adherence tracking, and real-time monitoring of patients'
health conditions, improving patient care and enabling early detection of
health issues.
3. Industrial Automation: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks are utilized
in industrial automation for monitoring and controlling manufacturing
processes, equipment, and environmental conditions. They enable real-time
data collection, predictive maintenance, and optimization of industrial
operations, leading to increased efficiency, reduced downtime, and
improved safety.
4. Environmental Monitoring: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks are
employed for environmental monitoring, such as air quality monitoring,
water quality monitoring, and weather monitoring. They provide real-time
data on pollution levels, temperature, humidity, and other environmental
parameters, aiding in environmental conservation efforts and public health
management.
5. Agriculture: Smart sensor networks with Bluetooth connectivity are used in
precision agriculture for monitoring soil moisture, temperature, humidity,
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 and crop growth. This data enables farmers to optimize irrigation,
fertilization, and pest control, resulting in improved crop yields and
resource management.
6. Asset Tracking: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks are used for asset
tracking in various industries. They enable real-time tracking and
monitoring of assets, such as inventory, vehicles, and equipment, improving
logistics, reducing loss, and enhancing supply chain management.
7. Sports and Fitness: Bluetooth-enabled wearable devices and smart sensor
networks are utilized in sports and fitness applications. They track
activities, monitor vital signs, and provide real-time feedback, helping
individuals optimize their workouts, monitor their health, and achieve
fitness goals.
8. Retail and Proximity Marketing: Bluetooth-based beacons and smart sensor
networks are employed in retail environments for proximity marketing,
personalized advertisements, and customer engagement. They enable
targeted messaging, location-based offers, and customer analytics,
enhancing the retail experience and driving customer engagement.
9. Smart Cities: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks play a crucial role in
smart city initiatives. They enable monitoring and management of urban
infrastructure, including parking, street lighting, waste management, and
traffic control. These networks contribute to resource optimization,
improved services, and enhanced sustainability in urban areas.
10. Education and Learning: Bluetooth-based smart sensor networks are used in
educational settings to support interactive learning experiences. They enable
wireless connectivity between devices, facilitating collaboration, interactive
presentations, and adaptive learning environments.
These are just a few examples of the uses of Bluetooth-based smart sensor
networks in society today. As technology continues to advance, the potential
applications and benefits of these networks are likely to expand even further.

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 CONCLUSION

Blue tooth represents a great chance for sensor-networked architecture. This

architecture heralds wireless future for home and also for industrial
implementation. With a blue tooth RF link, users only need to bring the devices
with in range, and the devices will automatically link up and exchange
information.
Thus implementation of blue tooth technology for sensor networks not only cuts
wiring cost but also integrates the industrial environment to smarter environment.
Today, with a broader specifications and a renewed concentration on
interoperability, manufacturers are ready to forge ahead and take blue tooth
products to the market place. Embedded design can incorporate the blue tooth
wireless technology into a range of new products to meet the growing demand for
connected information appliances.

FUTURE TASKS

Future work is aimed to develop and design a blue tooth-enabled data concentrator
for data acquisition and analysis.

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G.I.Pottie, W.J.Kaiser “Wireless Integrated network sensors”,

Communications of the ACM, May 2002.
C.Shen, C.Srisathapomphat “sensor networking architecture and
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C.Chellappan, RTCBPA, June 2003.
Pappa,Transducer networks, RTCBPA, June 2003.

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