Topology Options

Devices need multiple ways to connect

To best meet the wireless connectivity needs of a diverse developer population, Bluetooth^® technology supports multiple topology options.

From simple point-to-point connections for streaming audio between a smartphone and speaker, to broadcast connections that enable way-finding services in an airport, to mesh connections that support large-scale building automation, Bluetooth supports multiple topology options to best meet the unique wireless connectivity needs of a diverse, global developer population.

Point-to-Point

Point-to-point is a network topology used for establishing one-to-one (1:1) device communications. The point-to-point topology available on Bluetooth Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR) is optimized for audio streaming and is ideally suited for a wide range of wireless devices, such as speakers, headsets, and hands-free car kits. The point-to-point topology available on Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) is optimized for data transfer and is well suited for connected device products, such as fitness trackers, health monitors, and PC peripherals and accessories.

Point-to-Point Resources

Bluetooth Core Specifications

Traditional Profile Specifications

GATT Specifications

Bluetooth Developer Starter Kit

Web Bluetooth Tutorial

Bluetooth Core Specification v5.1 Feature Overview

Application Accelerator 2.1

Bluetooth Secure Gateway Kit

Broadcast

Broadcast is a network topology used for establishing one-to-many (1:m) device communications. The broadcast topology available on Bluetooth LE is optimized for localized information sharing and is ideal for location services such as retail point-of-interest information, indoor navigation and wayfinding, as well as item and asset tracking.

Broadcast Resources

Bluetooth Core Specifications

Beacon Smart Starter Kit

Bluetooth Core Specification v5.1 Feature Overview

Smart Building Infographic

Mesh Networking

Mesh is a network topology used for establishing many-to-many (m:m) device communications. The mesh topology available on Bluetooth LE enables the creation of large-scale device networks and is ideally suited for control, monitoring, and automation systems where tens, hundreds, or thousands of devices need to reliably and securely communicate with one another.

Mesh Resources

Qualified Bluetooth Mesh Products

Mesh Networking Specifications

Bluetooth Mesh Overview

The Case for Bluetooth Mesh

Bluetooth Mesh Technology Overview

Paving the Way for Smart Lighting

Bluetooth Mesh Developer Study Guide

Smart Building Infographic

	Bluetooth Low Energy (LE)	Bluetooth Basic Rate/ Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR)
Point-to-Point (1:1 device communication)
Optimized For…	Short burst data transmission	Continuous data streaming
Setup time	<6 ms	100 ms
Max connections/ device (piconet)	Unlimited (implementation specific)	7
Data rate	125 Kb/s to 2 Mb/s	1 Mb/s to 3 Mb/s
Max payload size	251 byte	1,021 byte
Security	128-bit AES, user defined application layer	64b/128b, user defined application layer
Service definition	GATT Profiles	Traditional Profiles GATT Profiles
Broadcast (1:m device communication)
Max payload size	Primary Channel: 31 byte Secondary Channel: 255 byte Chaining of packets for larger messages	Not Applicable
Security	User defined application layer
Service definition	Beacon Formats (not specified by Bluetooth SIG)
Mesh (m:m device communication)
Max nodes	32,767	Not Applicable
Max subnets	4,096
Message addressing	Unicast, Multicast, Broadcast Up to 16,384 group addresses Supports publish/subscribe addressing
Message forwarding	Managed flood
Max payload size	29 byte payload
Security	128-bit AES Device, network and application levels
Service definition	Mesh Models, Mesh Properties