Learn About Bluetooth

Bluetooth technology overview

One key reason for the incredible success of Bluetooth® technology is the tremendous flexibility it provides developers. Offering two radio options, Bluetooth technology provides developers with a versatile set of full-stack, fit-for-purpose solutions to meet the ever-expanding needs for wireless connectivity.

Whether a product streams high-quality audio between a smartphone and speaker, transfers data between a tablet and medical device, or sends messages between thousands of nodes in a building automation solution, the Bluetooth LE and Bluetooth Classic radios are designed to meet the unique needs of developers worldwide.

Bluetooth Technology Overview Graphic
Bluetooth® ClassicBluetooth® LE
Frequency Band2.4GHz ISM Band (2.402 – 2.480 GHz Utilized)2.4GHz ISM Band (2.402 – 2.480 GHz Utilized)
Channels79 channels with 1 MHz spacing40 channels with 2 MHz spacing
(3 advertising channels/37 data channels)
Channel UsageFrequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)
ModulationGFSK, π/4 DQPSK, 8DPSKGFSK
Data RateEDR PHY (8DPSK): 3 Mb/s
EDR PHY (π/4 DQPSK): 2 Mb/s
BR PHY (GFSK): 1 Mb/s
LE 2M PHY: 2 Mb/s
LE 1M PHY: 1 Mb/s
LE Coded PHY (S=2): 500 Kb/s
LE Coded PHY (S=8): 125 Kb/s
Tx Power*≤ 100 mW (+20 dBm)≤ 100 mW (+20 dBm)
Rx Sensitivity≤-70 dBmLE 2M PHY: ≤-70 dBm
LE 1M PHY: ≤-70 dBm
LE Coded PHY (S=2): ≤-75 dBm
LE Coded PHY (S=8): ≤-82 dBm
Data TransportsAsynchronous Connection-oriented
Synchronous Connection-oriented
Asynchronous Connection-oriented
Isochronous Connection-oriented
Asynchronous Connectionless
Synchronous Connectionless
Isochronous Connectionless
Communication TopologiesPoint-to-Point (including piconet)Point-to-Point (including piconet)
Broadcast
Mesh
Positioning FeaturesNonePresence: Advertising
Direction: Direction Finding (AoA/AoD)
Distance: RSSI, Channel Sounding

* Devices shall not exceed the maximum allowed transmit power levels set by the regulatory bodies that have jurisdiction over the locales in which the device is to be sold or intended to operate. Implementers should be aware that the maximum transmit power level permitted under a given set of regulations might not be the same for all modulation modes.

FEATURE ENHANCEMENT

Bluetooth® Channel Sounding

See how Bluetooth® Channel Sounding can bring true distance awareness to billions of connected devices.

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