When Bluetooth SIG announced the official adoption of Bluetooth Core Specification Version 4.0, it included the iconic Bluetooth® Smart (low energy) function. The completion of the adoption process opened the door for all Bluetooth product types to undergo version 4.0 qualification certification.

The main features of Bluetooth Smart (low energy) wireless technology include:

1. Ultra-low peak, average and standby mode energy consumption

2. Standard button batteries can run the device for several years

3. Low cost

4. Multi-vendor interoperability

5. Enhanced range

Bluetooth Smart (low energy) technology allows enhancements to devices such as watches, toothbrushes or toys that use Bluetooth wireless technology. It also enables developers to add new features to devices that already use Bluetooth technology, such as sports and fitness, healthcare, human-machine interface (HID), and entertainment devices. For example, sensors in pedometers and blood glucose meters can operate using low-energy technology. The energy-saving and low-cost application features of version 4.0 will bring advantages to these single-mode devices. The watch can use both low-energy technology (collecting data from fitness sensors worn on the body) and traditional Bluetooth technology (sending data to a personal computer or wirelessly connecting to a smartphone to display incoming call information). Smart phones and personal computers use a dual-mode solution that simultaneously runs traditional, low-energy and high-speed Bluetooth technology, which can support the widest range of use cases that can be achieved by this specification.

Common property profile

The latest Bluetooth specification uses a service structure based on the Attribute Agreement (ATT). All low-energy communication is carried out through the General Attribute Profile (GATT). If the application or another configuration file uses the GATT configuration file, then the client and server can interact in an orderly manner.

The server contains a large number of attributes, and the GATT configuration file defines how to use the attribute protocol to discover, read, write, and obtain instructions. These functions support a service-based structure. The service used is defined in the profile specification. GATT enables you to understand the services and characteristics defined by the profile specifications.

As defined by the core specification, the GATT profile is also part of the core specification.

Configuration file

The first specification of Bluetooth low energy wireless technology includes two profiles to optimize the technology's functions for specific product groups: remote display profile and sensor profile.

The specification link of the current configuration file is listed below.

GATT-based Bluetooth profiles and services have been adopted

The GATT structure makes it easier to create and implement new profiles. Many new configuration files are still under development, so this advantage continues to expand. The implementation of configuration files is very simple, and the number of embedded devices supporting these configuration files is increasing rapidly.