Abstract: Bluetooth is a technology that has passed multiple iterations to reach its current state. It all began back in the late 90s when there was a growing need to begin replacing cables with seamless wireless communication. From it’s first release back in 1999, it has already reached version 6.x. Each consecutive version brought qualitative and quantitative improvements, new protocols, use cases, higher bandwidth and better optimization. Currently, the technology is found in nearly all smart devices spanning numerous devices such as smartphones, laptops, smart wearables, audio devices and many others. The latest updates to the Bluetooth stack made it a viable option for the Internet of Things (IoT), cyber-physical systems (CPS) and robotics. This paper delivers a detailed overview of the technical development of the technology, its architecture and real-world deployment use cases. This overview paper is based on 34 recent scientific publications and goes over Bluetooth’s way of enabling smart environments, synchronized control systems, industrial sensing, smart wearable device and autonomous robotic coordination. The paper also reviews how Bluetooth is performing when there are constraints presented such as low power, limited spectrum, dynamic topologies and latency sensitivity. It is also noted how Bluetooth is used in increasingly complex real-world use-cases and in decentralized applications. The combined synthesis brings a better understanding of the role of the technology in shaping our current and future world.

Keywords: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wireless Communication, Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber- Physical Systems (CPS), Bluetooth 5.0 / 5.4, Bluetooth Advertising Protocol, Embedded Systems, Robotics, Mesh Networking, Energy Efficiency

Pages: 21-33