Abstract: Current sensor networks need to be improved and updated to satisfy new essential requirements of the Internet of Things, where cutting-edge applications will appear. These requirements are: total coverage, zero fails (high performance), scalability and sustainability (hardware and software). We are going to evaluate Bluetooth Low Energy as wireless transmission technology and as the ideal candidate for these improvements, due to its low power consumption, its low cost radio chips and its ability to communicate with users directly, using their smartphones or smartbands. However, this technology is relatively recent, and standard network topologies are not able to fulfil its new requirements. To address these shortcomings, the implementation of other more flexible topologies (as the mesh topology) will be very interesting. After studying it in depth, we have identified certain weaknesses, for example, specific devices are needed to provide network scalability, and the need to choose between high performance or sustainability. In this paper, after presenting the studies carried out on these new technologies, we propose a new packet format and a new BLE mesh topology, with two different configurations: Individual Mesh and Collaborative Mesh. Our results show how this topology improves the scalability, sustainability, coverage and performance. Keywords: bluetooth low energy; mesh topology; Industry 4.0; Collaborative Mesh; Internet of Things (IoT); sensor network Our research group at the Albacete Research Institute of Informatics (I3A) [1] has been actively involved in the study and deployment of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for indoor and outdoor monitoring. Our research work started in 2005 with Wisevine [2], a regional Project with industrial partners. This Project enabled us to introduce this new technology into an important sector in our region: vine growing. We developed a computer-based information system and an operational prototype for capturing and processing data, which allows the data to be easily analysed by the specialists. Twenty two measurements points with three nodes located at three different heights were deployed (66 Mica2 nodes capturing data, see Figure 1 ). Data collected by the deployed sensors provides farmers with relevant information. This information can be used together with other tools for daily decision-making. Furthermore, the information generated throughout a season or year should prove valuable to improve farm performance.
Hortelano et al. REF evaluated BLE and proposed it as the ideal candidate where total coverage, zero fails, scalability, and sustainability are important due to its low power consumption.
From Sensor Networks to Internet of Things. Bluetooth Low Energy, a Standard for This Evolution
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
Computer Science Medicine