Implementing Bluetooth LE in a Tracking Device
Jaakko Oinas · Theseus (Ammattikorkeakoulujen) · 2015
The final year project described in this thesis dealt with integrating Bluetooth low energy (LE) technology to a tracking device system. The project was part of a larger research project of Navigil Ltd, where the possibilities of utilizing Bluetooth LE in a tracking device system were studied. The ML7105 system-on-chip, which offers possibility for LE technology, had already been chosen in the project and it was also used in this final year project. The final year project included studying the LE technology and its features in the ML7105. The final target was to implement a software module which would act as an application programming interface (API) between the tracking device system and the ML7105. As result of the work, a functioning API was created. Through the API Navigil was able to utilize Bluetooth LE features in their tracking applications. This API enabled specific features such as scanning, advertising, and connecting. By using these features a tracking device can discover other Bluetooth LE devices and to be visible to them, as well as to connect and to be connectable to them. Navigil has already used this API in their S1 safety wristwatch phone product for creating an indoor positioning method. In the future this API could be used by a tracking device to access different kinds of wireless sensors (e.g. a heart-rate belt) and to use the data gathered to develop services.