Zephyr Connectivity: BLE
Implement robust, low-power Bluetooth Low Energy applications using Zephyr's industry-standard BLE stack.
Core Workflows
1. BLE Fundamentals
Set up advertising, define GATT services, and manage connections.
- •Reference: ble_fundamentals.md
- •Key Tools:
BT_GATT_SERVICE_DEFINE,bt_le_adv_start,BT_CONN_CB_DEFINE.
2. Send-When-Idle Pattern
Optimize radio usage by bundling data and transmitting only during idle periods.
- •Reference: send_when_idle.md
- •Key Tools:
k_work_delayable, Workqueues, SMF integration.
3. Power Optimization
Fine-tune intervals and connection parameters for maximum battery life.
- •Reference: power_optimization.md
- •Key Tools:
bt_le_conn_param, Advertising intervals, PHY selection.
Quick Start (Advertising)
kconfig
CONFIG_BT=y CONFIG_BT_PERIPHERAL=y
c
#include <zephyr/bluetooth/bluetooth.h>
void start_simple_adv(void) {
bt_enable(NULL);
bt_le_adv_start(BT_LE_ADV_CONN_NAME, NULL, 0, NULL, 0);
}
Professional Patterns (Wireless Design)
- •Aggressive Latency: Increase peripheral latency to allow the radio to stay off longer during quiet periods.
- •Decoupled Messaging: Use Zbus to feed data into the BLE module, keeping the radio logic separate from the application logic.
- •Idle Bundling: Use the "Send-When-Idle" pattern specifically to reduce the number of wake-ups for the radio controller.
Resources
- •References:
- •
ble_fundamentals.md: GATT, GAP, and connection basics. - •
send_when_idle.md: Implementing the idle-bundle pattern. - •
power_optimization.md: Parameter tuning and power-saving Kconfigs.
- •