Software

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Comparing Bluetooth Low Energy Versions BLE4.2 vs. BLE5.0

• BLE4.2 and BLE5.0 are fully compatible with each other. There are no issues with interoperability.
• BLE5.0 is a newer version that offers some advantages such as lower power consumption, which can benefit individual devices like battery powered switches.
• However, to take full advantage of BLE5.0’s features like increased device capacity per network node, all devices on the system need to be BLE5.0.
• All newly developed products are using BLE5.0 now.
• Existing products are upgraded to BLE5.0 whenever safety listing updates are needed.
• Many products already have BLE5.0 versions developed, but we may not be shipping those versions yet.
• Full system transition to BLE5.0 is expected by late 2024, which will allow up to 200 devices per network node (increased from 100 devices with BLE4.2).

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How can I tell which firmware is present in the connected hardware?

“When you click ‘More’ at the bottom of the screen, click ‘Nearby Lights’. On this page, on the top right of the screen you will find ‘Type Rev’

For each device ID, the numbers shown on the top row represent the firmware rev. (example 0x68-20). The numbers shown on the second row indicate the firmware date code (example: 221103 = November 3, 2022)

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What is the difference between BLE, Bluetooth, and Bluetooth mesh? Is BLE the same as Bluetooth mesh?

No, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Bluetooth Mesh are not the same things. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between BLE, Bluetooth Classic, and Bluetooth Mesh:

1. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE):
– BLE is a low-power wireless communication protocol designed for short-range communication.
– It operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, just like Bluetooth Classic.
– BLE is optimized for low power consumption, making it suitable for battery-powered devices like fitness trackers, smart home sensors, and other IoT devices.
– BLE supports point-to-point connections between two devices, but it does not inherently support mesh networking capabilities.

2. Bluetooth Classic:
– Bluetooth Classic is the original Bluetooth standard, designed for continuous data streaming and higher data rates (up to 3 Mbps).
– It consumes more power than BLE but offers higher throughput.
– Bluetooth Classic is used for applications like wireless headsets, file transfers, and device-to-device communication where higher data rates are required.
– Like BLE, Bluetooth Classic does not inherently support mesh networking capabilities.

3. Bluetooth Mesh:
– Bluetooth Mesh is a separate protocol built on top of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology.
– Buetoooth Mesh is the technology used in LiteTrace’s Keilton+autani products
– It adds mesh networking capabilities to BLE, allowing devices to communicate with each other in a mesh topology.
– In a Bluetooth Mesh network, devices can relay messages to each other, extending the range and reliability of the network.
– Bluetooth Mesh is designed for creating large-scale, multi-node networks for applications like smart home automation, industrial automation, and asset tracking.
– Bluetooth Mesh introduces additional features like message relaying, self-healing capabilities, and support for multiple simultaneous communication paths.

In summary, BLE and Bluetooth Mesh are not the same. BLE is a low-power communication protocol focused on point-to-point connections, while Bluetooth Mesh is a separate protocol that adds mesh networking capabilities on top of BLE, enabling many-to-many communication and large-scale mesh networks.

Bluetooth Classic is the original Bluetooth standard, designed for higher data rates and continuous data streaming, but it does not support mesh networking capabilities either.

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What is the difference between software updates and firmware updates? How does the update process work?

Firmware vs Software Updates for Keilton products:

Firmware updates:
*Updates internal software code within Keilton hardware like lights, sensors, switches
*Done using Spiral Engineering app (available on App Store and Google Play)
*Provides enhancements and fixes for Keilton devices
*Instructions: https://keilton.s3.amazonaws.com/Spiral+Engineering+App+Instruction.pdf

Software updates:
*Updates the Keilton mobile app on your phone/tablet
*Automatically delivered via App Store/Play Store
*Includes new features and bug fixes for the app

Key Differences:
*Firmware updates embedded device software
*Software updates the mobile app only
*Firmware requires Spiral Engineering app
*Keilton app updates automatically
*Firmware enhances device capabilities
*Software improves app functions

In summary, firmware updates enhance hardware while software updates improve the mobile app. Using both ensures Keilton products stay up-to-date.

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