General FAQs

Can the mobile apps (Keilton+autani, Keilton Pro HD, Spiral Engineering) be used on a PC or Laptop?

Keilton mobile apps are designed to operate on mobile devices to align well with field work requirements.

• The Keilton apps are available for free download for both iOS phones/tablets and Android phones/tablets. They are not available for use on PC or laptops.
• Spiral Engineering (for over-the-air firmware/OTA updates) is only available on iOS platforms.

We continue to develop and improve the use and functions.

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.
• 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).

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

Click More at the bottom of the screen, then click Nearby Lights. On the top right of the screen, you will find Type Rev.

• Top Row: Represents the firmware rev (e.g., 0x68-20).
• Second Row: Indicates the firmware date code (e.g., 221103 = November 3, 2022).

What is firmware?

What is firmware?

Firmware is the permanent software that lives inside each piece of hardware.

Think of firmware like the operating system on your smartphone. Just as Apple and Google regularly update iOS and Android to add features, fix bugs, and maintain security, we update our firmware to ensure your lighting system stays current, secure, and compatible with new capabilities.

Our firmware is the ‘brain’ of your hardware. It tells the device how to function, how to respond when you press a button, how to communicate with your phone app, how to dim a light, or how to detect motion. When we don’t update it, you’d miss out on new features, performance improvements, and important fixes.

Firmware vs. Apps

Mobile App	Firmware
Lives on your phone/tablet	Lives inside each hardware device
Updates through App Store	Updates through the app to the device
One app controls many devices	Each device has its own firmware
Interface you see and touch	“Brain” you never see

Each Device Has Its Own Firmware

This is important: each piece of hardware in your system has its own firmware. Your occupancy sensor has one firmware version, your gateway has another, and your dimmer switch has yet another. That’s why when you see an update available, it might only be for specific devices, or why updates might take time. We’re updating multiple ‘brains’ in your system.

Why It’s Called ‘Firmware’

It’s called ‘firm’ ware because it sits between:

• Hardware (physical/permanent – the circuits and chips)
• Software (flexible/temporary – your mobile app)

It’s more permanent than software but more updateable than hardware.

Why does firmware sometimes need to be updated?

• New Features: Updates enable capabilities that didn’t exist when you first purchased.
• Bug Fixes: We constantly improve reliability based on real-world feedback.
• Compatibility: As apps and platforms evolve, firmware must keep pace.
• Security: Like any connected device, security patches are essential.
• Cost-Free Improvements: Unlike buying new hardware, updates enhance what you already own.

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.
• Bluetooth 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.

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

Firmware Updates

• Updates hardware (lights, sensors, switches)
• Uses Spiral Engineering app
• Enhances device capabilities

Software Updates

• Updates the Keilton mobile app
• Delivered via App Store/Play Store
• Improves app functions and features

Instruction: Spiral Engineering App Instruction