The Low Powered Internet of Things
Launched in June 2012, Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is a network protocol that is often referred to as the next generation internet. Using IPv6 allows every device to have its own IP address to connect directly to the Internet. IPv6 alleviates the problems with the earlier version of the protocol, IPv4, which required higher complexity stacks and routing information. IPv4 has a shortage of internet addresses, however, IPv6 offers billions of IP addresses to accommodate the exponential growth of interconnected devices for IoT applications. This allows billions of devices to connect securely and exchange information in a standardized way over the Internet, as well as removing the dependence on smartphones.
The IPv6 protocol defines encapsulation and header compression mechanisms which reduce the stack complexity and routing information contained in the header. This allows reduced complexity software and physical layers such as Low rate wireless personal area networks – BTLE, LR-WPANs (IEEE 802.15.4), and sub-1GHzISM.
BTLE, (branded Bluetooth Smart), offers higher communication ranges and significantly reduced power consumption than traditional IOT WiFi endpoints. BTLE is ideal for applications requiring the episodic or periodic transfer of small amounts of data, and as such, it is well-suited for sensors, actuators, and other small devices that require extremely low power consumption such as in medical applications, e.g., heart rate monitors.
Bluetooth Version 4.2 via Internet Protocol (IP) Support Profile allows Bluetooth Smart sensors to access the internet via Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). This combination is referred to as 6LoWPAN connectivity. 6LoWPAN connectivity allows using existing IP infrastructure to manage Bluetooth smart “edge” devices.
Combining BTLE with IPv6, (6LoWPAN), allows for small, low-power devices that can communicate directly with each other and over the Internet without having to rely on different hubs available from each manufacturer. This streamlines connectivity and accelerates advancement in IoT devices.
Although the technology is available and being used, there are still significant issues to overcome in order for this technology to be used at its full potential. The biggest challenge is handling routing of packets between the BTLE enabled devices and the Internet. There are two ways to achieve this: having a single “Bluetooth Hub” or gateway that allows all BTLE enabled device to connect both together and over the Internet, or to include Bluetooth in routers. Although many enterprise routers are Bluetooth enabled, this has not trickled down to the consumer level. This is critical for use in IoT applications in order to make “smart” devices truly smart. However, in this fast growing consumer technology market this option should be available sooner than later.
6LoPWAN, the BTLE and IPv6 combination, is an ideal solution to consider for low power and complexity wireless endpoints.