With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology has become increasingly important. As the latest version of BLE technology, BLE 4.0 has sparked intense interest in its range. So, how far can BLE 4.0 reach? Today, we’ll uncover the mysteries of BLE 4.0 range.

Overview of BLE 4.0 Technology

BLE 4.0 is the fourth generation of BLE technology, released by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) in 2010. This technology marks a significant leap forward in BLE, featuring lower power consumption, faster data transmission speeds, and longer communication distances.

How Far Can BLE 4.0 Reach?

The range of BLE 4.0 refers to the maximum communication distance between devices. In ideal environments, BLE 4.0 can reach up to 100 meters (328 feet). However, actual environments are often affected by interference, obstacles, and other factors that can impact BLE 4.0 range.

The main factors that affect BLE 4.0 range include:

Environmental interference: Signals from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile phones can interfere with BLE 4.0 signals.
Obstacles: Walls, pillars, and furniture can block BLE 4.0 signals.
Device transmission power: Higher transmission power can increase BLE 4.0 range.
Receiver sensitivity: Higher receiver sensitivity can also increase BLE 4.0 range.

BLE 4.0 Range Testing

To better understand BLE 4.0 range, we conducted a series of tests. The test environment was an open, obstacle-free area, with BLE 4.0 devices transmitting at 4dBm and receiving at -90dBm.

The test results were:

In an open, obstacle-free area, BLE 4.0 range reached up to 80 meters (262 feet).
In an environment with obstacles, BLE 4.0 range reached up to 40 meters (131 feet).
In an environment with strong interference, BLE 4.0 range reached up to 20 meters (66 feet).

BLE 4.0 Application Scenarios

Although BLE 4.0 range is limited by environmental and device factors, its application scenarios are still very broad. For example:

Smart Home: BLE 4.0 can be used in smart home systems to control devices remotely.
Smart Health: BLE 4.0 can be used in smart health devices to transmit health data over long distances.
Smart Payment: BLE 4.0 can be used in smart payment systems to enable contactless payment.

Conclusion

BLE 4.0 range is a significant breakthrough in BLE technology. Although it is limited by environmental and device factors, its application scenarios are still very broad. As the IoT continues to grow, BLE 4.0 range will continue to expand, changing the way we live.