Extending Bluetooth with Mesh Networking

Mesh networking is a new topology available for Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) devices that enables many-to-many (m:m) communications. It's optimized for creating large-scale node networks and ideally suited for lighting, home automation, and asset tracking. Bluetooth mesh benefits many IoT systems with its ability to reduce system power consumption, extend communication range, increase scalability, improve network reliability, and optimize device-to-device communication responsiveness.

Watch this webinar to learn more about Bluetooth LE mesh networking and how to get started with development.

Watch on-demand webinar: http://bit.ly/2xiactW

1. Extending Bluetooth® with Mesh Networking

2. Extending Bluetooth® with Mesh Networking

3. 3
BLUETOOTH BR/EDR
Voice and Audio
Streaming
Extending Ubiquitous Bluetooth Connectivity with Mesh Networking
Device to Device
Data Transfer
Beacons and Broadcast
Advertising
Large Device
Networks
BLUETOOTH LOW ENERGY
F O R C O N T I N U O U S S T R E A M I N G F O R S H O RT B U R S T D ATA

4. 4
The Benefits of Mesh Networks
Extend the range of connections from gateways
or mobile devices with multi-hop communication
Increase system scale by supporting 100’s of
devices in a single subnet
Improve system reliability with multipath
messaging or self healing network not dependent
on single nodes or routes
Deliver optimal responsiveness with device to
device communication
Star Network
Mesh Network

5. 5
H O M E & B U I L D I N G
A U T O M A T I O N
Scale system deployment
Support device-to-device
communication
Applications for Mesh Networking
B E A C O N I N G
Simplify beacon management
Deliver location services
Increase beacon service range
L I G H T I N G
Deliver instant response to
switch actions
Provide advanced lighting
control
Integrate functionality
A S S E T T R A C K I N G
Eliminate manual scanning
Determine location in real-time
Simplify beacon deployment
Silicon Labs Confidential5

6. 6
Mesh is a newtopologyfor Bluetooth LE that
enables many-to-many device communications
It helps you create large-scale device networks
where tens or hundreds of nodes are needed
Bluetooth mesh provides government grade, multi-
level securitywith all communications
authenticated, encrypted, and obfuscated
Bluetooth mesh provides a full stack, interoperable
solution, with all layers defined from RF to Mesh
Model application layer
Bluetooth Mesh Networking

7. 7
Relay feature: can relay messages to extend the
range and scale of Bluetooth mesh network. This is
a optional feature.
Low Power feature: allows sleeping and polling of
messages from friend node at known time intervals
from milliseconds up to 4 days.
Friend feature:implements an additional message
cache to support nodes with low power feature
Proxy feature: Enables message proxy between
Bluetooth mesh and GATT devices
Bluetooth Mesh Node Features
ProxyEdgeRelayFriendLow power

8. 8
Unicast, multicast and broadcast: Bluetooth mesh supports
unicast, broadcast and multicast to address everything from
a single node, to a group or a whole network
Multipath: Bluetooth mesh uses a managed flood message
relay that can inherently provide multipath delivery
Managed flooding:
Time To Live (TTL): TTL is used in all Bluetooth mesh
messages to control the number of hops over which a
message will be relayed
Message cache: A message cache is implemented by all
nodes and it is used to prevent recently seen messages
from being transmitted again
Relaying is optional: All nodes do not need to implement
relay feature
Bluetooth Mesh Messaging

9. 9
The act of sending a message is known as Publishing
Nodes are configured to select messages sent to specific
addresses for processing, and this is known as Subscribing
Typically, messages are addressed to group or virtual
addresses
Group and virtual address names will have readily
understood meaning to the end user, making them easy
and intuitive to use
Only the device that is installed or replaced needs to be
configured
Bluetooth Mesh Publish -Subscribe

10. 10
Bluetooth Mesh Security
Security is mandatory in Bluetooth mesh
Bluetooth mesh uses multi-layer security and
network, application and device management have
each have their own security layer
Provisioning: Devices are provisioned using Elliptic
Curve DiffieHellman using P-256 curves
Authentication: All messages are authenticated using
AES-CCM with128-bits. Network and application layer
use separate keys and MICs
Privacy: All messages are encrypted and all PDUs
except for first 8 bits obfuscated
Bluetooth mesh security provides protection against
all known security threats

11. 11
Bluetooth Mesh Application Layer
Bluetooth mesh defines its own application layer called Mesh
Model
Bluetooth mesh model defines:
States: On, Off, level etc.
Messages: Get, Set or Report state
Behavior: Defines what happens when state changes
Defines what messages are sent on state changes
Defines background behavior
Elements
Devices can do multiple things at once i.e. a fan with a light
A light switch with 3 buttons contain 3 switch elements and
a power plug with 6 sockets has 6 elements
Each element has one or more models associated to it
Available models
Foundation: Configuration and Health
Generic:On/Off, Level, Power, Battery, Location, Properties,
Transition time
Sensors:Sensor, Time
Lighting:Light, Lightness, CTL, HSL, xyL, Controller
Vendor specific models
Generic Power
Level Server
Generic Battery
Server
Generic Level
Server
Generic Power
On/Off Server
Generic Transition
Time Server
Generic Sensor
Server
Generic User
Property Server
Generic Location
Server
Generic Admin
Property Server
Generic Sensor
Settings Server
Generic Time
Server
Generic On/Off
Server

12. 12
RELIABILITY
Multipath networking with
no single points of failure
Bluetooth Mesh Summary
SCALABILITY
Supports hundreds of nodes with
industrial level messaging
performance
SECURITY
Provides industrial grade security
for protection against all known
attacks
INTEROPERABILITY
Full stack approach with all layers
specified
Time-tested tools and processes to
ensure multi-vendor
interoperability

13. 13
M U LT I P R OTO C O L S O C S A N D M O D U L E S
A platform of multiprotocol SoC and
modules with differentpricingand features
Easy migration within the portfolio
S TA C K S A N D S D K S
In-house protocol stacks with industry
leading features
SDK and tools for operating systems and
toolchains
M O B I L E A P P L I C AT I O N S
Bluetooth mesh stack for major mobile
phoneplatforms
Mobile phone application for provisioning,
configuration and control
Comprehensive Bluetooth Mesh Solution
BluetoothRF
Advertising
Bearer
ATT
GAP SM
L2CAP
GATT
Bearer
Network
BlutoothLink Layer
Upper Transport
Lower Transport
Access Layers
Mesh Models
GATT
Application

14. 14
Expertise: 15+ years providing commercial mesh
solutions with over 100 million deployed nodes
Flexibility: The widest range of solution offerings
from certified modules to multiprotocol SoCs
Productivity –Patented advanced network analysis,
energy profiling and application configuration
Silicon Labs Market-Leading Mesh Networking Solutions
Bluetooth SIG
associate member
Thread Group
founding member
ZigbeeAlliance
member

15. The Wireless Gecko Portfolio

16. 16
A Multi-Protocol Portfolio
Mighty
Gecko
✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Basic
256 –1024 kB Flash
Up to 19.5 dBm
Sub-GHz + 2.4 GHz
QFN32, QFN48, WLCSP40, BGA125
Blue Gecko ✓ ✓
Basic
128-1024kB Flash
Up to 19.5 dBm
Sub-GHz + 2.4 GHz
QFN32, QFN48, WLCSP40, BGA125
Flex Gecko ✓
Basic
32-1024kB Flash
Up to 19.5 dBm
Sub-GHz + 2.4 GHz
QFN32, QFN48, BGA125
Gecko
MCUs
Advanced
4–2048* kB Flash
USB, Ethernet, CAN
QFP, QFN, BGA, CSP
24 –192 pins

17. 17
The Blue Gecko SoCPortfolio
EFR32BG1 EFR32BG12 EFR32BG13
Bluetooth LE
5.0
(ADV extensions)
5.0
(2M and ADV extensions)
5.0
(2M, Long Range and ADV extensions)
Bluetooth mesh With limitedfeatures Bluetooth Mesh with Bluetooth LE Bluetooth Mesh with Bluetooth LE
Over-the-Air Updates With internal flash
1
With internal flash With internal flash
Max TX power +19 dBm +19 dBm +19 dBm
RX Sensitivity (1M, GFSK) -93 dBm -95 dBm -96 dBm
CPU and Clock Speed Cortex M4 (38.4 MHz) Cortex M4 (38.4 MHz) Cortex M4 (38.4 MHz)
Flash size (kB) 256 1024 512
RAM (kB) 32 256 64
Sleep Current (EM2) 2.5µA (32kB RAM, LFXO) 1.5µA (16kB RAM, LFXO) 1.3µA (16kB RAM, LFXO)
RX Current (1M GFSK) 8.7 mA 10.0 mA 9.5 mA
TX Current (0 dBm) 8.2 mA 8.5 mA 8.5 mA
ActiveCurrent (EM0) ~63 µA/MHz ~70 µA/MHz ~70µA/MHz
Max GPIO 31 65 31
Crypto Acceleration
1 x AES-128/256, ECC,
SHA-1/224/256, PRNG
2x AES-128/256, ECC,
SHA-1/224/256, TRNG
2x AES-128/256, ECC,
SHA-1/224/256, TRNG
Operating Voltage 1.85V–3.6V 1.8V –3.6V 1.8V –3.6V
Max Operating Temp (TA/ TJ)
-40 -+85C
-40 -+125C
-40 -+85C
-40 -+125C
-40 -+85C
-40 -+125C
Packages (mm)
5x5 QFN32, 7x7 QFN48,
3x3 WLCSP
7x7 QFN48,
7x7 BGA125
7x7 QFN48
1) Full OTA with Bluetooth LE with Mesh combination requires external flash

18. 18
EFR32BG13 Blue Gecko –Best Fit for Bluetooth Mesh
32-bit bus
Peripheral Reflex System
Energy Management
Voltage
Regulator
Voltage
Monitor
DC-DC
Converter
Brown-out
Detector
Power-on
Reset
Clock Management
High Freq
Crystal Osc
High Freq
RC Osc
Auxiliary
RC Osc
UL & Low Freq
RC Osc
Low Freq
Crystal Osc
PLFRCO
CPU and Memory
ARM Cortex-M4
w/ FPU + MPU
512 kB Flash ETM
Debug
Interface
64kB RAM LDMA
Controller
Serial Interfaces
3x USARTLow
Energy
UART
2x I2C
Timers and Triggers
3xTimer/
Counter
Low Energy
Timer
LESENSE Watchdog
Pulse CounterProtocol
Timer
RTCC Cryotimer
I/O Ports
External
Interrupt
Up to 31
GPIO
(5V Tol)
PinReset GPIO
Wakeup
EM4H
Hibernate
EM1
Sleep
EM0
Run
EM2
Deep Sleep
EM3
Stop
EM4S
Shutoff
Feature
available
down to
Energy Mode
Analog Modules
ADC 2x Analog
Comparators
IDAC
VDAC &
OPAMP
CapSense
Security
Crypto
AES, ECC, SHA
CRC32
TRNG
Radio
BT 5 (2M, LR)
2.4 GHz
(int.balun)
Sub-GHz
Integrated
PA
Radio
Controller
Packet TraceRadio Crypto

19. 19
EFR32BG13 Feature Highlights
CPU and Memory
Cortex M4F
512kB Flash
64kB RAM
Clocks
38.4 MHz HFXO
PLFRCO
500 ppm accuracy
32kHz LFXO
Alternative to PLFRCO
if more accuracy needed
Energy Management
Voltage regulator and
monitor
DC-DC converter
PoR and BoD
Security
AES-128/256
ECC
CRC
TRNG
SHA-1/224/256
EM4H
Hibernate
EM1
Sleep
EM0
Run
EM2
Deep Sleep
EM3
Stop
EM4S
Shutoff
Feature
available
down to
Energy Mode
Energy Management
Voltage
Regulator
Voltage
Monitor
DC-DC
Converter
Brown-out
Detector
Power-on
Reset
Clock Management
High Freq
Crystal Osc
High Freq
RC Osc
Auxiliary
RC Osc
UL & Low Freq
RC Osc
Low Freq
Crystal Osc
PLFRCO
CPU and Memory
ARM Cortex-M4
w/ FPU + MPU
512 kB Flash ETM
Debug
Interface
64kB RAM LDMA
Controller
Security
Crypto
AES, ECC, SHA
CRC32
TRNG

20. 20
EFR32BG13 Feature Highlights
EM4H
Hibernate
EM1
Sleep
EM0
Run
EM2
Deep Sleep
EM3
Stop
EM4S
Shutoff
Feature
available
down to
Energy ModeSerial interfaces
3x USART
2x I2C
LE UART
I/O Ports
Up to 32 GPIO
Timers and triggers
3x timer or counter
LESENSE
Watchdog
LE and cryotimer
RTCC
Analog Modules
12-b ADC, 1Msps
IDAC
VDAC and OPAMP
2x comparators
Capacitive sense
Radio
Bluetooth 5
<1GHz and 2.4G
Proprietary
Up to +19 dBm TX
-95 dBm RX
(1M, GFSK)
Serial Interfaces
3x USARTLow
Energy
UART
2x I2C
Timers and Triggers
3xTimer/
Counter
Low Energy
Timer
LESENSE Watchdog
Pulse CounterProtocol
Timer
RTCC Cryotimer
I/O Ports
External
Interrupt
Up to 31
GPIO
(5V Tol)
PinReset GPIO
Wakeup
Analog Modules
ADC 2x Analog
Comparators
IDAC
VDAC &
OPAMP
CapSense
Radio
BT 5 (2M, LR)
2.4 GHz
(int.balun)
Sub-GHz
Integrated
PA
Radio
Controller
Packet TraceRadio Crypto

21. 21
Blue Gecko modules’ built-in antenna provide excellent RF performance
and robustness
Our SiP modules withintegrated antenna provide the world’s smallest
PCB footprint
World wide certifications lower the cost and simplify end product
certification
Identical software provides easy migration from modules to SoCs
Blue Gecko Bluetooth Modules
Modules simply hardware design, save certification costs and accelerate time to market by 6 months
Choosing between SoC and module

22. 22
The Blue Gecko Module Portfolio
BGM111 BGM12x and BGM11S
1
BGM13P
2
BGM13S
2
Bluetooth LE 4.2 4.2
5.0
(2M, Long Range and ADV extensions)
5.0
(2M, Long Range and ADV extensions)
Bluetooth mesh Withlimited features Withlimited features Yes Yes
Over-the-Air Updates With internal flash
3
With internal flash
3
With internal flash With internal flash
Max TX power +8 dBm +8 dBm +19 dBm +19 dBm
RX Sensitivity (1M, GFSK) -92 dBm -90 dBm -95 dBm -95 dBm
CPU and Clock Speed Cortex M4 (38.4 MHz) Cortex M4 (38.4 MHz) Cortex M4 (38.4 MHz) Cortex M4 (38.4 MHz)
Flash size (kB) 256 256 512 512
RAM (kB) 32 32 64 64
Sleep Current (EM2) 2.5µA (32kB RAM, LFXO) 2.5µA (32kB RAM, LFXO) 1.4µA (16kB RAM, LFXO) 1.4µA (16kB RAM, LFXO)
RX Current (1M GFSK) 8.7 mA 8.7 mA 9.5 mA 9.5 mA
TX Current (0 dBm) 8.2 mA 8.2 mA 8.5 mA 8.5 mA
ActiveCurrent (EM0) ~63 µA/MHz ~63 µA/MHz ~70µA/MHz ~70µA/MHz
Max GPIO 25 30 25 30
Crypto Acceleration
1x AES-128/256, ECC,
SHA-1/224/256, PRNG
1x AES-128/256, ECC,
SHA-1/224/256, PRNG
2x AES-128/256, ECC,
SHA-1/224/256, TRNG
2x AES-128/256, ECC,
SHA-1/224/256, TRNG
Operating Voltage 1.85V–3.6V 1.8V –3.6V 1.8V –3.6V 1.8V –3.6V
Max Operating Temp (TA/ TJ) -40 -+85C -40 -+85C -40 -+85C -40 -+85C
Package dimensions(mm) 13.9x 15.0 LGA 6.5x 6.5 LGA 13.9x 15.0 LGA
4
6.5x 6.5 LGA
1) BGM11S has RF shield and full FCC modular certification
2) Estiamated availability Q4’17. Subject to changes.
3) Full OTA with Bluetooth LE with Mesh combination requires external flash
4) Pin compatible with BGM111

23. 23
Bluetooth 5 and Mesh Software
Bluetooth LE features
Bluetooth 5 -2M and LE Long Range PHYs
Bluetooth 5 -Advertisement sets and scan event reporting
LE Secure Connections, Dual Topology, Data Length Extensions and Privacy
Simulatanous Central/Peripheral/Advertiser and Scanner
Any standardized or vendor specific GATT services
Bluetooth mesh features
GATT and Mesh bearers
Relay, Edge and Proxy features
Foundation, Generic, Lightness and Vendor models
Provisioning and proxy GATT services
Combined Bluetooth LE and mesh
LE and mesh stacks can be combined or separated
Impacts device capabilities and RAM & Flash requirements
Over-the-Air updates
Full or partial OTA over GATT connections
Secure update with Gecko bootloader
API
Application
Secure Gecko Bootloader
Bluetooth Link Layer
GATT
Mesh
stack
Bootloader
API
Point to PointStar (up to 8) LE dual topology
Master SlaveMaster/Slave
Mesh Beacon
Mesh Core
(bearer, network, transport)
SM
Mesh Model
ATT
GAP
LE
stack
Mesh

24. 24
Bluetooth Development Tools
Simplicity Studio
Eclipse based IDE with code editing, compilation
and debug for Windows, OSX and Linux
Pre-compiled demos, source code and documentation
Value-add tools in Simplicity Studio
Hardware configurator
Energy Profiler
Network Analyzer
Graphical GATT Editor
Compiler support
IAR 7.80.2 (exactly this version)
GCC 4.9.3 (exactly this version)
3rd Party Tools
IAR Embedded Workbench
Bluetooth SIG Developer Studio
Smart Phone Applications
iOS and Android applications and source code

25. 25
Bluetooth Mesh for Smart Phones
Enables
Bluetooth mesh
connectivity for
smart phones
Implements
Bluetooth mesh
stack
Available for
download in
app stores
Source code
available from
Silicon Labs
Needs a screen
capture or a
generic imahge
Current smart phones do not natively support mesh
Needed for provisioning
Needed to communicate with mesh nodes
Silicon Labs provides Bluetooth mesh stack for phones
Does not replace the native Bluetooth stack
Can be integrated as part of any application
Allows the application to communicate with mesh nodes over
GATT proxy
Supports provisioning, configuration and proxy functionality
•Availability
Android application available in Google Play Store
iOS application available early 2018
Application source code & Bluetooth mesh library will be
available separately

26. 26
Bluetooth Wireless Starter Kit (WSTK)
Build large scale Bluetooth mesh test
networks with Blue Gecko WSTKs
Remote Development and Debug
WSTKs can be Ethernet connected
Enables firmware updates over IP
Enables debug over IP
Enables NCP over IP
USB also available
Protocol Capture and Analysis
WSTKs have a Packet Trace Interface and
current measurement hardware
Can be used to capture all Bluetooth
mesh packets the kit sends and receives
Packet Trace is accessible over IP

27. 27
Get Started with Bluetooth Mesh Development
Download the Android app for Bluetooth mesh
Device Provisioning over GATT
Device configuration and grouping over GATT
Mesh node control via a Proxy node
Includes the Silicon Labs Bluetooth mesh stack
Experience our Out-of-Box Demo and start
developing your own Bluetooth mesh applications
Learn more about Bluetooth mesh in our
Bluetooth Learning Center
EFR32BG13 WSTK is the recommended kit
Optimal memory combination with 64/512kB
Support for network analyzer and Ethernet
connectivity
Lighting demos tailored for EFR32BG13 radio
boards
Request Bluetooth mesh SDK beta from Silicon Labs
General availability expected Q4’17

28. S I L A B S . C O M / P R O D U C T S / W I R E L E S S / B L U E T O O T H /B L U E T O O T H-M E S H-I N T R O D U C T I O N
Q&A