Make: Bluetooth: Bluetooth LE Projects with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and Smartphones
This book is where your adventures with Bluetooth LE begin. You'll start your journey by getting familiar with your hardware options: Arduino, BLE modules, computers (including Raspberry Pi!), and mobile phones. From there, you'll write code and wire circuits to connect off-the-shelf sensors, and even go all the way to writing your own Bluetooth Services. Along the way you'll look at lightbulbs, locks, and Apple's iBeacon technology, as well as get an understanding of Bluetooth security--both how to beat other people's security, and how to make your hardware secure.
Why Read This Book
You will get a practical, project-driven introduction to Bluetooth Low Energy that takes you from simple LED-and-sensor hacks to writing custom GATT services and smartphone clients. The book emphasizes hands-on examples across Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and mobile platforms so you can quickly build and troubleshoot real BLE devices and understand their security implications.
Who Will Benefit
Hobbyists and embedded engineers with some microcontroller or Raspberry Pi experience who want to add Bluetooth LE connectivity to prototypes, consumer devices, or IoT projects.
Level: Intermediate — Prerequisites: Basic familiarity with Arduino or Raspberry Pi, comfortable with simple C/C++ or Python programming, and a grounding in basic electronics (breadboarding, sensors, power).
Key Takeaways
- Implement BLE peripherals and centrals using Arduino-compatible modules and the Raspberry Pi
- Build and wire sensor and actuator circuits that communicate over Bluetooth LE
- Create and customize GATT services and characteristics for your own devices
- Develop smartphone clients (iOS/Android) to discover, pair with, and control BLE hardware
- Use iBeacon concepts and BLE advertising for proximity-aware projects
- Understand common BLE security issues and apply practical mitigation strategies
Topics Covered
- Introduction to Bluetooth Low Energy: history, use cases, and basic concepts
- Hardware options: Arduino, BLE modules, Raspberry Pi, and smartphones
- Setting up your environment: IDEs, stacks, and diagnostic tools
- BLE fundamentals: GAP, GATT, advertising, and connection workflows
- First projects: LEDs, buttons, and simple sensor reporting
- Working with Arduino and BLE modules: code patterns and wiring
- Using Raspberry Pi as a BLE client and gateway
- Creating custom services and characteristics (GATT design)
- Smartphone integration: building Android and iOS BLE apps
- iBeacon and proximity applications
- BLE security: vulnerabilities, attacks, and hardening devices
- Advanced projects and product ideas
- Appendices: module reference, commands, and troubleshooting tips
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
More hands-on and project-focused than O'Reilly's Getting Started with Bluetooth Low Energy (Townsend et al.), and less protocol-deep but more accessible than Robin Heydon's Bluetooth Low Energy: The Developer's Handbook.
