Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a part of the Bluetooth standard aimed at bringing wireless technology to low-power devices, and it's getting into everything - lightbulbs, robots, personal health and fitness devices, and plenty more. One of the main advantages of BLE is that everybody can integrate those devices into their tools or projects. However, BLE is not the most developer-friendly protocol and these devices most of the time don't come with good documentation. In addition, there are not a lot of good open-source tools, examples, and tutorials on how to use Python with BLE. Especially if one wants to build both sides of the communication. In this talk, I will introduce the concepts and properties used in BLE interactions and look at how we can use the Linux Bluetooth Stack (Bluez) to communicate with other devices. We will look at a simple example and learn along the way about common pitfalls and debugging options while working with BLE and Python. This talk is for everybody that has a basic understanding of Python and wants to have a deeper understanding of how BLE works and how one could use it in a private project.
Slides can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rDkSKriobmW71ZMYU6pqdx7Yal1eUgXm/view?usp=sharing The problem that this talk is addressing is the difficulty of using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) with Python, particularly for those who are new to the protocol. One issue is that BLE is not necessarily beginner-friendly, with a steep learning curve that can be intimidating for those who are just starting out. Additionally, there are not many examples available for creating a BLE server using Python, which makes it difficult for people to learn and understand the process. This is most likely due to the fact that writing a BLE (GATT) server is often only done in professional contexts. Finally, complexity is added as one has to interact with the system Bluetooth stack which makes it more complicated, particularly on Linux where the use of DBus is required. Overall, these challenges can make it difficult for people to effectively use BLE and Python together. The problem of using BLE with Python is relevant to the audience because BLE is a widely-used technology that allows users to add a variety of peripherals to their projects, both personal and professional. Over the years more devices support a configuration or use through BLE. For example, BLE is often used in home automation systems, wearable devices, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. By understanding how to use BLE with Python, the audience can take advantage of the many possibilities that this technology offers and create innovative projects that leverage the capabilities of many different types of BLE devices. In this talk, I will introduce the different technologies that are involved in using BLE with Python, including BLE itself, Bluez (the Linux Bluetooth stack), and DBus (a software system for inter-process communication). This is followed by a showcase of a simple GATT server example using Python, which will demonstrate how to use these technologies effectively. In addition to this, I will explain a possible development process for creating BLE projects with Python, including debugging tools and common pitfalls to avoid. Finally, I will point the audience toward further resources that they can use to continue learning about BLE and Python and to help them get started with their own projects.
Speakers: Bruno Vollmer