Bluetooth LE
CODEIn the Bridge, not running on a kit.What the codes mean
The interface is in the Bridge. We have no record of it running on a kit.
ble_0 is a Reticulum interface over Bluetooth Low Energy, for short-range routing between a Bridge and a nearby device. It uses the Raspberry Pi's built-in Bluetooth through BlueZ, with no extra hardware.
This is not the node's Bluetooth pipe. That one reaches a satellite modem; this one carries Reticulum packets.
How it works
- The Bridge is a GATT peripheral: it advertises a Reticulum service with one characteristic to write to and one that notifies.
- A Bluetooth LE frame holds about 244 bytes and a Reticulum packet up to 500, so the interface splits packets and puts them back together.
- It costs nothing to use, so the router treats it as a free interface.
It is off unless MESHSAT_BLE_ADAPTER names a Bluetooth adapter.
What we plan to test, and how
The test plan is not written yet. The first proof it needs is simple to state: the interface enabled on a kit, a second Reticulum device in Bluetooth range, and announces crossing the link in both directions.
Not tested yet
- Any run on a kit.
- Any range. The estimates for the Raspberry Pi's Bluetooth are on Radios and range.