Bluetooth standard v4.1: Simulating the Bluetooth low energy data channel selection algorithm

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is gaining notoriety as a low cost and low energy standard for wireless communication in the ISM band. The technology has been adapted in a wide range of applications, including smartphones, medical devices, and electrical household equipment. BLE introduces a simplified channel-hopping algorithm as an alternative to Classic Bluetooth - one that masks unfair usage of available spectrum. This paper details a simulation of BLE´s data channel selection algorithm. The authors describe a pseudo-code for simulation software to calculate selection probability for each data channel. Results demonstrate that data channels in a BLE system are not selected equitably and the algorithm is more inclined to select data channels with indices between 1 and 21. The probability of collision between multiple BLE communicating pairs is found to be higher than that of Classic Bluetooth which results in a reduced maximum achievable aggregate throughput of 3.18 Mbps.