Cross Technology Communication between Wi-Fi and Multiple BLE

What is it about?

This paper introduces WBMC, a novel approach for Wi-Fi-to-BLE multicast communication through Cross Technology Communication (CTC). WBMC enables direct, gateway-free data transmission from a single Wi-Fi device to multiple BLE receivers by emulating BLE’s Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying (GFSK) modulation on overlapping Wi-Fi subcarriers. The proposed method achieves simultaneous delivery of distinct data to multiple BLE devices, preventing channel congestion while enhancing interoperability in the 2.4 GHz ISM band. Implementation and evaluation using GNURadio demonstrate WBMC’s high throughput and potential applicability across various BLE systems, from common applications to LE-Audio.

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Why is it important?

The proposed WBMC (Wi-Fi-to-BLE Multicast Communication) is important because it addresses the growing need for seamless communication between heterogeneous wireless technologies in the congested 2.4 GHz ISM band. By enabling direct, gateway-free multicast transmission from Wi-Fi to multiple BLE devices, WBMC reduces operational costs, enhances device interoperability, and prevents channel congestion. This innovation is particularly valuable in scenarios like smart environments, IoT networks, and large-scale venues, where efficient and scalable communication is critical. Moreover, it opens new possibilities for using existing Wi-Fi infrastructure to support BLE applications, including LE-Audio and real-time data sharing.