On the potential of bluetooth low energy technology for vehicular applications

With the increasing number of sensors in modern vehicles, using an intra-vehicular wireless sensor network (IVWSN) is a possible solution for the automotive industry for addressing the potential issues that arise from additional wiring harness. Such a solution could help car manufacturers develop vehicles that have better fuel economy and performance, in addition to supporting new applications. However, which wireless technology should be used for maximizing the benefits of IVWSNs is still an open issue. In this article we propose to use a new wireless technology known as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and outline a new architecture for IVWSN. Based on a comprehensive study that encompasses an example application, it is shown that BLE is an excellent option that can be used in IVWSNs for certain applications mainly due to its good performance and low-power, lowcomplexity, and low-cost attributes.