Bluetooth Technology Explained: Classic and Low Energy Types

The Two Types of Bluetooth

Bluetooth technology, a ubiquitous standard in modern devices, is primarily categorized into two distinct types: Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (LE). These two modes govern how devices communicate wirelessly over short distances.

Foundational Principles of Bluetooth

Bluetooth's core functionality relies on frequency hopping, a technique patented in 1942 by Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil. This method allows transmitters and receivers to jump between seemingly random frequencies together, enabling secure communication. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission later adopted this as a technical standard for secure radio communications, paving the way for technologies like Bluetooth.

Devices communicate using low-power radio waves within the 2.4GHz frequency range, which is reserved for industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) usage. When connecting, devices hop between channels to find the one with the least interference for one-to-one communication. The pairing process involves exchanging device IDs and security keys to establish a secure link.

Evolution of Bluetooth Standards

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG), formed in 1998 by companies including Intel, Nokia, IBM, Ericsson, and Toshiba, established the initial Bluetooth standards. Since its inception, the Bluetooth SIG has released several updates to its short-range radio transmission standard, with the most recent being Bluetooth Core 6.2 in November 2025.