![]() These sniffers are usually based on existing development kits, meaning they utilize existing BLE development kits provided by the vendor, which also provides the BLE sniffer firmware. Then they switch to a different RF channel based on a pre-determined pattern in the subsequent connection event. If you recall, when two Bluetooth Low Energy devices are connected, they utilize a frequency hopping mechanism where they exchange packets on a specific RF channel during what’s referred to as a “connection event.” They can sniff a connection by switching to listening on the exact RF channel on which the two communicating BLE devices exchange packets. Obviously, this means it will inevitably miss some packets, but the probability of capturing the missed packets increases the longer the sniffer is running.įor capturing connections, usually, these types of sniffers are only capable of sniffing one connection at a given time. When capturing advertising packets, it continuously switches between scanning the three primary advertising channels (37, 38, and 39) to capture as many advertising packets as possible. These types of BLE sniffers typically can only capture packets sent over one of the RF channels, whether that’s an advertising or connection channel. The way the sniffer accomplishes this primarily depends on its hardware implementation. Connection mode: it captures raw packet data exchanged between two Bluetooth LE devices during a connection (the remaining 37 channels: 0 through 36).Advertising mode: it captures advertising packets (mainly on the primary advertising channels 37, 38, and 39).In general, a BLE sniffer captures packets in two main scenarios: This is especially useful for new features that have just been released in recent versions of the Bluetooth specification. A BLE sniffer is helpful, not just for debugging!Īnother important reason for getting familiar with and using a BLE sniffer is that it can help tremendously in learning how BLE works. ![]() Instead, passively capturing the packets exchanged between the devices will give you a better insight into the issues going on with the communication. ![]() This can be very helpful, especially when you’re interested in debugging communication between devices and without interfering and affecting the communication between these devices.įor example, when two Bluetooth LE devices connect to each other and something is not working correctly, you wouldn’t want to interfere with the communication. Why do we call it “passive”? Because it does not interact with the BLE devices around it and instead simply captures the packets, meaning other BLE devices are unaware of its existence. What is a BLE sniffer? What does a BLE sniffer do?Ī BLE sniffer (aka Bluetooth protocol analyzer) acts as a passive listening device that captures BLE packets sent over the air from various devices within the direct radio range. So, what does a BLE sniffer do? How can it be helpful? What are the different options for BLE sniffers? Those are the exact questions we’ll be addressing in this article. □ In these circumstances, a BLE sniffer can come in pretty handy! ![]() There are many cases where the two communicating BLE devices seem to be doing everything right, but things are just not working right. One of the most crucial tools that every Bluetooth developer should have on hand is a BLE sniffer.
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