BLE Appendix#

This appendix collects glossary and acronym definitions, pointers to examples and official documentation, frequently asked questions, and revision history for the BLE Developer Guide.

Glossary#


Term	Definition
Advertising	Broadcast of PDUs on advertising channels so peers can discover the device or data (legacy or extended)
Attribute	Addressable data element in the GATT server (characteristic value, descriptor, or declaration)
Broadcaster	GAP role that sends advertising events without accepting connections (one-way transmit)
Central	GAP role that initiates connections and typically performs GATT client procedures toward peripherals
Characteristic	GATT data element with a value and properties (read, write, notify, etc.) identified by a UUID
Connection	Established link-layer association between two devices after the connection establishment procedure
Extended advertising	BLE 5.x advertising using primary and secondary channel trains for larger payloads and more sets
Observer	GAP role that receives advertising (including extended/periodic) without connecting as a central
Peripheral	GAP role that accepts connections and often hosts a GATT server
Resolvable private address (RPA)	Privacy address derived from an IRK; rotated to reduce tracking
Service	GATT grouping of characteristics and related attributes under a UUID

Acronyms#


Acronym	Full term	Notes
ATT	Attribute Protocol	Transports GATT PDUs over a connection
BLE	Bluetooth Low Energy	Short-range wireless in the 2.4 GHz band
CBFC	Credit-based flow control	Used with L2CAP connection-oriented channels where applicable
DLE	Data Length Extension	Larger link-layer data PDU payloads (up to 251 octets payload)
GAP	Generic Access Profile	Discovery, linking, and connection-related procedures
GATT	Generic Attribute Profile	Services and characteristics over ATT
IRK	Identity Resolving Key	Used with resolvable private addresses
L2CAP	Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol	Multiplexing above the link layer
LE	Low Energy	Bluetooth LE (as opposed to Classic)
MTU	Maximum Transmission Unit	ATT payload size upper bound (negotiated)
NWP	Network Processor	SiWx917 wireless processor running the stack
PHY	Physical layer	1M, 2M, or LE Coded on supported connections
RCP	Radio Co-Processor	Controller-focused operating mode (see Operating modes)
RPA	Resolvable private address	Privacy address format
SMP	Security Manager Protocol	Pairing, bonding, and encryption setup
SoC	System on Chip	Host and NWP integrated (see Operating modes)
UUID	Universally Unique Identifier	Identifies GATT services and characteristics

Extended Examples#

BLE sample applications are shipped with the WiSeConnect SDK for your target and operating mode (SoC, NCP, RCP). Use your SDK version’s example browser in Simplicity Studio or the examples tree in the Silicon Labs wiseconnect GitHub repository (search for BLE or ble under the SoC or wireless examples for your device family).

Getting started