How It Works

The basics on how a global Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) connectivity network transmits data from your devices to your custom application.

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How the Terrestrial Network Works

A device beaconing on Hubble's Terrestrial Network broadcasts short advertisements using the BLE specification. The network of scanning gateways is composed of Hubble partners and Hubble customers alike. When a gateway (such as a smartphone or dedicated hardware gateway) detects that advertisement within range, it appends its own location, signal strength, and location accuracy metadata, then forwards the record to Hubble's backend. The result is a timestamped detection event: where your device was seen, when it was seen, and any custom payload transmitted in the advertisement.

Tracked
Device

Beacons on Hubble Network with encrypted payload

BLE Advertisement

Global Coverage

Scanning
Gateway

Network of 100M+ scanners detects advertisements in proximity

Forwarded Packet

Hubble
Backend

Receives encrypted packet with gateway location and timestamp

API / Webhook

Customer
Application

Receives decrypted packet with custom payload, location and timestamp

Detection is probabilistic. The number of captures a device receives depends on scanner density, signal strength, beaconing behavior for your custom device, and platform-specific scanning schedules. Understanding these factors is key to getting the most out of a network built for any Bluetooth capable device.

Check out Terrestrial Network coverage with Network Explorer, and review guidance for device discoverability on the network with Transmission Guidance.