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Current sensor networks need to be improved and updated to satisfy new essential requirements of the Internet of Things, where cutting-edge applications will appear. These requirements are: total coverage, zero fails (high performance), scalability and sustainability (hardware and software). We are going to evaluate Bluetooth Low Energy as wireless transmission technology and as the ideal candidate for these improvements, due to its low power consumption, its low cost radio chips and its ability to communicate with users directly, using their smartphones or smartbands. However, this technology is relatively recent, and standard network topologies are not able to fulfil its new requirements. To address these shortcomings, the implementation of other more flexible topologies (as the mesh topology) will be very interesting. After studying it in depth, we have identified certain weaknesses, for example, specific devices are needed to provide network scalability, and the need to choose between high performance or sustainability. In this paper, after presenting the studies carried out on these new technologies, we propose a new packet format and a new BLE mesh topology, with two different configurations: Individual Mesh and Collaborative Mesh. Our results show how this topology improves the scalability, sustainability, coverage and performance.Keywords: bluetooth low energy; mesh topology; Industry 4.0; Collaborative Mesh; Internet of Things (IoT); sensor network Our Previous WorkOur research group at the Albacete Research Institute of Informatics (I3A) [1] has been actively involved in the study and deployment of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) for indoor and outdoor monitoring. Our research work started in 2005 with Wisevine [2], a regional Project with industrial partners. This Project enabled us to introduce this new technology into an important sector in our region: vine growing. We developed a computer-based information system and an operational prototype for capturing and processing data, which allows the data to be easily analysed by the specialists. Twenty two measurements points with three nodes located at three different heights were deployed (66 Mica2 nodes capturing data, see Figure 1). Data collected by the deployed sensors provides farmers with relevant information. This information can be used together with other tools for daily decision-making. Furthermore, the information generated throughout a season or year should prove valuable to improve farm performance.

Industry 4.0 is leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution transforming traditional factories into smart factories governed by the Internet of Things (IoT). In order to assist smart factory employees, this paper introduces OperaBLE, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wearable proposal which is aimed at enhancing working conditions and efficiency in Industry 4.0 scenarios. We have developed two innovative algorithms for OperaBLE focused on power awareness as the key-enabling attribute towards success: Low-Frequency Movement Characterisation Algorithm (LoMoCA) and Adaptive Heart Rate Algorithm (AHRA). Novel experiments have been carried out using OperaBLE to determine its operability, reliability, and lifespan. Results obtained during experimentation demonstrate how OperaBLE empowers human-machine collaboration embedding workers in closed-loop performance and ensuring nonharmful working conditions by means of power-aware algorithms. OperaBLE is due to bring digitalisation into smart factories, playing an essential role in the emerging wearable revolution to arise in the following years towards smart production systems.

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