Advertising service UUID, SIG or VS ?

[Michal]

Hello,

I have an application that advertise specific data. Data is long enough that I cannot fit my 128bit service UUID. I think of 3 options:

1. Use my service UUID but marking it as `BLE_UUID_TYPE_BLE`
2. Use a BLE SIG service UUID that I dont really offer.
3. Implement some additional bytes in manufacturer data to be able to distinguish my device.

I know that 1. and 2. are not perfect but I wonder if they are at least 'legal'. Does bluetooth standard says something against it?

Regards

[ovrebekk]

Hi Michal

I will have to ask around if 1/2 is explicitly forbidden by the spec, but even if it isn't it's obviously not something that we can recommend ;)

Not only are you misrepresenting your own device as something it is not, but you also run the risk of other devices in the field looking like your devices because they use the same values (legally or otherwise). 

Regarding 3, assuming you have registered your own company ID the the manufacturer data field alone should be enough, since it contains a unique 16-bit company ID. If you don't have this then you would probably need to add some unique data here, yes, or use a unique local name. 

Best regards
Torbjørn

[Michal]

Hi Torbjorn, any update?

[ovrebekk]

Hi Michael

Sorry for the slow response, I was out on travel all last week. 

I don't think the spec itself discusses this, but the Bluetooth SIG clearly does in the following article:
https://www.bluetooth.com/specifications/assigned-numbers/16-bit-uuids-for-members/

In particular, the comment in bold: "BLUETOOTH SIG MEMBERS SHALL USE THE NUMBER ASSIGNED TO YOU BY BLUETOOTH SIG ONCE THE PROCESS IS COMPLETED. DO NOT ASSUME A SPECIFIC NUMBER IS AVAILABLE."

What the article discusses is a program that allows companies to purchase 16-bit UUID's for a $2500 fee, which is a 4th alternative that I forgot to mention earlier. 

By doing this you would get a legal and safe way to use a 16-bit UUID, that is assigned to your company alone, the only drawback being that you have to pay a one time fee. 

Best regards
Torbjørn