What makes a Casambi mesh network so special?

A Bluetooth mesh network is a wireless network in which every device receives signals and passes them on to the next devices. This creates a self-healing, decentralised structure with no central control unit – the foundation for the robust, wireless lighting control we deliver with Casambi.

Conventional wireless network vs. mesh network
In a conventional wireless network, all devices communicate with a single central control unit. If that unit fails or is too far away, nothing works. A Bluetooth mesh network operates in a fundamentally different way – and that is exactly what makes it so reliable for lighting control.

Every device is both transmitter and receiver
In a mesh network, every device – every luminaire, every module, every switch – is an equal node. It doesn't just receive commands; it also passes them on. A message "hops" from node to node until it reaches its destination. This is what's known as a self-organising network: there is no central hub coordinating everything. The technical basis is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) – the most widely used and most energy-efficient wireless technology in modern devices.

What makes a Bluetooth mesh network special:

● Self-healing
If one device fails, the signal automatically finds another route through the remaining nodes. The network keeps working without anyone having to intervene.

● Range that grows with the network
Every additional device extends the coverage. Outdoors, the signal bridges up to 200 metres from one luminaire to the next – and with every additional node, the network reaches further, even across multiple rooms or floors.

● No central point of failure
Because the intelligence is distributed across all devices, there is no single point of failure. With Casambi, the entire network configuration is stored locally and decentrally in the devices themselves – control runs locally over Bluetooth, with no cloud or server required.

● Wireless and retrofit-ready
As no control wiring is needed, a mesh network can be set up even where running new cabling afterwards would be impossible – ideal for renovations and existing buildings.

Mesh in practice: LIGAAIR and Casambi
LIGAAIR has relied on Casambi, the market leader in wireless lighting control, since 2016. During setup, every LIGAAIR module becomes part of the Casambi mesh network and automatically contributes to its range and stability. You control your lights and blinds in the classic way via a wall switch or through the Casambi app – simple, clean and with no central control unit.

Frequently asked questions about Bluetooth mesh networks

- Does a Bluetooth mesh network need a gateway?
No. For on-site control, the mesh network works entirely without a gateway. A gateway is only required if you want to control your lighting remotely over the internet.

- What happens if a device in the mesh network fails?
The network is self-healing: the signal is automatically rerouted through the remaining devices. The other luminaires and switches keep working.

- How secure is a Bluetooth mesh network?
Communication between devices is encrypted from device to device. Because control runs locally and no cloud is required, your data stays within the network itself.

- Does Wi-Fi interfere with the Bluetooth mesh network?
No. Thanks to frequency hopping, Bluetooth Low Energy constantly changes radio channels and automatically avoids occupied frequencies. Wi-Fi, microwaves and other wireless sources in the 2.4 GHz band therefore do not affect the connection.

Related topics:
What is the maximum size of one Casambi network
Is Casambi compatible with Smart Home solutions
Can Casambi networks operate without the app