Bluetooth technology is a low-power, low-cost wireless technology for short-range radio communication between various fixed and/or portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, PDAs, cars, stereo headsets, MP3s, digital cameras, PCs and computer peripherals. Bluetooth also refers to the standard communication protocol (IEEE 802.15.1) specifically designed for this kind of short-range wireless communication.
The core of Bluetooth technology lies in a low-cost 9 mm x 9 mm microchip that functions as a short-range radio link when inserted into an electronic device, making the device Bluetooth-enabled. Wireless communication between various bluetooth-enabled devices takes place via these radio links, instead of via cables as used in normal networking. Since Bluetooth technology uses radio signals, which are omni-directional and can be transmitted through walls and other obstacles, Bluetooth-enabled devices don’t need to be in line of sight or be pointing at each other.
Bluetooth radio modules operate in the open, unlicensed ISM (industrial–scientific–medical) spread-spectrum 2.4 GHz frequency band, divided into 79 channels separated by 1 MHz each. To avoid interference from other signals, the Bluetooth signal hops to a new channel every time it transmits or receives a data packet, making Bluetooth connection robust and secure. The communication range of Bluetooth technology varies from 1 m to 100 m, depending upon the maximum power permitted (1 mW to 100 mW). Because of this channel hopping, there should not be a consistent problem with other devices using the 2.4 Ghz frequency band, such as old cordless phones.
Each Bluetooth-enabled device can simultaneously communicate with up to seven other devices within a single personal area network, called a piconet. Each device can simultaneously belong to several piconets. Each device negotiates with each other via a defined device name so that each device can keep track of who it is communicating with. The device name to use when you are setting up your Bluetooth device is typically cleared stated in the accompanying device documentation.
Bluetooth technology offers built-in security with 128-bit encryption and PIN code authentication. When Bluetooth products identify themselves, they use the PIN code the first time they connect, thereafter staying securely connected.
Practical Applications of Bluetooth Networking
Some of the popular applications of Bluetooth technology are in wireless networking between a mobile phone and a laptop/desktop, between a mobile phone and a hands-free headset, between PCs in a restricted space and between the input and output devices of a PC (e.g., mouse, keyboard, printer). Bluetooth technology can also be used to transfer files, images and MP3 files between mobile phones or between MP3 players/digital cameras and computers.
Limitations of Bluetooth Technology
Short communication range (up to 100 m) is the greatest limitation of Bluetooth technology. Also, the data transfer rates are much lower compared to other wireless communication technologies. Susceptibility to interference from other devices operating in the 2.4 MHz band, notwithstanding adaptive frequency hopping, is another limitation. The Bluetooth technology is still not fully developed, so there is plenty of room for improvement.
Bluetooth-Enabled Devices
The Bluetooth wireless technology specification is available free-of-charge to Bluetooth member companies around the world. Many companies are interested in making their devices Bluetooth-enabled in order to avoid the clutter of wires with seamless connections and offer simultaneous transmission of data and voice as in hands-free talking.
Bluetooth technology is commercially available in a wide range of applications such as mobile phones, automobiles, medical devices, play stations and many more.
By: Jon Arnold
Posts Tagged ‘Frequency Band’
Understanding The Magic of Bluetooth Technology
January 5th, 2010Cell Phone Technology – Industry Buzzwords
December 22nd, 2009
We have all heard the buzzwords that have come into our lives with the expansion of the Wireless industry. But do you know what they mean? It is confusing to say the least so let’s try to clarify some of the terminology related to the technology.
Wireless – refers to telecommunications in which electromagnetic waves carry a signal over part of the communications path.
1G – First Generation, Cellular systems based on analog technology.
2G – Cellular wireless based on digital technology. 2G systems offer increased voice quality and capacity to handle more calls.
3G – Systems designed to increase voice capacity and provide high-speed data. 3G will enable users with high-speed data, advanced global roaming and enhanced multimedia capabilities. CDMA provides the basis for 3G technology, which has been implemented as CDMA2000® and WCDMA (UMTS).
Air card – Aircard® is a registered trademark owned by Sierra Wireless and has become synonymous with a wireless PC card.
Blackberry – Two-way wireless device that allows users to check email and voice mail (via text), and page other users using a wireless network service. Blackberry® users must subscribe to a wireless service that provides data transmission service.
Bluetooth Wireless Technology – is the low-power, short-range radio technology that allows digital electronic devices such as mobile phones, headsets, PDAs, notebook PCs and even cars to “talk” to each other without wires and easily transfer files at high speed.
CDMA – Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA cellular systems utilize a single frequency band for all traffic, differentiating the individual transmissions by assigning them unique codes before transmission.
Cellular – Analog or digital communications in which a subscriber has a wireless connection from a mobile handset to a relatively nearby transmitter. As the cellular telephone user moves from one cell or area of coverage to another, the telephone is effectively passed on to the local cell transmitter.
EDGE – Enhanced Data GSM Environment- a faster version of the Global System for Mobile (GSM) wireless service
GPS – Global Positioning System – a location system based on a constellation of US Department of Defense satellites.
GSM – Global System for Mobile Communication is a digital mobile telephone technology
GPRS – General Packet Radio Service, a packet-based wireless communication service that provides continuous connection to the Internet for mobile phone and computer users.
iDEN – Integrated Digital Enhanced Network, A proprietary technology based on the TDMA standard that allows users to access phone calls, two-radio transmissions, paging and data from one wireless device. Nextel Communications® uses the iDEN® standard as the basis for its networks.
Streaming – an Internet expression for the one-way transmission of video and audio
TDMA – Time Division Multiple Access, a technique for multiplexing multiple users onto a single channel on a single carrier by splitting the carrier into time slots and allocating these on a as-needed basis
UMTS – Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, a broadband, packet-based system offering a consistent set of services to mobile computer and phone users no matter where they are located in the world
WAP – Wireless Application Protocol – a set of communication protocols to standardize the way that wireless devices, such as cellular telephones and radio transceivers, can be used for Internet access
By: Matt Hick