Bluetooth Technical Operations

Bluetooth is a high speed, low powered wireless link technology that's designed to connect phones or other portable equipment together with little to no work required by the user.  Unlike infrared, Bluetooth doesn't require line of site positioning to work.

Current prototype circuits are contained on a board that is 0.9 cm square, with a much smaller circuit board being developed. 

When one Bluetooth device comes in contact with another, they will automatically exchange addresses and details of capability.  Then, they can establish a 1 MB link with security that they will use as required.  The protocols involved with handle both data and voice, with a very flexible topography.

How Bluetooth Works

Bluetooth devices will normally operate at 2.4 GHZ  in the license free, globally available ISM radio band.  The advantage to this band includes worldwide availability and compatibility.  A disadvantage to this however, is that the devices must share this  band with other RF emitters.  This includes  automobile security systems, other wireless devices, and other noise sources, such as microwaves.

To overcome this challenge, Bluetooth employs a  fast frequency hopping scheme and therefore uses  shorter packets than other standards within the  ISM band.  This scheme helps to make Bluetooth communication more robust and more secure.

Bluetooth Specifications

Below, you'll find several specifications for the well known Bluetooth:

1.  Throughout the United States and even Europe, the range of frequency is 2,400 - 2,483.5 MHZ, with 79 1-MHz RF (radio frequency) channels.  The  frequency range in Japan is 2,472 to 2,497 MHz with 23 1-MHz RF channels.

2.  A data channel of Bluetooth randomly hops 1,600 times per second between the 79 RF channels.

3.  Each Bluetooth channel is divided into time slots, with each one being 625 microseconds long.

4.  A Bluetooth piconet has one master and up to seven slaves.  The master will transmit in even time slots, while the slaves will transmit in odd time slots.

5.  The data in a single packet can be up to 2,745 bits in length.

Bluetooth Security

These days, all communication technology faces the issue of privacy and identity theft, with Bluetooth being no exception.  Almost everyone knows that email services and networks require security.  What users of Bluetooth need to realize is that Bluetooth also requires security measures as well.

The good news for Bluetooth users is that the  security scares, like most scares, are normally over dramatized and blown entirely out of proportion.  The truth being told, these issues are easy to manage, with various measures already in place to provide security for Bluetooth technology.

It's true that there has been some Bluetooth phones that have been hacked into.  Most devices that are hacked into are normally those that don't have any type of security at all.

According to Bluetooth specialists, in order to hack into a Bluetooth device, the hacker must:

                1.  Force two paired devices to break their connection.

                2.  Steal the packets that are used to  resend the pin.

                3.  Decode the pin.

10 Benefits Of Bluetooth

Below, are 10 benefits and reasons to use Bluetooth  technology.

1.  Wireless

As you probably already know, there are many benefits and advantages to using wireless devices.  Along with improving safety as a result of eliminating wires you don't need, wireless also offers you plenty of other advantages.  When traveling with your laptop  or other wireless devices, you'll no longer have to worry about bringing connection cables.

2.  Bluetooth is actually inexpensive

The technology of Bluetooth is cheap for companies to implement, which results in lower costs for the company.  These savings are then passed from the company on to you.

Bluetooth Versions

Version 1.1 and earlier

Since the technology of Bluetooth was introduced in 1998, several specification versions have been released.  Versions 1.0 and 1.0B had too many issues and problems for manufacturers to develop devices  for Bluetooth.  The main issue was the lack of communication among the devices.

The core specification version 1.1 is the first  successful operating version of Bluetooth.  Version 1.1 corrected a majority of the bugs and problems found in earlier versions.

Version 1.2

Many of the newer Bluetooth devices, such as the  newer cell phones are being sold with the newer Bluetooth version 1.2.  This version offers backward compatability with Bluetooth 1.1, faster transmission speeds, received signal strength, and a host controller interface (HCI) support for 3 wire UART.

Bluetooth Applications

With Bluetooth being very popular with wireless, it's  no wonder there are many applications available for  the technology.  Below, you'll find the applications  for Bluetooth.

1.  Wireless networking between laptops and desktop computers, or desktops that are in a confined space and little bandwidth is needed.

2.  Peripherals such as mice, keyboards, and printers.

3.  Cell phones with Bluetooth technology have been sold in large numbers, as they are able to connect to computers, PDAs (Personal Data Assistant), and various other devices.  The standard also includes the  support for more powerful and longer range devices.

Bluetooth Definition

Bluetooth is a specification for the use of low power radio communications to wireless phones, computers, and other network wireless devices over short distances.  The name Bluetooth is actually borrowed from Harald Bluetooth, a Denmark king more than 1,000 years ago.

The technology of Bluetooth was primarily designed to support simple wireless networking of devices and peripherals, which includes cell phones, PDAs, and wireless headsets.  The wireless signals that are transmitted by Bluetooth cover short distances of up to 30 feet, generally communicating less than 1 MPps (Mega Byte per second).

The networks of Bluetooth feature dynamic topology called PAN or a piconet.  The piconets contain a minumum of two and a maximum of eight peer devices.

The devices will communicate using protocols that are part of the specification. 

Bluetooth In Action

In the United States, Bluetooth gets absolutely no respect.  It is however, becoming more and more common in notebooks, PDAs, and especially cell phones.  Bluetooth will provide wireless users a way to transmit small amounts of data over short distances.

Now, Bluetooth is facing stiff competition from new wireless technology.  Referred to as UWB or Ultra Wideband, it promises data transfer of up  to 480 MB a second - while most current Bluetooth devices transfer data up to 721 KB a second.

For the time being, Bluetooth devices are surely cropping up.  Below, we will look at some of

the accessories offered with Bluetooth technology.

Bluetooth Wireless Networking

Bluetooth technology offers three different types of defined ranges, based on output ranges.  Class 1 devices are the most powerful, as they can have up to 100 mW of power, with a regular antenna  giving them a range of around 130 - 330 feet.

The class 2 devices are lower power, offering up to 2.5 mW of power. A regular antenna will give them a range of around 50 - 100 feet.  Class 3 devices use even less power, up to 1 mW of power to be exact.  With a regular antenna, they will have a range of around 16 - 33 feet.

Even though you may not realize it, Bluetooth wireless technology has never been intended for anything other than short distance types of  communication. With Bluetooth wireless, the short range is actually a benefit.

Using Bluetooth

The amazing technology of Bluetooth presents a great way of exchanging data between two wireless devices. Unlike telephones, there are no wires or messy  leads to worry about.  You can enjoy wireless  communications with short distances of up to thirty feet.

Bluetooth also offers interoperability, meaning that you can use your portable Bluetooth device to connect with existing Bluetooth points.  This way, you won't have to carry a data lead or CDs of drivers around with you everywhere you go.  You can enjoy the best of wireless without having to worry about installing your software.

With today's Bluetooth, you can use your PDA and cell phone to surf the net or check emails as you travel. If you are in the business field, this can be very beneficial, especially if you like to check your email throughout the day.  Bluetooth will enable you to check your email no matter where you are - which is great news for those who like to travel.

Choosing A Bluetooth Headset

Creating a good wireless headset for Bluetooth is actually difficult to do.  The regular wired headsets are easy to design - with ranging styles. 

Bluetooth headsets can never be as small or as light as wired headsets, simply because it needs to include the battery and extra functions. This extra size will impact how the headset mounts on or around your ears.

Comfort

There seems to be two main styles of headsets for Bluetooth.  Some are held into place with a loop around the ear.  These styles are normally more comfortable, although they may be less secure.  The others are held in place by being jammed into your ear - and usually prove to be less comfortable.

Factors to consider

Bluetooth Basics

The technology of Bluetooth wireless is a short  range communications method intended to replace the cables that connect portable or fixed devices while maintaining the highest levels of security.

The key features offered by Bluetooth include low power and low cost.  The specification in Bluetooth defines a uniform structure for a wide range of devices to communicate and connect with one another.

The technology behind Bluetooth has achieved  global satisfaction such as enabled devices, almost everywhere in the world.  Bluetooth devices will connect and communicate without wires through short range and networks known as piconets.

Introduction To Bluetooth

Bluetooth was designed to allow low bandwidth wireless connections to become easy to use so even those who are new to wireless can use them.  Version 1.1 of  Bluetooth describes a low power, short range wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to send data at rates up to 720 kilobits a second.

The specification for Bluetooth provides for different classes of radio that allow transmission ranges of up to 100 meters by boosting the radio power.  The technology of Bluetooth isn't limited to line of  sight transmission since it uses directional waves that are capable of transmitting through many  obstructions.

Connecting Many With Bluetooth

Constantly evolving, the technology of Bluetooth  started off as a basic wireless connection standard but has since then been adapted and proven with many different uses and functions.

A good example is Bluetooth for cell phones.  It enables mobile users to connect to their hands free headset without using wires.  Bluetooth technology will also allow mobile phone users to connect  with their hands free kit as well.

Another handy use of Bluetooth is file sharing.  It allows the sharing of files between two cell phones, between a cell phone and computer, which makes the sharing of files a snap.  If you have a cell phone and computer, you can easily transfer data between the two.

Bluetooth And Infared

 

With new electrical devices being produced every day, the problem of connecting things is becoming more and more complex in nature.  The system that comprises computers and other electronics makes use of varieties of wires, cables, etc. 

These parts will communicate through light beams, lasers, radio signals, and infrared.  The problem however, is the devices and technology is often the connection between each component.  Therefore, most electronic systems aren't used to their full extent due to the problems and imperfections.

To help simplify things, a solution was created - the solution of Bluetooth.  Bluetooth is wireless and automatic, offering users a variety of featuresthat have simplified the art of connection.  Bluetooth has revolutionized the standard methods of connecting things to enabling almost anything to be connected to a single system.

Bluetooth Technology Intro

The technology of Bluetooth is nothing new, but in many respects it can still seem like more of a buzz word rather than an accepted technology.  You may see the ads for Bluetooth enabled devices, although you still may be wondering what it is.

Capabilities

The Bluetooth definition is a wireless technology that is a worldwide specification for a small form factor, low cost solution that will provide link between mobile devices and other electronic  devices.

Similiar to 802.11 b/g wireless and many cordless telephone systems, Bluetooth operates on 2.4 GHz radio signals.  The 2.4 GHz band seems to be a bit crowded, with interferences between the devices a bit hard to avoid.  Telephones are now being offered at the 5.8 GHz frequency band, which will help to remedy this.

The Bluetooth Solution

The technology of Bluetooth will take small area networking to the next level by removing the need for user intervention and help keep transmission power very low to preserve battery power.  Each transmission signal to and from your cellular  phone will use just 1 mw of power, giving you  plenty of space on your battery to talk.

Bluetooth is a networking standard that will work on two levels:

                1.  It will provide agreement at the physical level, as Bluetooth is a radio frequency standard.

                2.  It will provide agreement at the level of protocol, where products will have to agree on when bits are sent, how many are sent, and how the parties in conversation can be sure the message recieved is the same one that was sent.

Bluetooth Operation

The networking standards of Bluetooth will transmit data via low power radio frequency.  Bluetooth communicates on a 2.45 GHz frequency.  This very band of frequency has been set aside by international agreement for the use of industrial and medical devices.

Many devices that you already known and use take advantage of this frequency band.  Garage door openers, baby monitors, and the next generation of mobile phones all use this frequency within the ISM band.  Ensuring that Bluetooth and the other  devices don't interfere with each other is a crucial part of the design process.

One of the ways Bluetooth will avoid interfering with other electronic devices is by sending out  weak signals of around 1 mw.  In comparison, even the most powerful of cell phones can transmit a  signal of 3 watts. 

Bluetooth And Apple

The new Apple powerbook G4 are among the first computers to offer Bluetooth technology 2.0+EDR. The 2.0+EDR technology, which still backwards compatible with 1.0, is up to three times faster than previous versions, offering maximum data rate transfers of up to 3 MBps.  Being the first company to certify a system with 2.0+EDR, Apple continues to make great use of the Bluetooth technology.

Full support In addition to the powerbook G4 portables, there are other Bluetooth enabled computers available from Apple, including the iBook, iMac G5, eMac, and the Power Mac G5.