Bluetooth

"A short-range radio technology aimed at simplifying communications among Internet devices and between devices and the Internet. It also aims to simplify data synchronization between Internet devices and other computers.

 

 

Products with Bluetooth technology must be qualified and pass interoperability testing by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group prior to release. Bluetooth's founding members include Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba."

 

 

Smart Computing

 

 

 

Dictionary:

 

"A technical industry standard allowing portable devices to interconnect with each other and with home and business devices. With a special transceiver chip, handheld personal assistants (HPAs), notebook computers, and cell phones can connect with a short-range wireless connection. To install this simple technology, manufacturers must have their products approved by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group."

 

Encyclopedia:

 

A technology specification that enables short-range communication between wireless devices, including cellular phones, PDAs (personal digital assistants) and handheld computers, and wireless enabled desktop or notebook computers and peripherals. Bluetooth was developed as a joint effort between several wireless and technology companies, including Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Lucent, and Nokia.http://www.bluetooth.com.

 

According to a product specification published by Ericsson, Bluetooth makes possible the purchase of a single, wireless device that lets users make phone calls, synchronize information with their desktop or notebook computers, send and receive faxes, and communicate with other wireless users.

 

This is accomplished by the implantation of a microchip transceiver (combination transmitter and receiver) in each device. The chip operates at a globally available, previously unused frequency band of 2.45GHz. It supports one encrypted data channel and up to three voice channels, simultaneously. Data can be transmitted at a rate of 1Mbps (megabit per second) at a range of up to 10 meters (approximately 395 inches or 33 feet).

 

This chip can be present in stationary devices, such as computers and printers, for data transfer at the ranges described above. It can also be installed in long-range wireless communication devices, such as cellular phones, to create the all-in-one combination described above.

 

Bluetooth technology was first conceived in 1994, when Ericsson investigated the possibility of a low-power, low-cost radio connection between mobile phones and their accessories. It was named after Harald Bluetooth, a Viking king of Denmark between 940 and 981 who was known for his ability to encourage communication between disparate groups of people (he united the pagan and Christian elements of his kingdom).

 

After several years of research, the Bluetooth SIG (special interest group) was formed with leading member of the technology and the telecommunications industries. The purpose of the SIG, originally, was to monitor technical development and ensure that Bluetooth became a global, open standard, thus ensuring both functionality and interoperability between all Bluetooth devices.

 

The first Bluetooth Specification was released in July 1999, and the first Bluetooth devices became widely available in 2000. Today, the SIG continues to work on developing and enhancing the standard (including the increase of data transmission rates). To maintain interoperability but enable the expansion of technology among unrelated products, profiles have been developed that govern how each Bluetooth product operates.

 

Because these profiles are part of the Bluetooth Specification, the devices must be tested against other profiles before they can be Bluetooth certified.

 

Bluetooth has two major competitors:

 

 

• IrDA (Infrared Data Association), a standard for communication between devices via infrared light waves. IrDA is considered less flexible than Bluetooth (it requires a direct line of sight, which Bluetooth does not) and has been plagued by interoperability problems.

 

 

•IEEE 802,11, a standard for wireless LANs (local-area networks). IEEE 802.11, conversely, is considered more flexible (it operates over long distances and supports more simultaneous users) but requires more power and storage capacity and is more expensive to implement. This makes it unsuitable for small mobile devices.

 

 

 

Two other technologies still under development may soon challenge Bluetooth, as well. These are Home RF (radio frequency), another short-wave technology that operates in the same bandwidth range as Bluetooth, and UWB (Ultra-Wideband Radio), a broad- frequency radio technology still under development. Even with these challenges, Bluetooth is expected to make great advances between now and 2003 when it is expected to be widely deployed in products ranging from headsets to desktop PCs.