Bluetooth is a low-cost, low-power, short-range radio link for
mobile devices and for WAN/LAN access points. It operates in
the ISM band. The Bluetooth standard was created primarily
to replace serial cables between computers and printers or
other peripherals. Speed and reliability were key considerations.
Bluetooth is capable of both voice and data communications
at speeds up to about 70 Kbps.
Bluetooth technology is an enabling technology for the
Wireless Internet and the mobile user. It can be an Internet
bridge between a mobile device and a wireless access point in
an ad-hoc network, as are other WLAN technologies such as
802.11 or Home RF. However, some features of Bluetooth are
unique to it and not available in other WLAN technologies.
Bluetooth actually creates a Personal Area Network. It is small
enough to be embedded in everyday devices such as headsets
or microphones. It can be embedded in a PDA and automatically
synchronize a computer to a PDA. Bluetooth can also
download a file or picture received on a Wireless Internet
phone to a printer or a PDA or computer.
Applications for Bluetooth wireless technology come from
no only the telecom industry but also from the computer, home
entertainment, automotive, health care, automation, and toys
industries. What good is a wireless Internet session if you must
constantly connect to wired network to print? Bluetooth uses a
low-cost short-range radio link or bridge between Bluetooth
enabled devices. Computers, phones, printers, wireless headsets,
and microphones can all communicate with each other
without wires being dragged about. Bluetooth started as an
idea in 1994 at Ericsson. Today, the Bluetooth SIG boasts
almost 2,500 members with nearly every major communications
company represented.
Bluetooth computer and telecom consumer products will
appear in late 2001 or early 2002. Products in other industry
sectors will become available later in 2002.
The Bluetooth Specification addresses two ranges: short
(around 10 m) and medium (around 100 m). The radio link is
capable of voice or data transmission to a maximum capacity of
720 Kbps per channel. The radio spectrum used is in the unlicensed
ISM band at 2.4 GHz. Modulation is Frequency
Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS).
Because Bluetooth encompasses many applications, there is
no single competitive technology. Infrared is a competitor in some
cases but it requires line of sight, whereas wireless LANs have
much greater range. Perhaps the closest competitor is Home RF
but it too is more a wireless LAN than a personal area network.