Bluetooth, also known as IEEE 802.15.1, has become a household name and as its implementations have undergone improvements, the wireless technology’s popularity has soared in recent times.
As a radio standard and wireless technology primarily designed for minimal power usage, Bluetooth has a short range, ranging from 1m to 100m, built on relatively cheap transceiver microchips in each device. However, this limited range is set to grow as wireless technology firm Ezurio has developed technology that will allow Bluetooth to operate over 1km.
Bluetooth vs. WiFi
Bluetooth and WiFi networks have proliferated in electronics engineering workplaces across the globe, appearing in technology from PDAs to computers. Bluetooth is different from WiFi because although WiFi is more powerful and covers longer ranges, it needs more expensive equipment and much higher energy consumption.
The market has seen a barrage of Bluetooth-enabled products from laptops, phones, printers and headsets. Bluetooth is ideal for two devices working in close proximity to each other where high bandwidth is not required. For instance, communications specialist CSR has added
multi-microphone configuration for Bluetooth headsets which will bring extremely clear transmit signals in headset environments.
WiFi
More similar than Bluetooth to the traditional Ethernet model, WiFi network elements need to be calibrated to share resources and files. It uses the same radio frequency as Bluetooth, but with a higher power consumption which means a more robust connection.
Although it does require more work to set-up, WiFi is preferable for operating medium-to-large networks because it allows for a faster connection speed, stronger range from the base station and higher security levels than Bluetooth. Antenna manufacturer
Antenova has produced an antenna intended for Bluetooth and WiFi.
Features
Bluetooth was developed in 1994 by two Ericsson employees, Sven Mattisson and Jaap Haartsen. The wireless technology was solidified by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, with the founding members of the group including companies such as Ericsson, Intel, Toshiba and Nokia.
Despite all the advantages of Bluetooth, security experts have warned users to
turn off the Bluetooth function on their property if the wireless technology is not in use. Information on how to hack someone else’s device is readily available on the web and although no wireless network will ever be completely hacker-proof, Bluetooth technology is not the most secure system.
Air interface
The Bluetooth communications protocol works in the ISM band at 2.4-2.4835 GHz. To sidestep any interference coming from other networks using the 2.45 GHz band, Bluetooth splits the band into 79 channels, with each channel 1 MHz wide, and changes channels up to 1600 times per second.
A master Bluetooth device can be connected to up to seven different devices. Wibree became known as Ultra Low Power Bluetooth following Wibree’s inclusion into the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Wibree was originally developed by Nokia as an ultra low power short range wireless network for use in small devices.
The future of Bluetooth
Bluetooth component specialist CSR believes Bluetooth will bite for the last 25 metres of wireless Internet technology and disputes that Bluetooth is under threat from new lower power and higher performance wireless networks.
A new Bluetooth standard has been approved by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. The new standard, Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR, has been developed to be easier to use, be more secure and consume less energy and was approved by the 8,000-member strong group. Also, the new Bluetooth standard has received rave reviews as the process of pairing Bluetooth devices has finally been mastered, battery life has increased five-fold and major players in communications technology such as semiconductor specialist Broadcom and Texas Instruments will have new standard-ready devices available commercially by the end of 2007.
The Bluetooth market has seen continued growth, but it is slowing. Bluetooth had another successful year in 2006 and this success will continue this year, with its further infiltration into the mobile phone market accounting for its achievement. However, market demand for Bluetooth has slowed somewhat and it may suffer from integration tendencies in the marketplace as well as the rise of new wireless networks.
Bluetooth on Electronics Weekly
Bluetooth module by Ezurio reaches over 1km
A Bluetooth component that can operate over a distance of 1km has been designed by wireless solutions provider Ezurio.
CSR adds multi-microphone configuration for Bluetooth headsets
Wireless technology provider CSR, in a partnership with Dynamic Hearing, has developed a multi-microphone configuration for Bluetooth-enabled headsets.
Antenova antenna covers Bluetooth, WiFi, Wibree and Zigbee
Antenna designer Antenova has introduced a short range antenna intended for wireless headset, mobile handset and portable device applications.
Wibree becomes ULP Bluetooth
Wireless network Wibree has been renamed Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth following the system’s addition into the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).
Bluetooth bites for last 25 metres of the wireless Internet
According to Bluetooth technology provider CSR, Bluetooth looks likely to snap up the last 25 metres of the Internet.
Electronics Weekly Trends and Technologies
WiFi - Wireless networks here to stay
The number of WiFi networks is increasing at a significant rate due to the decreasing cost of setting up and maintaining the wireless system.
Future of WiMax promising, despite critics
The popularity of WiMax is apparent in every sector, including the electronics engineering industry, even though a few critics remain.
ZigBee low-power radio networking
Zigbee is a low-power radio networking technology that can support thousands of nodes in dynamic star and mesh networks.
Wibree - Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth
Wibree - which is now known as Ultra Low Power (ULP) Bluetooth - is radio technology for small, button cell battery-operated devices.
Ofcom and the regulation of UK communications
The official watchdog of the British communications sector, Ofcom is an influential and, at times, controversial player in the development of networking technologies.
Further Bluetooth information
To be safe, turn off your Bluetooth
Industry security experts have warned users to switch off the Bluetooth function on their mobile phones and other devices to minimise exposing themselves to security risks.
New Bluetooth standard approved
The Bluetooth Special Interest group has approved the new standard, Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR, which is designed to be user-friendly.
Bluetooth version 2.1 given unanimous approval
The new Bluetooth standard has received a high recommendation from industry insiders.
Bluetooth on Wikipedia
Includes a list of Bluetooth applications, specifications and features as well as a history of the name and logo.
Bluetooth market continues growth, but rate is slowing
The Bluetooth marketplace had a successful 2006, and this trend will continue in 2007 but the popularity of the wireless technology has slowed somewhat due to threats from new networks arising.