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Bluetooth
Definition
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1. What is Bluetooth? Bluetooth is a standard wireless technology that lets users make effortless, fast connections between appropriate mobile devices and computers. Bluetooth ensures protection from interference, increases data security, and provides greater wireless range. It is a global standard and is backed by major industry leaders in the telecommunications, computer and consumer electronics. Bluetooth is based on a low-cost, low power, short-range radio link. Bluetooth cuts the cords that used to tie up digital devices. When two Bluetooth equipped devices come within 10 meters range of each other, they can establish a connection together. And because Bluetooth utilizes a radio-based link, it doesn’t require a line-of-sight connection in order to communicate. Bluetooth uses the global availability and unlicensed 2.4 GHz ISM band. As opposed to other 2.4 GHz technologies, Bluetooth is a universal standard. In the future, Bluetooth is likely to be standard in tens of millions of mobile phones, PCs, laptops, and a whole range of other electronic devices. As a result, the market is going to demand new innovative applications, value-added services, end-to-end solutions and much more. The possibilities opened up really are limitless, and because the radio frequency used is globally available, Bluetooth can offer fast and secure access to wireless connectivity all over the world. With potential like that, it’s no wonder that Bluetooth is set to become the fastest adopted technology in history. 2. What is Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)? With the announcement
of the 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) specification,
Bluetooth wireless technology took a bold new step. Adopted for qualification
by the Bluetooth SIG (Special Internet Group)
in November of 2004, this new specification is fully backwards compatible
with previous Bluetooth specification versions. The key new features are: 3. What does “Pairing” mean, and what is a Passkey? Normally, for security reasons, two Bluetooth devices need to be initially paired before they can exchange data. The term pairing (or bonding as it is sometimes referred to) means that two devices are exchanging protected passkeys, enabling a higher level of security. Once the devices have been paired, the information is stored so that you don't have to re-pair these devices a second time. Even though devices are paired, this does not mean that they can necessarily transfer data. To do that, they must also be connected. Once devices are paired and connected, data can be transferred and two-way communication is enabled. In certain instances, it makes sense to override the pairing procedure; for example when exchanging business cards between two mobile phones it may be too cumbersome to pair using a password. For these situations, most devices have advanced settings that allow you to pair using a lower level of security. 4. What is “discoverable mode”, or “visible mode”? For one device to initially find another Bluetooth device, one product must be in discoverable mode, while the other performs a device discovery, or device search. The way you put your product in a discoverable mode varies by device and by manufacturer. Most devices allow a user to configure the default state. Please consult the documentation that came with your Bluetooth device to find specific instructions on device discovery. For security reasons it is recommended that you do not usually leave your devices in a discoverable state. However, there are usage cases where this does make sense – for example, a Bluetooth printer in a shared area would be a good example of a device that should always be in discoverable state. 5. What is a Bluetooth profile, or service? A profile or service is a list of options, features or functionality available for a specific Bluetooth device. Since Bluetooth wireless technology is used for many different types of applications, it is necessary to describe how the different devices and their applications should operate together. For example, profiles or services available for a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone may include Dial-up Networking, PIM Item Transfer, PIM Synchronization, Network Access, and so on. For
devices to work together, it is important that each device shares the
same profile. For example: An
example that is not likely to work together: These are just some examples. When purchasing your Bluetooth device, please keep this concept in mind to ensure that the devices you purchase will work together as expected. Usually the supported profiles or services are listed in the user documentation for the device. 6. What is a Bluetooth stack? A stack is a piece of software that is installed on your computer. It allows Bluetooth devices to be recognized and used. Currently, a Bluetooth stack is required due to the fact that Windows XP and Windows 2000 do not natively support Bluetooth. 7. What is Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS)? Frequency-Hopping
Spread-Spectrum (FHSS) is a spread spectrum
modulation scheme that uses a narrowband carrier that changes frequency
in a pattern known to both transmitter and receiver. Properly synchronized,
they maintain a single logical channel. To an unintended receiver, FHSS
appears as short-duration impulse noise. More simply, the data is broken
down into packets and transmitted to the receiver of other devices over
numerous "hop frequencies" (79 total)
in a pseudo random pattern. Only transmitters and receivers that are synchronized
on the same hop frequency pattern will have access to the transmitted
data. The transmitter switches hop frequencies 1,600 times per second
to assure a high degree of data security. |
| Bluetooth Definition | Physical Characteristics | |
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