What is Bluetooth?

Although Bluetooth technology is not new (it in fact dates back to 1994), in many way it is still considered by some to be a buzz word rather than an accepted technology. So although you may have seen adverts and information about Bluetooth enabled devices, you still may be wondering what it is.

Bluetooth is a wireless protocol for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks (PANs) or piconets. The technology is designed as a form of communication that uses short-range radiolinks to replace cables between computers and other devices. Bluetooth provides a way to connect and exchange information between devices such as mobile phones, telephones, personal computers, laptops, printers, digital cameras, Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and video game consoles through a secure, globally unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) 2.4 GHz short-range radio frequency bandwidth. Because the devices use a radio communications system, they do not have to be in line of sight of each other; they can even be far apart (up to 100 metres in some cases) if the transmission has sufficient power.

Bluetooth was originally devised as a wireless alternative to RS232 data cables, and can connect several devices, overcoming problems of synchronisation. Each device will communicate with up to 7 other devices at the same time within a single piconet, meaning that every device can also belong to several piconets at the same time. The piconets are dynamically activated as Bluetooth enabled units enter and leave the proximity of radio.

One of Bluetooth's strengths is the ability to handle both data and voice transmissions at the same time. This enables users to enjoy varieties of innovative solutions such as printing and fax capabilities, hands free talking, and other applications.

Bluetooth uses a radio technology called frequency-hopping spread spectrum, which chops up the data being sent and transmits chunks of it on up to 79 frequencies. In its basic mode, the modulation is Gaussian frequency-shift keying (GFSK), achieving a gross data rate of 1 Mb/s. The speed is a fraction of what is offered by wireless standards, so it's obvious that Bluetooth doesn't really pose a threat of superseding the standard Wi-Fi network.

By its nature, Bluetooth is not designed to carry heavy traffic loads, and is therefore not a suitable technology for replacing LAN-, WAN- and Backbone cables. Nor is it suitable in server-based applications. The emphasis in Bluetooth technology is on mobile, re-configurable computerised units that need intermittent contact with each other.