What Is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a wireless protocol used to exchange information over short distances from fixed devices. This exchange creates a personal area network (PAN). It can connect several different devices at once, reducing problems with synchronization. Bluetooth specifications are licensed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, consisting of telecommunication, consumer electronics, networking and computing companies.
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History
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Sony Ericsson developed the Bluetooth technology in 1994. They were soon joined by IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba. In 1998, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) was formed. The Bluetooth 1.0 specification was released in 1999. In 2000, the first mobile phone, headset and PC card to use Bluetooth technology were released. Bluetooth continues to evolve with all manner of devices adopting technology from MP3 players to digital cameras.
Function
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Bluetooth is used to connect devices, effectively replacing cables. Radio signals transmit data over short distances. Cables that normally carry this data can be eliminated by installing a Bluetooth chip.
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Features
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Bluetooth has a range of about 33 feet. It supports both voice and data communications with a bandwidth of 1MB/second. The communications occur on the unlicensed 2.4GHz ISM (Industrial Scientific Medicine) band. Frequency hopping is used to reduce fading and interference.
Benefits
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Bluetooth devices are completely wireless. The technology is also inexpensive to implement. This results in lower costs for companies and consumers alike. Enabled devices will automatically connect to one another when they are within range. There is no manual connection or setup. Bluetooth is standardized meaning compatibility between devices is high, even when they are different models. Bluetooth is a universal standard for wireless devices. Interference is drastically lowered due to frequency hopping and low power wireless signals. Bluetooth also requires very little energy making it ideal for mobile devices. As many as 7 Bluetooth devices can connect to one another at any one time.
Warning
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Although it has many benefits Bluetooth is subject to eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, message modification and resource appropriation. Bluetooth users must incorporate security measures into their devices. Bluejacking, the sending of an image or message to an unsuspecting user, is another concern. However, it does not remove or alter any personal data and is more an inconvenience than a danger.
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Resources
- Photo Credit sxc.hu
