A Guide to Bluetooth Technology

We have seen them everywhere, their mouths move, their hands swing in wild patterns, but no one seems to be near them, not even a cell phone pressed to their head. What could possibly be going on? What could account for this mystery? The answer, as we all know quite well by now, is that those people are using Bluetooth technology to talk through their phones with only a small piece connected to their ears. Although this use of the technology may seem somewhat ridiculous at times, we must be careful not to judge Bluetooth only in that light alone. The technology allows us to do some truly incredibly things when it comes to communications. However, in order to truly appreciate what Bluetooth means and some of the great uses we can attain from it, we first have to understand a little bit about it.

First of all, Bluetooth technology is not brand new, although it has become more and more common as of late. The technology was actually introduced around the year 2000, although recent drops in prices have made it more accepting to consumers. Bluetooth, when it comes down to it, is nothing more than the repackaging of a very common idea. That idea, of course, is that if we want electronic devices to function, they have to have a way to connect to each other. Anyone who has ever used an Ethernet cable to connect to the internet should be fully aware of this idea. Electronic devices can also communicate to one another through simpler cables, such as a television cable, or communication can be achieved wirelessly (such as a wireless network), and some devices can even communicate with each other by using infrared signals. However, what makes Bluetooth technology so special is the fact that it is both an automatic (meaning that it does not require a separate prompt) and wireless and immediate network free (much like a cellular phone).

An important part of understanding electronic device communication comes with realizing that two devices cannot simply "link up". Before communication can truly occur, the devices must be in sync, and several ideas must be agreed upon. Namely, the devices must decide over which platform they will communicate. Communication can be achieved over a physical platform, by using wires or cables, or it can be done wirelessly. Also, the amount of data to be transferred or communicated must be agreed on as well, as each device must be able to transfer and receive the data. The devices must also have a way to speak to each other. Simply putting a cable between two laptop computers does not enable those computers to speak. The problem is that each device must use a code that can be interpreted by the other device. Herein lies the reason why Bluetooth technology has become so important, it is a powerful answer to the communication problems that can arise between electronic devices.

Before going deeply into Bluetooth though, perhaps it's helpful to understand a few general basics about the technology and what we can come to expect from almost any Bluetooth network. First and foremost, Bluetooth is not a long-range network. In fact, most Bluetooth networks operate under a 100 metre-tonne-second area. This is because Bluetooth is based off of radio frequencies, which are primarily a short-range technology. Bluetooth consumes very little power as compared with other communication technologies, making it the ideal choice for devices such as cellular phones, which have a limited battery and few sources of power. Another thing that makes Bluetooth preferable is the fact that having other devices in the connection area will not interrupt or disturb a Bluetooth connection, it exists as a very secure network.

Now that we have an idea of some of the basics, and can understand a little bit about why Bluetooth technology is so great, it's time to get into how the technology actually works. In the simplest terms possible, Bluetooth works by transmitting power through radio waves. However, these radio waves are of a very low strength, meaning that their range is limited. Bluetooth also uses a frequency of 2.45 gigahertz. This range falls somewhere between the lines of television usage on the low side and satellite usage on the high side. This may sound trivial, but the frequency band is of vital importance to how Bluetooth functions. The band has, by international standards and agreements, been set solely for the use of industrial, medical, or scientific technologies. This is the primary reason that the signals from Bluetooth devices do not interfere with other electronics or signals in the area. As mentioned before, Bluetooth signals send are very low strength. In fact, Bluetooth only sends out signals with a strength of one milliwat. The low power of the signals is another factor that keeps Bluetooth from interfering with other devices. However, these low power signals do have their limitations. Namely, it is difficult and almost unheard of, for a Bluetooth device to operate with a range of more than ten or eleven meters.

Also of great interest in regards to Bluetooth is the way in which two Bluetooth devices will interact with each other. Whenever one device meets another, the two immediately engage in conversation to determine if an interaction or control of one device to the other is necessary. If the devices determine that an interaction or data exchange is necessary, it will be completed automatically, without the aid or help of a person controlling either device. Bluetooth devices create something that is commonly called a "piconet" or PAN. The term refers to a Personal Area Network. The PAN is created by the Bluetooth network and is often in effect for a room or space where the devices must interact with each other.

Bluetooth technology is truly one of the most revolutionary developments to hit technology in a long time. Although Bluetooth technology can still be regarded as being in it's infancy, the technology has a long way to go, and has the potential to do far more than it is already used for. With the proper development and advancement of both Bluetooth technology itself and the devices designed to take advantage of the transmission, perhaps one day the world can be fully changed by Bluetooth technology.