What Exactly is Bluetooth?

Cell Phones? Yes, Bluetooth is in there. Cars? Yes, Bluetooth is there too. Video game consoles? You betcha. Bluetooth is quickly being integrated into just about every piece of electronic equipment on the plant. From cars, to medical equipment, to computers, to cellphones, Bluetooth is becoming a standard in wireless communication.

Created in 1994 by Sven Mattisson and Jaap Haartson of Ericsson Mobile Platforms, Bluetooth used a frequency hopping, spread spectrum to create a wireless connection with up to seven different devices, allowing for the sharing of data, such as address books, schedules, and other transferable files. Knowing that they would need to have cooperation from other companies to maximize the usage of this new technology, Ericsson branched out to Intel in 1997. Further partnerships were established with 3com, Lucent Technologies, Motorola, and Microsoft, and with those partnerships, the Bluetooh Special Interest Group was formed to help further its reach. It is from this organization that the term Bluetooth was adopted, celebrating the unity of these companies and technologies by naming it after Harald Bluetooth, King of Denmark and Norway, who is known for having united Denmark and Norway during his rule.

As discussed above, Bluetooth operates on a adaptive frequency hopping, spread spectrum, which Wikipedia tells us is a radio signal that jumps across frequencies along the 2.45 GHZ band. By spreading itself, and having the ability to search out unused bands, Bluetooth optimally avoids interference. Because of its short range output, this also makes it extremely difficult to intercept. However, because of its short range output, it is also not a feasible alternative to Wi-Fi in terms of networking.

So where is Bluetooth used? The most common use of Bluetooth is in wireless headsets for cell phones, enabling hands-free usage without the worry of having a dangling cord. More recently, Bluetooth is also used in the wireless communication of PDA's, keyboards, mice, printers, and game systems, enabling the transfer of files, commands, or other data between these devices. For instance, say you were sent a file attachment on your Blackberry, but didn't want to take the time to dock it or connect it to a computer. If you had a Bluetooth enabled printer accessible, you could print the file directly from your Blackberry to the printer.

Bluetooth's short range is not only its biggest strength, in terms of security and interference, but it is also its biggest enemy. Because of its lack of bandwidth, Bluetooth cannot be used for images, and as such, has difficulty transferring photos from cell phones and digital cameras, let alone allow for the creation of a wireless monitor. However, the introduction of UWB, or Ultra-wideband, which operates on a wider bandwidth, is trying to fill that ground. As of this writing, the Bluetooth SIG and those developing UWB are working together to find a common ground that will benefit the usage of both technologies together.

With the continuing development of more and more devices to take advantage of the booming Bluetooth technology, and seemingly limitless possibilities, Bluetooth should be around for quite some time. Let's face it, this is quickly becoming a wireless world afterall.

Sources:
Bluetooth, Wikipedia.com
How Bluetooth Works, howstuffworks.com
What Is Bluetooth, searchmobilecomputing.com
Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum, Wikipedia.com
Ultra-wideband, Wikipedia.com