Networking —

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless standard used for many purposes including connecting peripheral devices to a system. Bluetooth uses a low-cost, short-range radio link to create a link to replace many of the cords that used to connect devices.

Bluetooth-enabled devices support transmissions distances of up to 10 or so meters using an ad-hoc network design. Bluetooth establishes the link using an RF-based media and does not require a direct line of sight to make a connection. The Bluetooth Standard defines a short RF link capable of voice or data transmission up to a maximum capacity of 720Kb/s per channel.

Bluetooth operates at 2.4 to 2.48GHz and uses a spread spectrum, frequency-hopping technology. The signal hops can hop between 79 frequencies at 1MHz intervals to give a high degree of interference immunity.

As an established technology, Bluetooth has many advantages, but the speed of 720Kbps is limiting. The newest version of Bluetooth, Bluetooth 2.0, will increase overall speed to a data rate of 3Mbps. This speed might still be significantly slower than 802.11b or g, but for an easily configured, cable replacement technology, it is an attractive option.