Bluetooth And Infared

Bluetooth And Infared

With new electrical devices being produced every day, the problem of connecting things is becoming more and more complex in nature. The system that comprises computers and other electronics makes use of varieties of wires, cables, etc.

These parts will communicate through light beams, lasers, radio signals, and infrared. The problem however, is the devices and technology is often the connection between each component. Therefore, most electronic systems aren't used to their full extent due to the problems and imperfections.

To help simplify things, a solution was created - the solution of Bluetooth. Bluetooth is wireless and automatic, offering users a variety of features that have simplified the art of connection. Bluetooth has revolutionized the standard methods of connecting things to enabling almost anything to be connected to a single system.

Aside from Bluetooth, there are other ways of connecting wireless devices. One example of such is the IR or infrared. Infrared allows low frequency light waves to transmit signals to another component. This technology is easy to create and the cost of putting the IR device into a system is rather low.

Infrared technology is a one to one process. Due to the limitation, you may only send signals from one device to another, similar to a television set and remote control. You can only transmit signals between the two although not with a seperate system.

Aside from the fact that these two natures of infrared are obstacles to acquiring results, these same qualities have worked in advantage to the connection. Infrared devices need to be lined up directly, meaning too little interference can occur between the transmitters and receivers.

The technology behind Bluetooth works by transmitting signals through low frequency radio signals. The path of communication is working on 2.45 GHz, which is the same frequency band used in ISM devices.

Debra Goh is an internet entrepreneur and a freelance writer. Her blogs are at http://free--downloads.blogspot.com and http://air--purifier.blogspot.com

Choosing A Bluetooth Headset

Choosing A Bluetooth Headset

Creating a good wireless headset for Bluetooth is actually difficult to do. The regular wired headsets are easy to design - with ranging styles.

Bluetooth headsets can never be as small or as light as wired headsets, simply because it needs to include the battery and extra functions. This extra size will impact how the headset mounts on or around your ears.

Comfort There seems to be two main styles of headsets for Bluetooth. Some are held into place with a loop around the ear. These styles are normally more comfortable, although they may be less secure. The others are held in place by being jammed into your ear - and usually prove to be less comfortable.

Factors to consider

Cost The cost is an obvious issue, something that you really need to think about.

Ergonomics

1. Check to see if the device is easy to quickly and conveniently put on your ear then take it off again.

2. Are the control buttons on the headset easy to use?

3. The headset should be comfortable to wear for long phone calls.

4. Can you use it with a pair of glasses?

5. Check to see if you can wear it with either ear.

6. When you aren't wearing it, you'll need to se how you would carry it with you.

7. The weight is important as well, as you don't want something that has the risk of falling off.

Ease of use. 1. The commands and controls should be easy to remember.

2. The volume level should be easy to adjust.

3. The unit should turn on quickly.

4. The manual should be very well written and easy for you to understand.

5. There should be a support number for you to call if you should experience any types of problems.

Features 1. You'll need to know about the battery, the talk time, type, and how to tell when it is going dead or fully charged.

2. How many devices can the unit be paired with?

3. Compatability is also important, as well as the warranty period.

4. Check the sound quality for both sending and receiving audio.

5. What type of range does the headset offer you?

Other important capabilities include voice tags, last number redial, tranfer calls, 3 way calling, link to other phones, call reject, and mute. You'll also want to note if it looks attractive, and if it's too big or too small.

Debra Goh is an internet entrepreneur and a freelance writer. Her blogs are at http://free--downloads.blogspot.com and http://air--purifier.blogspot.com

Bluetooth In Action

Bluetooth In Action

In the United States, Bluetooth gets absolutely no respect. It is however, becoming more and more common in notebooks, PDAs, and especially cell phones. Bluetooth will provide wireless users a way to transmit small amounts of data over short distances.

Now, Bluetooth is facing stiff competition from new wireless technology. Referred to as UWB or Ultra Wideband, it promises data transfer of up to 480 MB a second - while most current Bluetooth devices transfer data up to 721 KB a second.

For the time being, Bluetooth devices are surely cropping up. Below, we will look at some of the accessories offered with Bluetooth technology.

Talking to the dashboard When pairing it with a cell phone, the CCM Blue Warrior car kit becomes a great speaker phone that plugs into the power adapter of your vehicle. The noise cancelling microphone will reduce background noise efficiently, with the large buttons making adjusting the speaker volume a snap. Although the Blue Warrior is far from sexy or sleek, it's very practical.

Tiny tuning box Part MP3 player and part hands free phone, the compact and lightweight Sony HBM-30 is an attractive gadget that lets you accept calls with minimal interruption of your tunes. When you get an incoming call it will automatically pause your music, then you speak into the built in microphone that you can wear around your neck or clip to your clothes.

The pen With Nokia's SU-1B digital pen, you can doodle and make hand written notes in ink on a special pad then transmit them from the pad to your Bluetooth phone. Being an alternative to typing on a cell phone keypad, the pen is very handy, although a pricey tool from MMS fans.

Snapshots If you want to make slide shows with your camera photos, the Nokia SU-2 image viewer will let you disply your pictures on a TV or projector. Simply hook this square gray device to your TV's input with the built in cable, then beam the pictures to the SU-2 from your Bluetooth enabled phone and the photo fest will begin.

This device is a snap to set up and use, although it displays resolutions of up to 640 by 480. If you have a newer phone that takes high resolution photos, you won't be able to use the Nokia SU-2 image viewer.

Keep in mind, the 640 by 480 pixel photos will appear blocky on TV screens, no matter what you do. If your phone can send batches of photos, you can create a slide show - although Nokia claims you can use sequentially beamed shots as well.

Debra Goh is an internet entrepreneur and a freelance writer. Her blogs are at http://free--downloads.blogspot.com and air--purifier.blogspot.com

Bluetooth Technology: Hype Or A Glimpse Into The Future

Although the average consumer has only recently begun to discover the joys of Bluetooth technology, it has been around for quite a while now. The fact that it has been around means that there are quite a few products that are now able to support and utilize this technology and those numbers are growing each year. Currently you can find many Bluetooth supported laptops, cell phones, and PDAs.

The recently discovered technology that Bluetooth offers uses short range radio signals in order to replace wires and cables that were once required to transfer information from one device to another. The most hallowed capabilities of this technology is its use friendly lack of complexity, its ability to hold a true connection without constant interruptions, its lower power consumption, and its affordability. Bluetooth was made to operate in areas where 'noisy' frequencies often prevent other wireless connections to flourish. Bluetooth uses a fast acknowledgement and 'frequency hopping' application in order to maintain a smooth connection.

Bluetooth radio frequencies move at 2.4 GHz, which requires no licensing in order to use. Using this particular frequency allows the avoidance of interruptions from other frequencies and signals. Bluetooth radio also moves much more quickly than other similar systems because it utilizes shorter packets.

History of Bluetooth

Bluetooth can be traced to the King of Denmark from 949 to 981. Harold Bluetooth was famous for his ability to help people communicate with one another more effectively. The characters on the Bluetooth logo come from characters in the runic alphabet. The reference to this particular king is somehow appropriate as Bluetooth technology also accomplishes the often-difficult task of keeping people connected and communicating effectively.

Bluetooth.org defines Bluetooth as a worldwide specification low cost radio solution. This small factor enables the communication of mobile devices with one another.

Bluetooth operates by using 2.4 GHz radio signals that are very similar to those used in many cordless home phones and wireless networking systems. Bluetooth has found a manner in which to limit interference while improving the quality of the transmission because of its heavy reliance on this frequency range. Bluetooth version 1.1 has made leaps and bounds in progress and as a result is not backwards compatible with previous versions.

The maximum rate at which Bluetooth can transfer data is 723 kbps and a range of anywhere from 60 to 120 feet. Bluetooth can be used for a wide variety of applications. Some of the more common current applications include laptops, PDAs, headphones, and printer adapters. Many laptops have Bluetooth adapters built in so that the laptop can easily communicate with other Bluetooth enabled devices. You can also use many USB adaptors in order to communicate with devices that are not graced with a Bluetooth adaptor.

Another great benefit of Bluetooth is the fact that it allows PDAs to easily sync wirelessly as well as to transfer data. Bluetooth is useful in headphones for cell phones in particular to allow hands free, wireless cell phone communication while driving, working, or performing any number of tasks that require the use of your hands.

Many new gadgets are wireless through the technologies that Bluetooth has introduced. A Bluetooth mouse and/or keyboard can be used at a distance of up to 30 feet for those who need to be farther ways from the computer. Bluetooth printer adaptors are particularly useful as they allow multiple users in a network to share printer access without a snake pit of wires to really confuse things.

While Bluetooth is inexpensive to use, the main reason it isn't more widely used is the initial costs required to implement this technology. The initial costs of installing a Bluetooth system are somewhat prohibitive and most companies aren't prepared to make this sort of investment in emerging technology.

Find out more info about bluetooth stereo headsets and how to use bluetooth technology @ http://www.discoverbluetooth.com

How do I use Bluetooth?

The amazing technology of Bluetooth presents a great way of exchanging data between two wireless devices. Unlike telephones, there are no wires or messy leads to worry about. You can enjoy wireless communications with short distances of up to thirty feet.

Bluetooth also offers interoperability, meaning that you can use your portable Bluetooth device to connect with existing Bluetooth points. This way, you won't have to carry a data lead or CDs of drivers around with you everywhere you go. You can enjoy the best of wireless without having to worry about installing your software.

With today's Bluetooth, you can use your PDA and cell phone to surf the net or check emails as you travel. If you are in the business field, this can be very beneficial, especially if you like to check your email throughout the day. Bluetooth will enable you to check your email no matter where you are - which is great news for those who like to travel.

Bluetooth will also enable to you to transfer files as well, such as MP3 and photo to and from your mobile device. Bluetooth dominates the world of short range wireless, enabling you to do more than you may have thought possible.

One of the best things to Bluetooth and something everyone loves is the wireless headset. Bluetooth offers wire free headsets for your cell phone or computer, which is great for those who like to walk around or talk on the phone in the car, without having to worry about your hands getting in the way.

To make things even better, you can use a Bluetooth GPS device for satellite navigation on your PDA, laptop, or mobile. If you travel - this can be really great to have.

For more info, pls click : http://free--cell-phone.blogspot.com

Debra Goh is an internet entrepreneur and a freelance writer. You can visit her blog at http://free--cell-phone.blogspot.com

Key Learning Points Of Bluetooth

Key Learning Points Of Bluetooth

Bluetooth is easily the best in wireless handheld technology. When it comes to learning, Bluetooth can get quite complicated. To help you, you'll find the key learning points of Bluetooth below:

1. Bluetooth is an energy efficient, low overhead communication protocol that's ideal for interdevice communications.

2. Unlike infrared, Bluetooth doesn't require a line of sight.

3. Depending on the implementation, Bluetooth can have a range of up to 100 meters.

4. The specification of Bluetooth consists of a Foundation Profile Document and a Foundation Core Document.

5. The protocol stack for Bluetooth consists of core protocols, cable protocols, and even adapted protocols.

6. The transmitter operates around the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

7. The data channel will change frequency, or hops, 1,600 times in a second, between the 79 allocated channels in the ISM band.

8. Bluetooth utilizes a spread spectrum frequency hopping RF characteristic to ensure that independant networking operates when the other devices are in range.

9. A piconet is formed when one or more devices open up a channel of communication.

10. A piconet can have a master and up to seven slaves.

11. Communication of the interdevice is based on the concepts of channels.

12. All Bluetooth devices are capable of transmitting voice.

13. The channel has a total capacity of 1 MB per second.

14. There are two types of channels with Bluetooth - SCO (Synchronous Connection Oriented) and ACL (Asynchronous Connectionless).

15. The SCO channels are time oriented, and are therefore primarily used for transferring time critical data such as voice.

16. ACL channels are normally used for communicating data.

17. Data contained in a packet can be up to 2,745 bits in length.

18. In a single piconet, there can be up to three SCO links containing 64,000 bits a second each.

19. To avoid collision and timing problems, SCO links are reserved slots that are set up by the master.

20. The masters can support up to three SCO links with either one, two, or three slaves.

21. The slots that aren't reserved for SCO links can be used as ACL links.

22. The LMP (Link Management Protocol) will handle link level security, error corrections, and the establishment of communications links.

23. The LMP packets will have priority over user packets that originate and form the L2CAP layer.

24. The L2CAP layer will ensure an acceptable quality of service.

25. No more than one ACL link can exist at the L2CAP layer.

Debra Goh is an internet entrepreneur and a freelance writer. You can visit her at http://free--cell-phone.blogspot.com

Bluetooth Headsets for Cell Phones

There are several ways that electronic devices may be connected to each other -

? Component cables
? Electrical wires
? Ethernet cables
? WiFi
? Infrared signals

The community of electronic devices that you have is made up of your computers, entertainment systems, telephones, and the various pieces and parts of the systems. Communication can be established between these devices using variety of wires, cables, radio signals and infrared light beams, including a wide range of connectors, plugs and protocols. Bluetooth is another art of establishing connectivity between these devices.

You need a Bluetooth enabled cell phone to have a wireless connection between your cell phone and your head set. For a better understanding of the advancement of technology, Bluetooth is an in-expensive way for different devices to communicate with each other, with the help of a secure, short range radio frequency. With this technology you can achieve up-to seven established connectivity at any one time, including cell phones, headsets, cameras, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, printers, keyboards, handheld computers, and even Bluetooth-capable cars.

While using your mobile in your car, you would ideally have the Bluetooth connecting your headset with your phone, patched through your car's audio system and your onboard navigation screen. Bluetooth establishes a connection between the devices. It has a range of 30 feet and uses the same frequency as wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, but does not reach near the distances. Wi-Fi also requires costlier hardware.

A Bluetooth headset is small and lightweight wireless device, with some models weighing less than 28gms. You can have 5 hours of talk time with this device and as much as 100 hours of stand-by time. The Bluetooth headset allows you to communicate through your cell phone in wireless mode, even if your phone is in a bag, your pocket, in a piece of luggage, or nearby in the room.

With the release of the newer versions of Bluetooth, it is important that you need to check that your Bluetooth headset and other devices are compatible. The previous version had problems like identity snooping and tracking, which has been resolved in the new version. It provides adaptive frequency hopping feature when it comes to crowded frequencies.

In choosing a Bluetooth headset, you should first check if the device is easy to put on and remove, and the comfort in wearing the device. The volume and other controls should be easy to use. It is also important to find out if the battery is replaceable and the number of devices that it can be connected with. You need to ask for the range of model available and look at the specifications. You should also want a clear, well-written, helpful manual for your Bluetooth headset. Bluetooth got its name from a 10th century Danish king who unified Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and it has also some other catchy buzzwords. Bluetooth devices can be secured from eavesdropping and blue-snarfing from hackers, by a code, or placing it in the hidden mode when not in use.

Bluetooth has been designed to work in noisy environment. Here we are talking about electrical interferences which are also known as noises. These noises disrupt communication which you have often come across while having a conversation on your mobile phone. To eliminate such noises, Bluetooth uses frequency hopping technique. When a noise occurs in the frequency that it is operating in, Bluetooth typically hops into another frequency after transmit/receive of the current packet. This is to avoid interference from other signals. A microwave oven, for example, may be a source of interference and in such cases Bluetooth hops faster and uses shorter packets for transmit and receive, limiting the impact of the interference from other devices or electrical appliances.

The advantage of a Bluetooth is that it is a wireless device, which is inexpensive and automatic. There are other methods in establishing the same purpose as a Bluetooth, through wires, infrared communication, etc. Infrared (IR) is a very low frequency device, much lower than what human eye can see and a good example is its use in television remote control. Infrared (IR) has its advantage in having the feature that it needs to be lined up with the receiver in order to communicate, as you find in a television remote control. Even with a room full of IR devices, the one to one transmit and receive work without having any interference problems from any other devices.

Bluetooth uses multi-layer of data encryption and is extremely secure. With its user authentication measures, it is one of the secured communication links. The use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN) and a unique Bluetooth address, one Bluetooth identifies other Bluetooth devices. To further enhance Bluetooth security, data encryption technique could be used. By using frequency hopping, Bluetooth maintains the security aspect by not transmitting in one frequency within the 2.4 GHz band.

Bluetooth uses very low power, which saves the battery and takes small-area networking to the next level by removing the need for user intervention. Your cell phone connected to Bluetooth can receive the map from your GPS device in your car. This is automatically sent to your computer as your Bluetooth picks up a signal from your PC and automatically sends the designated data you requested for. Minutes later, your Bluetooth enabled landline starts to ring instead of your mobile phone. This call to your mobile phone got automatically routed to your landline because the Bluetooth found that you are home. It uses minimal power for each transmission to and from your mobile phone, and your phone battery charge remains virtually unaffected by this activity.

Bluetooth headsets. In 99% of the world the local cellular service standard is called GSM. We use this in the states as well. When combined with a SIM CARD (which usually goes under the battery of the phone) the phone is able to communicate and the SIM CARD also holds the telephone number and memory for pre-paid credit. Rates can be extremely low using this system. For example in 99% of all SIM CARDS incoming calls are free and calls to the states can cost a trifle. Such as, from the UK to the USA 7 cents/minute, from Israel 22 cents, from Australia 27 cents. Yes, USA Dollar cents! There are today even prepaid service providers in the USA offering rates of 10 cents per minute to call anywhere in the US to any type of phone. No contracts, no credit card checks, no bills. Pre-paid means no minimums no contracts, no obligations. You'll need an unlocked GSM tri-band or quadband UNLOCKED phone. Bluetooth products, bluetooth accessories, bluetooth headsets, bluetooth cell phones and headsets, motorola bluetooth, and bluetooth cell phones at http://www.planetomni.com Tel. 925-686-9945

Understanding The Magic of Bluetooth Technology

Bluetooth technology is a low-power, low-cost wireless technology for short-range radio communication between various fixed and/or portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptops, PDAs, cars, stereo headsets, MP3s, digital cameras, PCs and computer peripherals. Bluetooth also refers to the standard communication protocol (IEEE 802.15.1) specifically designed for this kind of short-range wireless communication.

The core of Bluetooth technology lies in a low-cost 9 mm x 9 mm microchip that functions as a short-range radio link when inserted into an electronic device, making the device Bluetooth-enabled. Wireless communication between various bluetooth-enabled devices takes place via these radio links, instead of via cables as used in normal networking. Since Bluetooth technology uses radio signals, which are omni-directional and can be transmitted through walls and other obstacles, Bluetooth-enabled devices don?t need to be in line of sight or be pointing at each other.

Bluetooth radio modules operate in the open, unlicensed ISM (industrial?scientific?medical) spread-spectrum 2.4 GHz frequency band, divided into 79 channels separated by 1 MHz each. To avoid interference from other signals, the Bluetooth signal hops to a new channel every time it transmits or receives a data packet, making Bluetooth connection robust and secure. The communication range of Bluetooth technology varies from 1 m to 100 m, depending upon the maximum power permitted (1 mW to 100 mW). Because of this channel hopping, there should not be a consistent problem with other devices using the 2.4 Ghz frequency band, such as old cordless phones.

Each Bluetooth-enabled device can simultaneously communicate with up to seven other devices within a single personal area network, called a piconet. Each device can simultaneously belong to several piconets. Each device negotiates with each other via a defined device name so that each device can keep track of who it is communicating with. The device name to use when you are setting up your Bluetooth device is typically cleared stated in the accompanying device documentation.

Bluetooth technology offers built-in security with 128-bit encryption and PIN code authentication. When Bluetooth products identify themselves, they use the PIN code the first time they connect, thereafter staying securely connected.

Practical Applications of Bluetooth Networking

Some of the popular applications of Bluetooth technology are in wireless networking between a mobile phone and a laptop/desktop, between a mobile phone and a hands-free headset, between PCs in a restricted space and between the input and output devices of a PC (e.g., mouse, keyboard, printer). Bluetooth technology can also be used to transfer files, images and MP3 files between mobile phones or between MP3 players/digital cameras and computers.

Limitations of Bluetooth Technology

Short communication range (up to 100 m) is the greatest limitation of Bluetooth technology. Also, the data transfer rates are much lower compared to other wireless communication technologies. Susceptibility to interference from other devices operating in the 2.4 MHz band, notwithstanding adaptive frequency hopping, is another limitation. The Bluetooth technology is still not fully developed, so there is plenty of room for improvement.

Bluetooth-Enabled Devices

The Bluetooth wireless technology specification is available free-of-charge to Bluetooth member companies around the world. Many companies are interested in making their devices Bluetooth-enabled in order to avoid the clutter of wires with seamless connections and offer simultaneous transmission of data and voice as in hands-free talking.

Bluetooth technology is commercially available in a wide range of applications such as mobile phones, automobiles, medical devices, play stations and many more.

Jon is a computer engineer who maintains many websites to pass along his knowledge and findings. You can read more about Bluetooth technology and applications at his web site at www.bluetooth-explained.com

A Review of Bluetooth Enabled Cell Phones

With the rate that technology is evolving nowadays, it?s quite easy to be left behind in the current market of electronic products. I experienced this myself when I decided to buy a cell phone. My friend told me that I would be better off if I spend more money for a Bluetooth enabled cell phone instead of the generic model that I was planning to buy.

I couldn?t decide which model I would purchase because I had no idea how different Bluetooth enabled cell phones are from the generic models. A friendly salesclerk at the mall patiently explained to me why they were so special. I found out that the features on a blue tooth enable cell phones would allow me to do a variety of things that would be impossible with standard mobile phones.

Bluetooth enabled cell phones makes it possible to wirelessly transfer e-mails, contact information, and other basic content to someone who have a similar device. If you have special car kit you, can even make and receive hands-free, wireless calls while driving. Doing these this manually with a standard cell phone would be dangerous. Many recent car models already come with the necessary equipment to accommodate blue tooth enabled cell phones and more automobile companies are planning to follow the trend in the following years.

You might think that with these state of the art features, Bluetooth enabled cell phones would be considerably more expensive than the older generic models. If you?re not after very high-end models, you can find that they are actually quite affordable. With the number of cell-phone manufacturer competing for customers, you can be sure that prices of blue tooth enabled cell phones will remain reasonable. Since they are manufactured by world-class companies like Motorola, Sony, and Nokia you also can be sure of getting a high quality product.

Don?t be left behind. You don?t know what you?re missing if you don?t avail of the exciting features that affordable and user-friendly blue tooth enabled cell phones can offer.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Bluetooth Enabled Cell Phones. Visit our site for more helpful information about Bluetooth Enabled Cell Phones and other similar topics.

How Bluetooth Technology Has Changed The Way We Communicate

The advances in technology in the past century have been extraordinary. From simple local communication abilities, to global, the world has been taking great strides in making technology a part of your daily life. The last few years have brought forth some truly unique technology, with the amount of wireless capabilities and products.

Bluetooth technology is by far at the front of the technological train. Bluetooth has changed the way we talk to people on phones from where we work. Some new products from Bluetooth have proved unique in that there are few like them.

Cell phones with bluetooth technology are completely wireless and compatible with your computer, PDA, Mp3 player, and now navigational system in your car. You no longer have to hold a phone and drive; the Bluetooth has allowed the phone to stay in your pocket as the car kit and phone become voice activated. If you would like to call someone you can simply speak the name and the phone will dial. You have the option of an earpiece and microphone or a system routed through your vehicles radio system. Whichever you choose this technology is sure to make talking on the phone much safer if you are driving.

Another interesting new technology with Bluetooth technology is the digital pen. The digital pen works with digital paper, writing just as you would with normal pens. You can simply write in your own handwriting on the digital paper and then place the pen in its home by your computer. The computer will upload the images from the pen right on to your computer. These pens may prove very handy for artists who would like to preserve some of the ideas they have without having to mess with a copier and scanner. The digital pen will also be useful for signature pages, you will not have to print and sign anymore, and you can sign the digital paper and upload on your computer with a touch of a button.

For navigational purposes there is nothing like the new product TomTom. This product has Bluetooth technology to give the most accurate directions available. With satellite navigation, it is currently in use in both Europe and North America. You can speak to the navigational system asking for directions to wherever you are going and TomTom will guide the way. No more time spent driving around lost or skipping the scenic route due to the chances of becoming lost. TomTom is so simple to use even a small child can operate it and get directions.

When you are in the market for new unique technological products Bluetooth has many to choose from. The advancement of wireless services is making life easier and more products accessible to people around the world.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car and truck accessories at http://www.5starshine.com

BlueTooth Technology

Bluetooth is the name given to a new technology standard using short-range radio links, intended to replace the cable(s) connecting portable and fixed electronic devices. The standard defines a uniform structure for a wide range of devices to communicate with each other.

Its important features of Bluetooth are robustness, low complexity, low power and low cost. Bluetooth is considered a wireless PAN technology that offers fast and reliable transmission for both voice and data. Bluetooth offers wireless access to LANs, PSTN, the mobile phone network and the Internet for home or office and other hand held devices.

A complete Bluetooth system will require these elements:

An RF portion for collecting and sending data or information:

A module with a baseband microprocessor for processing function

Memory module

An interface to the electronic device (such as a mobile phone, camera, or PC)

The lower-layer Bluetooth protocols are normally embedded in the baseband module, and the host processor must support the upper-layer protocols (like file transfer). In other words, the RF/baseband solution provides the means to communicate with the host, but need to implement a connection interface, as well as any upper-layer protocols, to use applications supported by the final product.

The higher/upper layers of the Bluetooth technology called as the Bluetooth profiles and these are nothing but a set of protocols. These protocols are optimized for particular applications. In the case of file transfer between two devices, it requires interoperability among devices. Each of the linked devices needs to have similar applications ensures interoperability across a spectrum of devices.

The Bluetooth stack: It has the following components:

RF portion for reception and transmission

Baseband portion with micro controller

Link control unit

Link manager to support lower-layer protocols

Interface to the host device

Host processor to support upper-layer protocols

L2CAP to support upper-layer protocols

The radio frequency (RF) portion provides the digital signal-processing (DSP) component of the system, and the baseband micro controller processes these signals. The link controller handles all the baseband functions and supports the link manager. It sends and receives data, identifies the sending device, performs authentication, and determines the type of frame to use for sending a transmissions. The link controller also directs how devices listen for transmissions from other devices and can move devices into sleep state in order to save power.

The link manager, located on top of the link controller, controls setup, authentication, link configuration, and other low-level protocols. Together, the baseband and the link manager establish connections for the network.

The host controller interface (HCI) communicates the lower-layer protocols to the host device(Like mobile phone, hand held PC etc).The host contains a processor.

L2CAP: it supports the upper-layer protocols and communicates with the lower layers. The Higher/upper-layer protocols consist of service-specific applications that must be integrated into the host application as explained above. RFCOMM protocol, which allows for the emulation of serial ports over the L2CAP, which is also an important part of Bluetooth.

The Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) gives the required services and the properties and characteristic of the service that a particular Bluetooth device is made for.

The ACL Link: Bluetooth uses five logical channels to support transferring of information between devices:

Core Protocols in Bluetooth:

Baseband: The Baseband and Link Control layer enables the physical RF link between Bluetooth forming a piconet. It provides two different kind of physical links with their corresponding baseband packets, Synchronous Connection-Oriented and Asynchronous Connectionless which can be transmitted in a multiplexing manner on the same RF link.Asynchronous Connectionless (ACL) packets are used for the transmission of data only while Synchronous Connection-Oriented can contain either audio or a combination of audio and information.

Link Manager Protocol: The link manager protocol is responsible for link set-up between Bluetooth devices. This includes setting up of security functions like authentication and encryption by generating, exchanging and checking of link and encryption keys and the control, negotiation of baseband packet sizes and duty cycles of the Bluetooth radio device, and the receiving device on the other end.

Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol: The Bluetooth logical link control and adaptation protocol (L2CAP) adapts upper layer protocols over the baseband. It can be thought to work in parallel with LMP in difference that L2CAP provides services to the upper layer when the payload data is never sent at LMP messages.

Service Discovery Protocol: Using SDP, device information, services and the characteristics of the services can be queried and after that, a connection between two or more Bluetooth devices can be established.

Telephony and Cable Replacement Protocol:

Telephony Control protocol: Binary (TCS Binary or TCS BIN), a bit oriented protocol, defines the call control signaling for the establishment of speech and data calls between Bluetooth devices.

RFCOMM:It is a serial line emulation protocol and is based on ETSI 07.10 ( European Telecommunications Standardization Institute ) specification. This protocol emulates RS-232 control and data signals over Bluetooth baseband, providing both transport capabilities for upper level services that use serial line as transport mechanism.

Adopted Protocols:

PPP:PPP is the IETF Point-to-Point Protocol (Internet Engineering Task Force, IETF Directory List of RFCs) and PPP-Networking is the means of taking IP packets to/from the PPP layer and placing them onto the LAN.

TCP/UDP/IP: TCP/IP/PPP is used for the all Internet Bridge usage scenarios in Bluetooth 1.0 and for OBEX in future versions. UDP/IP/PPP is also available as transport for WAP.

OBEX Protocol: IrOBEX (Short name is OBEX) is a session protocol developed by the Infrared Data Association (IrDA) to exchange data in a simple and automatic way.

Advantages:

Using peer-to-peer connectivity, Bluetooth technology simplifies personal area wireless connections, enabling all digital devices to communicate automaticaly. Bluetooth technology also provides fast, secure voice and data transmissions. The range for connectivity is less than 10 meters, and line of sight is not required. The Bluetooth radio unit can functions even in noisy radio environments, ensuring audible voice transmissions in severe conditions. It can protect data by using error-correction methods and provides a high transmission rate. It is possible encryption and authentication for privacy in the transmitted data.

In Bluetooth ad hoc networking enables personal devices to automatically exchange information and synchronize with each other.

Jith is an Electrical and Electronic Engineer by profession from Southern india. he has good experience in sensors, Data acquisition systems, communication protocols etc, and can be contact through crsjith@gmail.com

A Brief Introduction To Bluetooth

Bluetooth was designed to allow low bandwidth wireless connections to become easy to use so even those who are new to wireless can use them. Version one.One of Bluetooth describes a low power, short range wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to send data at rates up to 720 kilobits a second.

Bluetooth Spec

The specification for Bluetooth supplies for different classes of radio that allow transmission ranges of up to 100 meters by boosting the radio power. The technology of Bluetooth isn't limited to line of sight transmission since it uses directional waves that are capable of transmitting through many obstructions.

Industry Standard

Bluetooth is an industry standard communication of wireless, meaning that it enables the connection of other devices as well, such as cell phones, computers, digital cameras, & other types of electronic devices. The specification of Bluetooth defines a radio system and a "stack" of protocol layers and profiles. The highest layer is the application layer, while the lowest layer is the radio.

The wireless technology of Bluetooth is positioned to revolutionize the personal connectivity market by providing freedom from inconvenient fixed type lines.

The specification for Bluetooth eliminates the need for cables by providing a small form factor, low cost wireless solution that will link computers, cell phones, and other electronics. Bluetooth also allows users to connect many ranges of devices fast and easily and expands communications capabilities as well.

The size of the Bluetooth radio is remarkable, as a Bluetooth radio can be built into 1 or two very small microchips then integrated into any electronic device where wireless operations would be an advantage.

Bluetooth also offers a robust link, which ensures that normal operating circumstances are not interrupted by interference from other signals that are operating in the same frequency band.

Also known for its worldwide operation, Bluetooth radio operates in the 2.four GHz frequency band, which is license free and reachable to any type of radio system in the world. No matter where you are in the world, you count on Bluetooth to work.

Security is also important. Offering advanced security mechanisms, Bluetooth ensures a high level of security. Therefore, authentification will prevent unauthorized acess to important data and make it very difficult to listen in.

Bluetooth also boasts power optimization. The radio is power friendly and the software for Bluetooth is very configurable, limiting the power consumption of equipment. The radio itself only consumes a small amount of power from a cellular phone.

Oliver Dvorak has worked with Bluetooth technology since it's inception, and is an expert in many kinds of Bluetooth devices. He runs a small information site about the subject at bluetooth.littletips.net. It includes a Bluetooth glossary

Super Hot Bluetooth Accessories That You Must Have Now

Once a person has Bluetooth technology integrated into their home and office, they will want to invest in some accessories. These accessories go far beyond cell phone skins and ring tones. These accessories are advanced little gadgets that can make using this technology even easier and faster. Wireless technology is the wave of the future. Finding ways to adapt it and make it fit into one?s lifestyle is not that difficult. Chances are, Bluetooth technology was already being used before people realized it. If a person has used a wireless interest connection at home, at the local coffee shop or bookstore, they are taking advantage of this technology. Even though it has gone far beyond simple wireless computer connection, to many people, this is all they know. This technology has been around for years now.

But for those who use this type of technology often, Bluetooth has made their lives a little simpler. Some of the most popular accessories are car kits. Many newer model cars come with built in wireless connection. This is because many new cars come with navigation systems, which are also wire less. This means that phone calls can be made even in the most mountainous of areas. For those who travel by car often, this is the technology to invest in. With hands free headsets that work on voice activation, a person can make a phone call without taking their hands off the steering wheel. In some new cars the caller ID is flashed in the rearview mirror. One can ask for a phone menu and it will pop up with all of the person?s contact numbers. These can be pre-programmed into the phone and used in the car.

For those who want wireless technology in their car, but who can?t afford to buy a new car, car kits have been created. By rewiring the electrical system in any car, wireless technology can be installed. A car kit comes with the wiring, headset, and other accessories that make driving safer. These kits are a lot less than buying a new car, but can still be expensive. Car kits are available in most automotive stores, online, or at car dealerships. Upgrading to a wireless car environment is worth the investment for those who spend a lot of time driving, for those who want to drive safely, and for emergency usage. It is nice to know that the phone will always work even out in the middle of nowhere. Having a flat tire and worrying about whom to call is a thing of the past.

Other accessories include wireless headsets for the home, a wireless mouse, servers, PDA?s and modems. Wireless technology has changed the way people think about home offices. All office equipment can be connected to one network without all the wires and extra outlets. Being able to run everything all the time is a great luxury that will come in handy. A wireless mouse can free up space and make drawing and other intricate usage easier. For graphic designers, a wireless mouse can save the day. Being able to point the mouse in the exact spot saves time and money. PDA?s can now be used to check e-mail, fax, print, send images, and make phone calls without having to switch networks or physically connect to a network. This has really improved the working world. A person can make a phone call to anyone or send them a fax that will get there and in time.

Being able to connect to the Internet quickly and still be able to send a fax or print something at the same time is achievable with Bluetooth technology. Multi-tasking has never been easier for those who work from home as well as those who work in an office. Businesses save lots of money each year by utilizing this equipment. The accessories are small and most would go unnoticed. The accessories are not ugly eyesores like wires and extra cable used to be. Too many wires are a safety hazard that has all but disappeared. These accessories make using Bluetooth technology even better. Saving time and money is everyone?s goal. Bluetooth technology makes this goal a little easier to reach.

Bluetooth wireless technology can work anywhere and everywhere. See what your Bluetooth enabled devices can do whether you are at home, at work, at play, or in motion. Visit us for the latest bluetooth headset

What is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth technology specifies a two-way, short-range radio link that enables communication between PCs, mobile phones, PDAs, and other computing, electronic, and home theatre equipment. With Bluetooth, you can easily synchronize contact or calendar data between a PDA and laptop, talk on a hands-free phone, or print without cables. It is a cable replacement technology like infrared, but offers many advantages over infrared.

The Bluetooth specification focuses on keeping costs low, power consumption minimal, and the size small. Its low power consumption means it can be used in battery-powered devices. Bluetooth offers faster data rates and greater transmission distances compared with infrared and there are no line-of-site restrictions. It operates at the 2.4 GHz radio frequency, ensuring worldwide operability.

History

Bluetooth is named after a 10th century Danish king, Harald Blatand (Harld Bluetooth) who was known for uniting warring groups in current-day Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. It was originally developed by Ericsson, but is now managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).

The Bluetooth SIG is an industry group with members from the telecommunications, computing, and chip manufacturing industries. To date over 2000 companies are members. The Bluetooth SIG oversees a qualification program to ensure compliance with the standard and interoperability with other Bluetooth devices. Any device bearing the Bluetooth logo has successfully completed interoperability testing.

Technical Details

Speed: The gross data rate supported by Bluetooth is 1 Mbps. Actual data rates are 432 kbps for full-duplex and 721 kbps for asymmetric transmission.

Frequency: Bluetooth uses the unlicensed ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band at 2.4 GHz. In most countries, this band is available. In a few countries it is reserved for military use, but even these countries are moving to make the band available for general use. Because Bluetooth shares the same frequency range as 802.11b WLAN products, these two technologies cannot operate in the same space under some conditions.

Security: Bluetooth is designed to be as secure as wire using authentication and 128-bit encryption. Applications can also build their own security on top of the Bluetooth connection.

Transmission distance: Bluetooth?s typical range is up to 10m. The range depends on the radio power class used. A class 2 radio has a typical range of 10m. More powerful classes support longer ranges and have higher output powers. Most devices use a class 2 radio and mobile devices, like mobile phones, where low power consumption is crucial, can only use a class 2 radio.

Architecture: With Bluetooth, up to 8 devices can be connected simultaneously. A piconet is the term for a collection of Bluetooth devices connected in an ad hoc fashion. All devices are peer units, but one device acts as a master and the other slaves for the duration of the piconet connection. Each piconet can support up to 3 full-duplex voice devices. Within a 10m area, there can be up to 10 piconets.

Applications

Bluetooth is becoming the preferred wireless technology in the WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Network). Personal applications include:

- Users can connect PCs to transfer files.
- Workers can collaborate on the same document using Microsoft NetMeeting.
- Users can connect to a printer without cables.
- Users can synchronize data between a handheld PDA and laptop.
- Users can listen to music via a wireless headset.
- Users can talk on their mobile phone with a wireless headset.
- Users can connect their laptops to the internet using their mobile phone?s GPRS or UMTS network.

Rod Morris is the founder of Business Mobile - http://www.businessmobile.com - a leading business travel and technology website.

Wibree vs. Bluetooth

During October 2006, several tech companies, mainly Nokia, have announced that they will be launching new wireless networking technology called Wibree. However, Wibree will not be related to current Wi-Fi technologies, due to the fact that it will not have the range and bandwidth that Wi-Fi has. Instead, Wibree capacities will be more comparable to Bluetooth, with a range of approximately 30 feet (10m) and similar bandwidth as Bluetooth (1Mbps).

The advantage of Wibree over Bluetooth is that it is a lot more power efficient, which makes it ideal for use in smaller and less costly devices than the ones currently using Bluetooth. The immediate uses once the standard is approved is to connect peripherals, like keyboards, to computers, but its lows cost may make it applicable to smaller devices such as toys, wrist watches, or sports gear.

The main features of Wibree are:

- Ultra low power consumption
- Ultra low cost
- Reduced size for human interface devices (HID)
- Global interoperability

Additionally, Wibree can be implemented in both a stand-alone chip or dual-mode chip that can include both Bluetooth and Wibree.

Companies are now submitting Wibree through a standardization process in order to obtain wider acceptance and, once completed, hopefully schedule to launch it sometime in 2007.  Alex Martin has a Masters Degree in Information Systems Management and is a consultant for several major Telecom companies worldwide. He is also the administrator of http://www.techtelecoms.com which highlights telephony and internet access news, services, and products.

Bluetooth GPS Receiver Review

This is a tiny bluetooth GPS receiver which I bought from Mobile Fun Ltd, I bought this to connect to my O2 XDA 2i PDA and it cost around ?40. I was intially looking on google for cheap GPS receivers and this came up as the cheapest. I thought at that price they'll be a catch, and the catch usually being poor performance, but I was pleasantly surprised! This thing really does work, and works well!

After searching for initial reviews on this device I came up with very little other than the reviews from Mobile Fun Ltd, which I was reluctant to trust for fear of them being somewhat biased. I thought for ?40 I'll take a chance and so bought it, all credit to Mobile Fun the receiver arrived the very next morning. Upon opening the box I was a little disappointed, all the there was by means of instructions was a small sheet of paper that had been loosely translated from Japanese to English by a dyslexic toddler. You can download the user manual from here and the Tomtom pairing manual from here. After following these instructions you will have it set up in no time. Another thing I noticed was that there is no manufaturer's name or marks anywhere on the device or the packaging, which makes searching for support quite difficult.

A nice touch with this little device is that it is supplied with a battery that is common to a lot of Nokia phones (3.7V 850mAh Li-polymer battery, BL-5C), a quick search on ebay means that you can get replacement batteries for these receivers for about ?4 which is good to know should you need one.

What's In The Box?

Bluetooth GPS Receiver x1
12v In Car Adapter (USB) x1
Basic Instructions x1
Battery x1
USB Charging Cable x1

Installation

Provided you follow the limited instructions for pairing with your device, and the Tomtom setup instructions, you should be up and running in less than 5 minutes. I have only charged the receiver once since I bought it about 2 months ago, the battery just seems to last forever! The supplied in car charger and USB cable means that the receiver can be charged on the move from a 12v source and can also be charged from any PC or laptop. From cold start up the receiver aquires a usuable GPS signal exremely quickly, quicker than most of the really expensive GPS receivers that I've come in contact with. The device is extremely small and can easily fit into any space in your car, or even your pocket if you're using it for walking or cycling.

One small problem I did have is that when using it with my XDA 2i the Tomtom software would often freeze and cause me to stop the car, reboot my phone, then carry on my journey. At first I thought this was the result of the XDA losing its connection with the bluetooth receiver and hence confirming my fears about the price of this product. It quickly became apparent that this was not the case and it was in fact an issue with my PDA and the Tomtom software.

I quickly discovered a workaround for this issue between the Tomtom software and my XDA that enables the whole system to work flawlessly. I shall write a 'how to' on this workaround shortly as I'm sure many other XDA 2i users share the same problem.

I do know that there is a known issue when using any bluetooth GPS receivers with the O2 XDA 2 (note not XDA 2i) due to the bluetooth stack settings that are shipped with the phone, please be aware of this before buying this device as you are sure to encounter problems.

Key Features

Compatible with TomTom, Navicore, and all major GPS software packages.
12 parallel satellite-tracking channels for fast acquisition and reacquisition.
Provides superior navigation performance in city environments.
Built-in rechargeable Lithium-polymer battery provides more than 10 hours of constant use.
Unit can be charged with the included car charger while still in use.
Mini-USB charger compatiblty, charge not only the Bluetooth GPS Receiver but also compatible PDAs & Smart Phones with the same charger.
3 colours LED to show the status of Bluetooth/GPS/Power activities of this device.

Specifications

GPS receiver: L1, C/A code, 12 channels
Tracking sensitivity: ?152dBm (average) or better
Acquisition sensitivity: ?139dBm (average) or better
TTFF (Time to First Fix): Cold Start: 50s (average) / 60s (95% possibility)
Warm Start: 35s (average) / 40s (95% possibility)
Hot Start: 2s (minimum) / 6s (95% possibility)
Positioning accuracy: Standard Positioning Service (SPS), WAAS (optional) 2DRMS: approx. 5m
Measurement data output: Update time: 1 second
NMEA output protocol: V.3.01
Baud rate: 38400 bps (8-N-1)
Datum: WGS-84
Type: GGA, GSA, GSV, RMC
Power consumption: 75mA (average)
Bluetooth: Bluetooth version 1.2 compliant
Class 2 operation (up to 10 metre range)
Serial Port Profile (SPP)
Output terminal: Type B Mini-USB (TTL Level)
Antenna Type: Built in Patch Antenna
Battery: 3.7V 850mAh Li-polymer battery, built-in charger
LED: Power (red), GPS (green), Bluetooth (blue)
Dimension: 64(L) x 39(W) x18.5(H) mm
Operating temperature: -20?C ~ +60?C
Storage temperature: -20?C ~ +60?C; Battery: -20?C ~ +45?C

Conclusion

A great little device that performs well beyond its price range. Check if there is any known issues with your device and bluetooth GPS receivers before purchase as this will save you a lot of headaches. The only thing that lets this product down is a lack of documentation and online support, other than this well worth the buy!

johnsreviews rating: 8/10

For more reviews, how to's, technical help, go to www.johnsreviews.comJohn

www.johnsreviews.com

Bluetooth GPS vs CF GPS

For some people there is a debate over which to choose a Bluetooth gps receiver or a compact flash gps receiver. I have used both so I am writing from experience. There seem to be quite a few advantages a Bluetooth gps receiver has over a cf gps receiver.

The main advantage would be versatility, you can use a Bluetooth gps receiver with a Bluetooth pda as well as a compatible bluetooth mobile phone whereas with a cf gps receiver you are limited to only a compatible pda as mobile phones usually don't have a cf slot.

Another advantage is with regards to battery life, some bluetooth gps receivers have exceptional battery life lasting up to 26 hours, some mobile phones also have a long life, although a pda won't last anywhere near that, when using a cf gps receiver the pda battery is usually depleted faster as the it has to also power the cf receiver since the cf receiver can't work on its own

The third consideration is convenience, one can find some new gps receivers that are extremely small, the holux gpslim 236 comes to mind, because of their size and sensitivity you can stick them in your pocket and still get a very good signal so you don't have anything sticking out of the pda as is the case with a cf gps receiver.

Another thing to consider is that a lot of newer pdas seem to be loosing the compact flash interface, a good example is the fujitsu siemens loox 720, it has being rumoured that the loox 720 replacement won't be including a cf interface. My conclusion would be it seems that manufacturers don't consider the cf interface that important to include in newer pdas, kind of like being phased out so it might not be a good idea to invest in cf devices

My final argument would be that when it comes to using a gps receiver for driving, it is easier to position a bluetooth gps receiver in a convenient position where it can receive a better signal than with a cf gps receiver because since the cf gps receiver is fixed to the pda, you are limited by how much you can move the pda around and still have a good view of the pda screen.

Based on all these facts I would consider a bluetooth gps receiver a better choice to a cf gps receiver.

Francis Ononye writes about bluetooth gps receivers at http://www.bluetoothgpstips.com

What Is Bluetooth Technology And Do I Want It In My Car?

The most popular technology in recent years would have to be Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a type of wireless communication allowing you to connect to Internet, phones, cars, and satellite without the vast array of cables holding you down. Most people unknowingly come in contact with some sort of Bluetooth technology every day. The wireless world is advancing, offering better communication abilities, navigational skills and integrated service. Bluetooth technology is all around you but to access its abilities you have to have the latest accessories.

The latest accessory to the Bluetooth family is the car kit. The car kits enable wireless access to your phone and navigation system with your voice. With a car kit your phone doesn't even to come out of your pocket. The system can be accessed completely with your voice. If you need a phone number from your phone simply ask and your car system can find and call the requested number. The Bluetooth car kits came just in time, because many states are enacting legislature making handheld cell phone usage while driving illegal.

You can set the numbers, or menus to show in your rearview mirror or allow them to be voice activated. Another feature of the new Bluetooth car kit is when you have an incoming call the technology works together, turning your car audio system down and alerting you to the call. The caller ID system can announce the caller or you can have it displayed on the rearview mirror. With all the distractions on the roads, having your hands completely free to drive is sure to help prevent more car accidents.

Other accessories to the Bluetooth family are the integration of Bluetooth and the Mp3 players. There is no longer a need for the wire connection. Your music can be accessed, stored and played with Bluetooth. This new technology also enables the ability to share music between your phone, PDA, and computer. You can send pictures and files to other people's cell phones in an instant.

There are unlimited options with the new technology available from Bluetooth. Business offices are benefiting from the lack of cables and wires, clearing precious cubicle space for employees and additional work. With wireless PDAs, coworkers are able to send meeting notes and information to each other before, during and after meetings with the touch of a button. Offices are becoming more flexible in work schedules realizing that with Bluetooth employees can access office computers from home.

There are so many options available for using Bluetooth technology in the world today. As companies work to improve efficiency in and around the office, having wireless technology available gives them a significant advantage. With wireless connectivity in our homes, cars, and offices the ability to communicate with others can happen wherever you are.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car accessories at http://www.5starshine.com