BEGINNER’S GUIDE An introduction to the Bluetooth technology
, Bluetooth Beginner s Guide Contents About this document page 3 What is Bluetooth? page 4 Technical facts page 5 Interoperability page 7 Device discovery page 7 Wireless networks page 8 Bluetooth in action page 10 Bluetooth glossary page 11 2 of 11
, Bluetooth Beginner s Guide About this document This Beginner’s Guide will give you a short technical introduction to the Bluetooth™ technology.
, Bluetooth Beginner s Guide What is Bluetooth? Wireless communications A little history Bluetooth is a new technology that eliminates the need for cables between electronic devices: PCs, mobile phones, headsets, handheld computers, printers, local area networks, etc. The technology is based on short-range radio transmission on a globally available frequency. Bluetooth provides fast, reliable, and secure wireless communications.
, Bluetooth Beginner s Guide Technical facts Small size Robust link Bluetooth does not require much space. In fact, the Bluetooth radio can be built into a small microchip and integrated in any electronic device where wireless operation would be an advantage. Bluetooth provides a very robust link. The technology ensures that, under normal circumstances, you will not be bothered by interference from other radio signals operating in the same frequency band.
, Bluetooth Beginner s Guide Bandwidth A Bluetooth radio link has a maximum data transfer rate of 724 kbit/s, or three voice channels; the data rate for a voice channel is 64 kbit/s. Security Two advanced security mechanisms ensure a high level of security: § Authentication prevents access to critical data and makes it impossible to falsify the origin of a message. § Encryption prevents eavesdropping and maintains link privacy.
, Bluetooth Beginner s Guide Interoperability Device discovery Interoperability refers to the ability of two devices two communicate with each other. Now, any Bluetooth device features one or more applications, known as profiles. For one Bluetooth device to be able to communicate with another, the two devices must have at least one shared profile.
, Bluetooth Beginner s Guide Wireless networks Piconet At the very heart of the Bluetooth technology is the idea of forming small wireless networks known as piconets. When a Bluetooth device has established a link to one or more other devices, a piconet has been formed. The device that initiates a connection acts as the master. The other devices are slaves. The master controls all traffic in the piconet. Communication between slaves can only take place via the master.
, Bluetooth Beginner s Guide Scatternet One master, up to 255 slaves A group of piconets may be located in the same area. Such overlapping piconets, each identified by a different channel, are called a scatternet. A device may participate in several piconets, but can only be active in one piconet at a time. An example of a scatternet: Imagine that you have a piconet consisting of your PC and a phone.
, Bluetooth Beginner s Guide Bluetooth in action Unlimited possibilites Synchronization A technology that, like Bluetooth, eliminates the need for cables offers a great number of potential applications.The possibilities are virtually unlimited. Nevertheless, in some areas, it is particularly obvious that Bluetooth is an ideal solution. This section gives you a few examples. Automatic synchronization of eg. your PC, mobile phone, and handheld computer.
, Bluetooth Beginner s Guide Bluetooth glossary Authentication Park mode Security mechanism that prevents access to critical data and makes it impossible to falsify the origin of a message. The unique address of a Bluetooth device. Economical, low-power ’’sub-mode’’ of standby. In park mode, a slave does not participate in the piconet but remains synchronized to it. Park mode is used to increase the number of slaves connected to a master.
