Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances using short-wavelength UHF radio waves in the ISM band from 2.402 GHz to 2.48 GHz, and building personal area networks (PANs). It was originally conceived as a wireless alternative to RS-232 data cables. Bluetooth is managed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), which has more than 35,000 member companies in the areas of telecommunication, computing, networking, and consumer electronics. The IEEE standardized Bluetooth as IEEE 802.15.1, but no longer maintains the standard. The Bluetooth SIG oversees development of the specification, manages the qualification program, and protects the trademarks.

History

Bluetooth was invented by Ericsson, a Swedish telecommunications company, in 1994 as a way to eliminate the need for cables to connect devices. The name "Bluetooth" is an anglicized version of the Scandinavian Blåtand/Blåtann, the nickname of the 10th-century king Harald Bluetooth who united dissonant Danish tribes into a single kingdom. The implication is that Bluetooth technology unites communication protocols into one universal standard.

Technical Details

Bluetooth uses a radio technology called frequency-hopping spread spectrum. It chops up the data being sent and transmits chunks of it on up to 79 bands (1 MHz each) in its range. This is designed to minimize interference between wireless technologies sharing the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Bluetooth devices use a radio communications system, so they do not have to be in a line of sight of each other, and can even be in other rooms, as long as the transmitted signal is within range.

Bluetooth Profiles

A Bluetooth profile is a specification regarding an aspect of Bluetooth-based wireless communication between devices. It resides on top of the Bluetooth Core Specification and (optionally) additional protocols. The most widely used profiles are:

• Headset Profile (HSP)
• Hands-Free Profile (HFP)
• Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
• File Transfer Profile (FTP)

Applications

Bluetooth technology is used in a wide range of devices and can be found in:

• Mobile phones and headsets
• Wireless keyboards and mice
• Speakers and sound systems
• Cars, for hands-free calling and audio streaming
• Health and fitness devices, such as heart rate monitors

Security

While Bluetooth offers convenience, it also presents security risks. The technology is susceptible to eavesdropping, man-in-the-middle attacks, and bluejacking, among others. However, ongoing improvements in Bluetooth security, such as secure simple pairing and encryption, have made it more secure against unauthorized access.

Future of Bluetooth

The future of Bluetooth technology looks promising with the advent of Bluetooth 5.0, which offers significant improvements over its predecessors, including four times the range, twice the speed, and eight times the broadcasting message capacity. These enhancements open up new possibilities for IoT (Internet of Things) applications and devices.

See Also

• Wireless communication
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Near Field Communication (NFC)

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