GOODBYE   INFRARED!

"Bluetooth" is a new standard launched in May 1998 which utilises a short-range radio link to exchange information, enabling effortless wireless connectivity between mobile phones, mobile PCs, handheld computers and other peripherals.

It aims to replace the IrDA spec of InfraRed in mobile and computing devices. 

TDK has just unveiled it's first Bluetooth Node.

Download Bluetooth Specification v1.0 (PDF file)

The Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group) was formed in early 1998 as a result of the global commitment of the five founding companies to develop the concept towards a technology standard. It competes with the 802.11 specification for wireless networking.

As of 10 August 1999, there were 640 members of the Bluetooth SIG.

Enabling seamless voice and data transmission via wireless, short-range radio, this new technology will allow users to connect a wide range of devices easily and quickly, without the need for cables, expanding communications capabilities for mobile computers, mobile phones and other mobile devices, both in and out of the office.

Ericsson contributed the basic radio technology expertise; Toshiba and IBM are developing a common specification for integrating "Bluetooth" technology into mobile devices.

Intel is contributing its advanced chip and software expertise and Nokia contributes expertise in radio technology and mobile handset software.

Other companies are being invited to support the core technology on a royalty-free basis to ensure that "Bluetooth" can be implemented in many different devices.

The radio will operate on the globally available 2.45 GHz ISM 'free band', allowing international travellers to use "Bluetooth"-enabled equipment worldwide.

Bluetooth System:

• Operates in the 2.4 GHz Industrial-Scientific-Medical (ISM) band.
• 10m to 100m range
• Uses Frequence Hop (FH) spread spectrum, which divides the frequency band into a number of hop channels.
• During a connection, radio transceivers hop from one channel to another
• Supports up to 8 devices in a piconet (two or more Bluetooth units sharing a channel).
• Built-in security.
• Non line-of-sight transmission through walls and briefcases.
• Omni-directional.
• Supports both isochronous and asynchronous services; easy integration of TCP/IP for networking.
• Regulated by governments worldwide.

Uses:

It will connect...

• Printers
• Mobile Phones
• Handsfree Headsets
• LCD projectors
• Modems
• Wireless LAN devices
• Notebooks
• Desktop PCs
• PDAs
• etc
  
  ....to one another via Bluetooth short-range radio modules installed in each of these devices

See also:

• See comparison between Bluetooth and 802.11 for wireless networking

• Preventing radio interference with Bluetooth

• TDK Unveils first Bluetooth Node

• Who was King Harald Bluetooth?
  

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