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Basics of Bluetooth |
axxxr
Joined: Mar 21, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Londinium
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Bluetooth is a set of open standards for IT equipment that enables it to communicate wirelessly. Whether you’re transferring Excel files from a PDA to a laptop, or from a lap top to a PC, or sending documents to a fax machine, or photos from a mobile phone to a printer – Bluetooth is the wireless transfer protocol you’re must likely to be using.
The Bluetooth open standards are defined by the Bluetooth Special InterestGroup (SIG) - a community of about 2000 companies (visit www.bluetooth.com to find out more). These Bluetooth SIG members build wireless technology into their products using a specification, like a map, which gives them common application instructions.
Profiles
As Bluetooth is used in many devices for many applications, it’s necessary to define how the devices and their applications inter-operate. The Bluetooth ‘profile’ is a way of doing this. For devices to work together it’s important that each device shares the same profile. For example;
To connect a headset to a mobile phone, the HSP (Headset Profile) must be supported in both devices
To connect a PDA to the Internet via a mobile phone, both devices must support the DUN (dial-up networking) profile
To print from a mobile phone to a printer, both devices will need BPP (Basic Printing Profile)
These are just some examples. When you purchase Bluetooth equipment (like mobile phones, printers, headsets, car kits, digital cameras, Palm devices and Pocket PCs) all the equipment you want to work together must support the same profile for any given application.
Range
Bluetooth is radio-based, using the 2.4 GHz radio spectrum. Up to seven simultaneous connections can be established and maintained. Although it uses the same frequency as Wi-Fi (802.11b) it doesn’t conflict, because Bluetooth uses frequency hop, changing frequency 1600 times a second. The Bluetooth standard defines three levels of power that provides the following approximate range: Class 1 (100mW) – up to 100m; Class 2 (2.4mW) – up to 10m; and Class 3 (1.0mW) – less than 2M
Getting it all going
Turn Bluetooth on – by default, most Bluetooth devices have the functionality turned off. This is a security consideration and helps prevent unauthorised access to the device and for mobile phones and other portables, it helps conserve battery power. Only Vodafone phones currently offer Bluetooth in New Zealand.
Pairing the devices – devices need to initially be paired. You ‘introduce’ one device to another. Paired devices will be authorised to use selected ‘profiles’ between them. After a device is paired, you don’t need to repeat the process. Once paired, all information sent over the link is encrypted and will only reach devices that are authorised by the pairing process.
In some devices you always need to make the device discoverable by setting the “discoverable menu” or preparing to accept business card (eg: Sony Ericsson mobile phones). The pairing procedure will vary from product to product and will be described in more detail in the user manual. Usually, pairing between devices is not a problem, however you will need to know how to initiate and make the initial pairing. Once again, read the product’s user manual.
Common problems
Devices cannot be found - Bluetooth is off or the other device is not in ‘discoverable mode’. Make the unit you are trying to find and pair with visible/discoverable by turning this on from the appropriate menu.
Pairing unsuccessful - Usually due to the wrong entry of a pass or PIN code The most common causes for devices not to work together is that the two devices don’t support the same profile. Unfortunately, support at both ends is a mandatory for a successful Bluetooth connection.
Another common problem is finding the right menu options to initiate the connection. The only recommendation would be to look in user documentation and/or to contact the device manufacturer’s support department.
A usage example?
Let’s say you have a mobile phone, a headset and a Pocket PC. First, pair the Pocket PC and mobile phone. After this step is completed, you can select the ‘Make this my Dial Up device’ option on your Pocket PC. From now on, every time you want to access the internet on the go, just turn your Pocket PC on and start your application. It will automatically connect to your mobile and instruct it to dial up your provider, or connect to the GPRS network.
After the web surfing session, pair the headset with the mobile phone. From now on, if a new call comes in, it will ring both the mobile and headset. Put the headset on, press the button and you’re talking – without cables. And your mobile can be in your pocket, briefcase or purse, anywhere within Bluetooth range.
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Jake Blues
Joined: May 24, 2004
Posts: > 500
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i never really thought about, i admit but i never realised so much work went into bluetooth!
like the title said these are the basics, and im already in over my head!
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Posted: 2004-10-30 13:23
