Application of Bluetooth, Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Bluetooth - Essay Example

BLUETOOTH DEVICE Introduction Bluetooth is a wireless technology which is a short-range communication technology which is intended to replace the cable that are used in connecting portable devices or fixed ones and at the same time maintain a high level of security. It has been associated with feature like robustness, low use of power and low costs. However Bluetooth denies a uniform structure of which represent a wide range of devices which are used for connection and communication with each other. (Oates, 2007) This kind of technology has achieved global recognitions and acceptance in a way which has resulted to increased sale of blue tooth compatible devices. There have been increases ales of blue tooth compatible devices all over the world which represent an evolution of the new technology. This paper will look at the Bluetooth technology and its compatible devices. It will seek to analyze the Bluetooth technology, its application, technology and its advantage over the other technologies. Application of Bluetooth Bluetooth technology is applied in a variety device which means that it need to have a compatible device in order to harmonize the technology. It has been show that each Bluetooth device can connect with up to seven other devices using a single Piconet. The device can also use several Pico nets at the same time. Piconets are well stabilized automatically and they are quite dynamic which means that they can be used in a number of other devices. The Bluetooth device therefore helps deices to be connected and disconnected with radio proximity. Blue tooth device have been used to handle transmission of data and voice at the same time. This makes it earlier to the use of the devices to perform these multiple tasks at the same time. As a result the use can enjoy other services like hands-free voice calls, printing, synchronizing PDA, laptop and application from a mobile phone Advantages and disadvantages of using Bluetooth There are many advantages and disadvantages of using the Bluetooth device. One of the advantages of using the blue tooth device is that one is able to enjoy a range of service and get connect to various devices. This means that one is not needed to go around with fixed devices since one can easily transfer data from portable devices to fixed devices. Therefore it allows one to transfer data from one device to another. Bluetooth device is also cheap to use. This is because it Bluetooth technology is easy to use and cost less. The evolution of the technology has revolution the communication technology and therefore massive investment in the production of the devices has made it affordable to many people. One disadvantage of using the device comes in the fact that it has been found out that it is possible to connect the device without the knowledge of the use and therefore gain access to their data without their consent. In this regard it can be used to gain access to data stored in other devices. Therefore this has been considered by many as immature technology based on ethical issues of privacy of information. Bluetooth software At the core system definition, of the core system covers all the four layers and other protocols which are defined by Bluetooth including other specifications. It also cover the service discovery Protocol (SDP) and the Generic Access Profile (GAP). In order for a Bluetooth application, there must be other addition services and some high layer protocols which are all defined in Bluetooth specification. The lower three layer are grouped to a system known as Bluetooth controller. This represents a common implementation which involves a standard physical communications interface between Bluetooth controllers that he others Bluetooth system like L2CAP and service and higher layers which presents the Bluetooth host. (Wong, Stajano and Clulow, 2005) The below diagram represent the Bluetooth software Adopted from: Core system Architecture, Available at http://www.bluetooth.com/Bluetooth/Technology/Works/Core_System_Architecture.htm#2 Where did Bluetooth originate Bluetooth were invented in an effort to replace the short-range cable technology to connect devices to a peripheral. In this regard it has been regard as Personal Area Network. It is a new technology compared to others like WiFi. Therefore the origin of Bluetooth can be traced to increased need to have a more adaptable technology that could enhance sharing of data between different devices. Different between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi There are a number of features and applications that differentiate between the two technologies. Blue tooth represents a specific which deals with how mobile phones, computers, PDAs and others are connected with a short urge wireless kind of connection which can be point to point or multipoint within a maximum range of 10 meters. This means that the devices are provide with built-in encryption and verification with a frequency hop scheme allowing the devices to communicate. On the other had WiFi which means Wireless Fidelity has a more coverage covering wireless local areas networks using specifications which are detailed in the 802.11 family. This is a technology that has been accepted in areas of business, schools, homes and others in preference for LAN which is wired. Unlike the Bluetooth, WiFi if not well protected can have access by users who are not authorized for free internet connection. (Vainio, 2005) In comparison of the two, WiFi comes with more capability to enhance security as it is difficult to access data stored in other devices unlike in Bluetooth. Communication and connection It has been shown that a master Bluetooth device can enhance communication with seven devices. This group of interconnected network is called a Piconet. It can be described as a scattered computer network. Data can be transferred from the master device to other devices. The master device switches from one device to the others in what can be described as a round bin fashion which means it is possible to transmit simultaneously data and voice from the master devices to the others. Setting up connection A Bluetooth can be used to transfer information like the name, class of the device, list of services, and other technical information like the futures, manufacture and others. One can make inquiries on various information from the device which will give various information about connection. Some of the devices can be connect to only one at a time which other can be connected to multiple devices. Each device contains a unique 48-bit address which appears when it is paired. (Kewney, 2008) Pairing Pairs may make a kind of trusted relapses by learning a secret that will be shared by the devices. This secret is known as passkey. In case a device wants to communicate with only one device it can authenticate the identity of that device. Bluetooth address is permanent and paring is preserved even when the name of the Bluetooth changes. Air interface The protocol for the Bluetooth operates in the license-free ISM band set at 2.4-2.4835 GHz. In order to avoid interfering with other protocols using the same band, the device divides the band to 79 channels each with a 1MHz length and at the same time, it changes the channel 1600 times per second. Bluetooth security In order to enhance security, Bluetooth used use customer algorithms which are based on SAFER + block cipher in order to implement confidentiality, authentication and key. It has Bluetooth PIN which is supposed to be entered on both devices for them to connect. (Becker, 2007) Future of Bluetooth The future of Bluetooth is more promising with possible of making Bluetooth and WiFi compative technology. One of the future prospects has been laid on broadcast channel which will enable Bluetooth information points. This will enable the adoption of the technology in mobile phase and used as advertising models which will not be based on object push model as used today. Another are is the improvement of the QoS which will enable audio and data transmission at a high quality on the same Piconet. Topology management will enable the automatic configuration of Piconet topologies more so in scatternet situations which are being used more often. This will enable the Piconet to be applied on a number of devices so that Bluetooth can be compatible with many devices as possible. This will increase the applicability of the device. This shows that Bluetooth may be the next technology that will determine the shape of communication in the future. This is because it has been receipted in the market with hype and it is expected to improve as technology improves Bibliography Becker, A. (2007). Bluetooth Seucty and Hacks. University of Bochum Kewney, G. (2008). High Speed Bluetooth for enhanced data rate. News wireless issue 9 Oates, J. (2007). Bluetooth. Oxford University Vainio, T. (2005). Bluetooth. Helnski University of Technology Wong, F., Stajano, F., & Clulow, J. (2005). Repairing the Bluetooth protocol. University of Cambridge Read More