The History of Bluetooth - Term Paper Example

AR Bluetooth 8/25 Bluetooth Introduction As the world has advanced it is seen that different technologies have been introduced toease the lives of people in this world. Such a technology which has been successfully introduced in the market is known as Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a radio frequency based device which aims to eradicate the use of cables in the world of computers and communication. The device has been developed in such a way that it can be used with many other devices. Thus the range of compatibility of Bluetooth with other devices is wide enough. The name Bluetooth is believed to come from the name of the famous Danish King Harald Blatand who was also called Bluetooth. Harald Blatand brought together a huge territory for a similar cause and that is why his nickname Bluetooth is used for this device as it is believed to bring together the world of wireless devices. Bluetooth is a device which helps to connect devices without a cable to remove the hassle of using these cables. Nowadays it is being used in different technologies such as computers, laptops and mobile phones to transfer data over a certain distance. Bluetooth is being used in several devices nowadays and its history dates back to 1994. With many positives a Bluetooth device also has negatives such as health concerns. This essay would further provide details about the Bluetooth device starting from its history (Bakker et al 2002). History The history of Bluetooth dates back to the 1994 when the multinational Ericsson planned to launch a device which would remove the use of cables. The initial idea was to manufacture a chip which would transmit radio frequencies so that data could be transferred to and from devices. It was then in 1998 that a special interest group was formed which still looks after the manufacture of Bluetooth devices. In 1998 the companies which took part in the SIG were Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba. It was in the year 1999 that the first Bluetooth device was launched in the market (Bakker et al 2002). Parts of Bluetooth A Bluetooth system consists of a module which helps it to connect it with other devices without the use of wires. Bluetooth Stack is an important component of the device which helps it to connect to other wireless devices. This Bluetooth Stack consists of many layers which are in contact with each other. Host Controller Interface is a layer of Bluetooth which helps both the upper and lower layers of the stack to connect with each other. The protocol stack has a variety of applications which help it to connect in series with other devices. These are Telephony Control System, Service Discovery Protocol, WAP, OBEX and RFCOMM. The other layers are L2CAP, Link Manager Protocol, Baseband and Link Controller and Radio. All these components have specific functions which help the device to transfer data easily. For example Radio helps to interpret data such that it can be transferred through the frequencies. The Bluetooth Device works at a band of 2.4 2GHz. Another feature in a Bluetooth device is that of a Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum. This helps the device to decrease any intervention from other devices when connecting to a specific device. In other words it helps the device to hop from one channel to another channel in a matter of seconds. Adaptive Frequency Hopping helps to reduce any intervention which may be caused by the Bluetooth device for WIFI channels. And lastly these Bluetooth devices are assigned specific addresses which make them identifiable (Scientific American 2008; Bakker et al 2002). Comparison of Bluetooth with other devices Bluetooth is not the only device which helps in connecting different devices but another technology known as WIFI has quite excelled in the very same arena. The main aim of Bluetooth is to connect two devices without the use of wires. Like Bluetooth, WIFI also operates with the frequency of 2.4 Giga Hertz. However it has been known that WIFI is much affected by the impediments unlike the Bluetooth device. The reason for this is that Bluetooth sends only weak signals of about 1 mill watt. If both WIFI and Bluetooth are compared it can be seen that both the devices have their own uses which can be helpful at one instance. The speed of Bluetooth is quite low if compared to the speed of WIFI. The maximum speed of data transfer is 720 kilobits per second. The frequency used by WIFI and Bluetooth is the same but Bluetooth uses a technique known as Digital Spread Spectrum Technique because of which interferences do not impede the signals transmitted by these devices. Bluetooth provides more security in general than the WIFI devices if the security protocols in WIFI are not activated by a user. Bluetooth is mostly used for connecting devices such as mobile phones and laptops whereas WIFI was designed only to connect devices to provide them with an Ethernet connection. Bluetooth is more easy to use than WIFI, as to use WIFI the general protocols of using it should be known. Bluetooth can be generally connected if the appropriate software is present in the mobile or computer. The distances covered by both the devices are different and here WIFI excels. WIFI can provide signals till the range of 1200 feet whereas Bluetooth can only provide signals up to the mark of 30 feet. Considering all these features it can be seen that both Bluetooth and WIFI have their own advantages for specific purposes. It can be noted that Bluetooth is easy to use and can connect users easily if they have the appropriate software whereas WIFI does not but here it can also be noted that WIFI provides signals to a longer distance than Bluetooth. This factor allows WIFI to excel and take over Bluetooth generally in computers and mobiles. But here again it can be noted that in the modern world both of these technologies are being used largely. Bluetooth is generally being used for data transfers from a mobile phone to another mobile phone or other devices whereas WIFI is being used in computers so that an Ethernet connection can be easily established (Bathmann 2009; Miller 2001). Applications and Uses Bluetooth was initially introduced as a wireless communication device which bridges the wireless connection between a cell phone and a hands-free device. This enabled the users an ease of communicating while performing other jobs. The Bluetooth device was also equipped with rapid developments and this is no more the sole cause of designing this device. Bluetooth applications have now developed to an extent that they are used as networking interface between PCs. The explorers, scientists and researchers who work in restricted areas require little bandwidth. Bluetooth devices build a networking interface that allows the users transfer information and communicate effectively. Bluetooth has also helped in transferring data, files and other content from one device to the other using OBEX. This ease of transferring information and files have made the jobs easier of many people. Bluetooth devices also support wireless input and output devices. This wireless system leads to flexibility of use and enables the user work comfortably. There are many other applications which go unnoticed but are equipped with Bluetooth technology. Some of these applications involve GPS devices, traffic control devices, certain security and medical appliances and bar code scanners. Bluetooth has taken the place of infrared and is successfully incorporated in many devices. Unlike infrared, Bluetooth devices can transmit signals and hence, information from the briefcases, bags etc (Morrow 2002; Miller 2001; Newsweek 2002). Bluetooth devices, nowadays, are used in every field like medical, education, e-business etc. Bluetooth is considered as an resolute technology when it comes to interference. This technology is not affected by other wireless communication devices working in the surrounding. This helps in lower chances of disruption, hence, increasing the reliability of this technology. Bluetooth is considered as homogenized, i.e., it is equally compatible with all devices it is connected to. This level of compatibility is another major reason f its success and fame. Unlike other wireless devices, Bluetooth is easy to use and connect. The only thing that may disrupt the connectivity in the normal course of action is the distance. The distance between the devices was previously limited to 30 feet and it has been widened in the new Bluetooth devices (Newsweek 2002; Morrow 2002). HEALTH ISSUES There has been a widespread discussion on the use of Bluetooth devices and the health issues that may arise. People often assume that Bluetooth may harm their health significantly and hence, try avoiding the devices with this technology plugged in. The major issue that is changing people’s attitude towards Bluetooth and health related issue is the radiation discussion. In order to understand this, it is important to observe that Bluetooth transmits the weak radio signals. The radiation is also dispersed which affects people’s health in the same way as portable phones. The confusion in people’s mind is due to the fact that Bluetooth employs the microwave radio frequency spectrum to build its connection with other devices. (Miller 2001) Conclusion In conclusion, we can say that technological advancements, like Bluetooth, have helped a lot in every field. Using Bluetooth helps people in saving time, flexibility of using devices like keyboard, mouse, mobile phones etc and easy transferability of data. Moreover, people who are concerned with the health issues related to Bluetooth devices are overlooking the fact that radiations emitted by Bluetooth are less harmful then some cell phones even. The signals are transmitted in a dispersed manner rather than one strong beam. The benefits of Bluetooth devices clearly outweigh these minor issues which people come across any ways. .  Bibliography Bathmann, R. (2009). A comparison of wireless network protocols from a simulation perspective. Thesis (B.S. Honors--Computer Science)--Bucknell University, 2009. Top of Form MORROW, R. (2002). Bluetooth operation and use. McGraw-Hill telecom professional. New York, McGraw-Hill. http://www.netlibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=71896. Top of Form MILLER, M. (2001). Discovering Bluetooth. San Francisco, Sybex. Top of Form (2002). TECHNOLOGY: Bluetooth Lets You Go Really Wireless. Newsweek. 53. Top of Form (2008). Ask the Experts - How do the same fish species end up so far apart? How does Bluetooth work? Scientific American. 94. Top of Form BAKKER, D. M., & MCMICHAEL GILSTER, D. (2002).Bluetooth end to end. End to end. New York, NY, M&T Books. Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Bottom of Form Read More