Bluetooth technology (BT) by R4R Team

Bluetooth technology (BT):

The art of connecting things is becoming more and more complex every day. In this topic we will look at a method of connecting devices, called Bluetooth, that can streamline the process.
Bluetooth technology is a short-range wireless communications technology to replace the cables connecting electronic devices, allowing a person to have a phone conversation via a headset, use a wireless mouse and synchronize information from a mobile phone to a PC, all using the same core system.A Bluetooth connection is wireless and automatic, and it has a number of interesting features that can simplify our daily lives.

There are lots of different ways that electronic devices can connect to one another. For example:

Component cables
Electrical wires
Ethernet cables
WiFi
Infrared signals



How do we use Bluetooth in daily lives:


You need to check that your device is able to use Bluetooth. You can use a dongle - something which plugs into your computer to enable it to use Bluetooth.

Every manufacturer of compatible devices will have their own instructions for accessing Bluetooth. For detailed instructions you will need to see the manual, but as a general guide we tells you ,how to use BT.

To set up Bluetooth:

Turn on, or enable, Bluetooth:

Ensure your device is ‘visible’ and not ‘hidden’, so other nearby devices can pick up the signal.Give your device a name to identify it when connecting to other compatible equipment.

To establish a Bluetooth connection:

Find the file you wish to send.
Select the option to send it via Bluetooth - your device will search for other devices within range and display them.Scroll to the device you wish to connect with and select it.
If the other device needs ‘pairing’, you will need to enter a passcode – a bit like a PIN number - and make sure it is entered on the other device.
When the connection is established, the data will start to send. You do not need to worry about a clear line of sight between devices.



Advantages of Bluetooth Technology: some are given below..........

Low power and  low speed:

Bluetooth has evolved to be a perfect mobile connectivity option, because it doesn’t take much energy, and the signal isn’t broadcast for miles. Minimum standards require that Bluetooth chips have at least 10 meters (about 30 feet) of range unless they’re being used in closed circumstances. Even industrial uses of Bluetooth typically don’t have a range greater than 300 feet. The data transfer speed of Bluetooth isn’t particularly high, so while uses like streaming music or talking on the phone are fine, transferring larger amounts of data would take far too long to be practical. The low power consumption is also important when Bluetooth is used in our mobile devices, where the last thing we need is something else draining our precious battery.

Simple Setup:

Setting up a Bluetooth connection between two devices is quick and easy. The exact interface for doing so varies depending on your devices, but to connect two devices you need make one discoverable while the other one scans. Once the scanning device finds the discoverable one, you initiate the connection and enter the PIN as directed by your user's manual. That's all there is to it. You shouldn't have to reconnect the devices once they've been paired.

Compatibility:

A Bluetooth headset is compatible with any other device that supports Bluetooth, regardless of make, model or design. You can use it with your mobile phone or pair it with your gaming console or computer for easy chatting online. Your Bluetooth keyboard can work wtih your computer and your PlayStation. The only issue you're likely to encounter is if the device in question can only pair with a limited number of devices.

Less Hardware:

Obviously the lack of wires is a benefit of Bluetooth, but it's even less bulky than Wi-Fi. To create a wireless network in your home using Wi-Fi you will need a router to set up the access point. All communication between two devices on a wireless network must go through your wireless router. With Bluetooth, the devices speak directly to one another. As long as your devices already have Bluetooth enabled, you do not need any additional hardware to connect them. If you do need extra hardware, it's in the form a small USB dongle that adds Bluetooth connectivity to your computer or device.

Security:

Bluetooth has inherent security in two ways. The first is that it is not always broadcasting, unlike a Wi-Fi connection. When you want to connect two devices via Bluetooth you set them to be visible, also sometimes called "discoverable." This visibility is only necessary until the devices have been paired. Once paired, you can turn off visibility and keep the device closed to new connections. The second level of security is that in most cases you will need to authorize the connection using a PIN or code to connect two devices. For instance, if you have your laptop's Bluetooth set to discoverable, a stranger still can't connect to your computer until you approve the connection manually. Finally, the shorter range of Bluetooth devices means that users outside your home are unlikely to even see your Bluetooth device.

Upgradeable:

Upgradeable is the standard for Bluetooth. There are newer versions of Bluetooth in the works,
which offer many new advantages and backward compatible with older versions.

BT is cheap
BTEasy to install
BT makes connecting to different devices co nvenient
BT is wireless
BTis free to use if the device is installed with it
 

Disadvantages of Bluetooth Technology: some are given below..........

Data Transfer Rate:

Data sent between two Bluetooth devices has a maximum transfer speed of one megabyte per second. Infared is capable of transferring data at 4MB per second, and Wi-Fi is capable of speeds even higher. The slow transfer speed makes Bluetooth not an ideal choice for data transfer when faster connection methods are available.

Range:

Bluetooth only has a range of 15 to 30 feet depending on the device. The small range is a disadvantage for some who may want to use a Bluetooth device outside of that 30-foot radius. For instance, a Bluetooth printer in a home could not necessarily be used by every computer in the house if some of those computers are located out of the range of the printer. A Wi-Fi printer, however, could be used by anyone who could connect to the home's wireless network.

Security:
Since data is transferred over radio waves using Bluetooth, it is is much easier for a hacker to break into than secure wireless networks. For that reason, Bluetooth should not be used to transfer data that needs to remain private and secure.

Battery Use:

Bluetooth uses the battery power of a particular device in order to operate. Many cell phone makers send phones out with Bluetooth powered off in order to maximize the battery life of the phone. Turning Bluetooth on, while convenient, can drain a cell phone or computer battery, causing it to run out of juice long before it would have if Bluetooth was not powered on.

BTcan be hacked into.

BT installed on a cellphone it is prone to receiving cell phone viruses .

BT only allows short range communication between devices.

BT can only connect two devices at once.

BT can lose connection in certain conditions .