Discover the world of Bluetooth technology
Table of Contents The Freedom of Bluetooth...4 Introduction... 5 How does it work?... 7 Bluetooth vs. WiFi... 8 Bluetooth Specs and Classes... 10 What can I do with Bluetooth?... 12 Connecting with Bluetooth...15 Why Bluetooth?... 15 How do I Bluetooth-enable my computer?... 16 What Bluetooth devices are available?... 17 Software and hardware requirements... 19 Can anyone connect with my Bluetooth devices?... 20 Bluetooth Networking...23 Can I use Bluetooth to create a network?... 23 Will Bluetooth interfere with other wireless devices?... 25 Summary...25
The Freedom of Bluetooth Wouldn t it be great to quickly connect your PC to another PC to share music, data and calendar info, without using any wires? Or wirelessly access phone numbers on your PDA from your cell phone? Wouldn t talking on a phone while driving be easier and dramatically safer if you didn t have to be distracted holding the phone or be tethered to a wired headset? Wouldn t it be cool to be able to enjoy rich stereo audio from your MP3 player or home entertainment system wirelessly, with complete freedom to walk from den to kitchen without interruption? Want to get rid of the yards of cables snaking through your office but still be able to use your computer to access the Internet, print files, sync data with your PDA, and print photos taken from your digital camera minutes ago, wirelessly? With more and more cars coming equipped with Bluetooth technology, imagine the convenience as well as safety of conversing with family, friends and business associates without taking your hands off the wheel. Won t it be nice to be able to wirelessly navigate even the most difficult routes in foreign cities using Bluetooth and GPS technologies? Now you can. Bluetooth is here! 4
The Freedom of Bluetooth Introduction Bluetooth is a standard for a small, low-cost, power efficient radio chip that can be used by computers, printers, mobile phones, headsets, headphones, and numerous other consumer electronics. This technology allows multiple devices to communicate with each other, or one device can control and manage several other devices. Background Much in the same way that King Harald Bluetooth united Denmark and Norway, Bluetooth was designed to unite computers, phone equipment and many other electronics devices. Back in 1994, Ericsson Mobile Communications began a feasibility study on an inexpensive low-power radio solution between cell phones and phone accessories. Four years later, Ericsson, along with Nokia, IBM, Toshiba and Intel formed the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). This association represented leading companies in mobile telephony, notebook computers and a market leader in digital signal processing technology. Bluetooth was positioned as easy to use link that would create a personal area network. Immediately, the media and public raised unrealistically high expectations even before the first hardware products arrived. The technology initially delivered more failures than successes, with numerous bugs, complexities, and incompatibilities. By 1999 the year Bluetooth Spec 1.0 was introduced 5
The Freedom of Bluetooth - 850 companies had joined the SIG. A year later, when spec 1.1 was accepted, the Group boasted well over 1,000 members and a full 2000 companies had become involved by Fall 2003 when Bluetooth Spec 1.2 was announced. Today, the Bluetooth SIG counts among its members 3,400 companies. Instant Multi-device Network A Bluetooth to USB Adapter such as IOGEAR s GBU311 or GBU211 allows any computer to become a Bluetooth-enabled computer, and be able to send to and receive information from a wide variety of other Bluetooth products. 6
The Freedom of Bluetooth How does it work? Bluetooth takes the information normally carried by a wire and transmits it at a special frequency to another Bluetooth device. Both the sending and receiving devices have what is called a Bluetooth receiver chip, which translates data into a wireless transmission and then back to normal again, depending on if it is sending or receiving data. 7
The Freedom of Bluetooth Bluetooth vs. WiFi Perhaps pitting these two wireless technologies against each other is unfair since both offer unique advantages and complement rather than compete with each other. WiFi offers a means to wirelessly connect one or more computers to each other and to a router so they can access the Internet. WiFi range can reach longer distances than Bluetooth and transfers data faster as well. Bluetooth is a short-range wireless medium but offers a means to link not just computers, but PDAs, headphones, headsets, printers and other technology with each other. Bluetooth Data Transfer Rate up to 732 kbps Range up to 330 ft. (100 m) Frequency Band 2.4 Ghz Network Protocol Required No Power Efficient Yes Pros Designed for quick short range network. Features lower power consumption Small protocol stack Robust data & voice transfer Low-cost Replacement for parallel, serial network and audio cable Ideal for WPAN Cons Poor choice for WLAN Medium data transfer rate 8
802.11b Wired LAN up to 11 mbps up to 330 ft (100 m) up to 11 Mbps N/A 2.4 Ghz N/A Yes No The Freedom of Bluetooth You can link your computer, printer and cell phone with each other, so both the computer and cell phone can print without cables. You can sync the address book on your computer with your cell phone. Using your Bluetooth headset, you can wirelessly communicate with friends using SKYPE, Vonage or other Voice over IP (VOIP) phone system. A computer can use both Bluetooth and WiFi simultaneously. A wireless WiFi connection can connection the computer to the Internet access point, while Bluetooth adapter can allow the computer to print wirelessly and well as speak with other Bluetooth-enabled devices such as a headset, PDA, etc. Designed for infrequent mobility IP-based data transmission Medium range High data rate Ideal choice for WLAN Yes No Extremely high data rate Range is limited by cables Perfect choice for LAN Expensive Power-hungry Only for network cable replacement Wired cable solution 9
The Freedom of Bluetooth Bluetooth Specs and Classes Since its introduction in 1994, the specifications for Bluetooth have continuously improved. Bluetooth 1.0 and 1.0B The original Bluetooth specifications had numerous problems and the various manufacturers had great difficulties in making their products interoperable. Because of the way Bluetooth devices had to communicate with each other, anonymity was impossiblel Bluetooth 1.1 In version 1.1 added support for non-encrypted channels was added Bluetooth 1.2 This version is backwards compatible with 1.1. Major enhancements include: Adaptive Frequency Hopping (AFH), which improves resistance to radio interference by avoiding the use of crowded frequencies Higher transmission speeds Bluetooth 2.0 This version is backwards compatible with 1.x. The main enhancement is the introduction of Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) of 2.1 Mbit/s. 3X faster transmission speed (up to 10 times in certain cases). Lower power consumption 10
The Freedom of Bluetooth Classes Bluetooth devices are known as Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3. Class Range Power consumption Applications 1 Up to 330 ft (100m) Greater Typically used by devices that require extended range, such as Bluetooth to USB Adapters (IOGEAR GBU311) and more. 2 Up to 66 ft (20m) Lesser Typically used by devices which do not require great range and should conserve notebook battery power, such as Bluetooth MiniMice (IOGEAR GME225B), Bluetooth GPS (IOGEAR GBGPS201), Printer Adapters (IOGEAR GBP201), and more. 3 Up to 33ft (10m) Least Used by devices require very short range, such as cell phones, PDAs 11
The Freedom of Bluetooth What can I do with Bluetooth? Wirelessly Transfer Data Transfer pictures, files, e-mails, and other data between Bluetooth devices such as desktop computers, PDAs, cell phones, printers, notebooks, and more Print files, documents and pictures from your computer or PDA Use the address book on your PDA to dial phone numbers on your cell phone Hot Sync a PDA or mobile phone with your computer without plugging in wires; when you update your calendar or contact list, all your other Bluetoothenabled devices will update automatically Compute Wirelessly Use a Bluetooth-enabled mouse Print to a Bluetooth-enabled printer Network to other local Bluetooth-enabled computers 12
The Freedom of Bluetooth Enjoy Entertainment Wirelessly Plug a Bluetooth audio adapter into your stereo or MP3 player and enjoy high-quality wireless stereo sound on Bluetooth headphones Wirelessly Converse with Family, Friends and Work Associates In the home or offi ce, converse locally and long distance using your Bluetooth-enabled headset, computer and Voice Over IP (VOIP) In the car, keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road using a Bluetooth headset and Bluetooth cell phone Wirelessly Navigate with your GPS Get highly-detailed map data with the latest traffi c data on your Bluetooth GPS system 13
The Freedom of Bluetooth Wirelessly Send & Receive Messages Use your notebook or PDA to discreetly share thoughts and ideas during meetings with other attendees using Bluetooth-enabled computers Wirelessly Connect with and Share the Internet Connect your computer to the Internet wherever you are using your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone as a modem Share a dial-up or broadband Internet connection among computers without the need for a router or networking Live and Travel Wirelessly Reduce the messy clutter of wires on your desk Eliminate the concern of remembering to pack the right wires when traveling Compose e-mail messages while in flight and have your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone send them as soon as you land Abandon clumsy notebook touchpads and use your Bluetooth-enabled wireless MiniMouse 14
Connecting with Bluetooth Why Bluetooth? Bluetooth was designed for consumers and small office/ home office users as an easy-to-use, inexpensive way to transmit data without wires. Bluetooth uses minimal electricity so it may extend the life of battery-powered devices such as notebook computers Built-in encryption and authentication assure safe, secure wireless communication Bluetooth is perfectly suited for computers, mice, phones, pens, laptops, PDAs, cameras and any small battery-powered device Government actions are beginning to make handsfree solutions mandatory while driving Driver distraction is contributing cause to 20-30% of motor vehicle crashes Around the world, more than 25 countries have enacted laws to restrict use of mobile phones in vehicles 15
Connecting with Bluetooth How do I Bluetooth-enable my computer? A Bluetooth USB adapter can easily enable your computer with wireless Bluetooth capabilities. Simply plug the adapter into your computer s USB port, install self-running software, and you re ready to go wireless! Surf the Internet or send e-mails by connecting to a Bluetooth phone or access point Share a dial-up or broadband Internet connection with other computers or devices, without the need for a router or Ethernet networking Hot Sync data with other Bluetooth devices Using Bluetooth headset to make phone calls through Internet (Skype) Using Bluetooth stereo headset to enjoy the digital music stored in your computer or downloaded from Internet Using Bluetooth mouse 16
Connecting with Bluetooth What Bluetooth devices are available? Mobile Phones Bluetooth phones can connect a computer or PDA to the Internet. Send e-mails or surf the web; or synchronize phone numbers and print pictures to a Bluetooth printer. Headsets Stereo Headphones Make a call on your Bluetooth headset while your mobile phone is in your pocket, purse or briefcase! Never again will you have to fi ght a tangled wire while trying to answer your phone. Ideal for use in your car or for making VOIP calls from your Bluetooth-enabled computer. Enjoy full stereo audio without being tethered to your stereo or MP3 player! Bluetooth headphones deliver complete freedom from wires, so you re free to move around without risk of entanglements. With IOGEAR s GBMH201 Bluetooth headphones, you can even control the volume and skip from track to track, and, since it comes with a detachable microphone, comfortably make calls from your Bluetooth-enabled cell phone. 17
Connecting with Bluetooth Audio Adapters Bluetooth Audio Adapters like IOGEAR s GBMA201 let you Bluetooth-enable all your music and audio devices including mp3 players, computers, home stereos, TV sets, and more. Printers/Printer Adapter A Bluetooth-enabled printer is a great way to get rid of some messy cables in your offi ce, and gives you the freedom to position your printer across the room or across the hallway. Keyboards and Mice Using a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse offers the freedom of wireless connectivity. No more worries about positioning your computer within range of your keyboard or mouse cables! GPS The Bluetooth GPS receiver allows you to receive positioning data from satellites and deliver the data to mobile computing devices wirelessly via Bluetooth. 18
Connecting with Bluetooth Software and hardware requirements To Bluetooth-enable a computer, the following are required: One Bluetooth USB Adapter such as IOGEAR s GBU311 and GBU211 One available USB port One CD-ROM Drive For PC: Windows 2000/XP For Mac: Mac OS X (10.3.9) or better We invite you to keep up to date on the latest IOGEAR Bluetooth communication innovations at www.iogear.com 19
Connecting with Bluetooth Can anyone connect with my Bluetooth devices? You can easily connect with your friends and colleagues Bluetooth devices to share information, pictures, Internet access, and a wide range of other uses. However, Bluetooth features three types of built-in security to prevent unwanted connections with your equipment: Pairing, Encryption, and Pass Key Protection Bluetooth Built-in Security: - Pairing - Encryption - Pass Key Pairing This function enables Bluetooth devices to remain permanently linked to each other. Even if a paired Bluetooth device is turned off, or just out of range, it will be visible to the Bluetooth devices it has been paired with when it is powered on again or comes within range. 20
Connecting with Bluetooth Encryption Bluetooth features 128-bit security encryption to make sure that no other devices can receive transmissions that you send. Pass Key This is a unique, case-sensitive password that is set by the user and is required in order to access and communicate with the Bluetooth device. The Pass Key is continually incorporated into the 128-bit Encryption; also it reinforces pairing by only allowing devices to pair if the password matches. Bluetooth on the Road As noted earlier, nowhere is Bluetooth more at home as on the road. By eliminating wires, Bluetooth allows drivers to converse telephonically without jeopardizing safety. Voice operated Bluetooth-enabled cell phones and Bluetooth headsets were quite literally made for each other, and give drivers complete freedom to get to their destination safely while staying in touch. Car manufacturers from BMW to Chrysler to Toyota equip their cars with Bluetooth technology as standard equipment. With a compatible Bluetooth-enabled phone, drivers can place and answer calls as well as browse and select phone book contacts simply by using buttons often found on steering wheels and keys on their radios. 21
Connecting with Bluetooth On some vehicles, it s even possible to activate these functions using voice commands that interface with the vehicle itself. Just say, Phone home, and you ll be connected in moments, without having to lift a finger off the wheel. Getting lost while driving is becoming a thing of the past with Bluetooth GPS systems such as IOGEAR s GBGPS201. This palm-sized device wirelessly communicates with GPS satellites and Bluetooth-enabled PDAs, notebook computer, or car-mounted PCs that are gaining in popularity. Guidance information is transmitted from the satellites to the GPS and wirelessly from the GPS to the PDA/notebook/dashboard-mounted PC monitor. These GPS systems can be carried from one vehicle to another, including rental cars, ending frustration and optimizing business travel. 22
Bluetooth Networking Can I use Bluetooth to create a network? All that is needed to connect to a network is a Bluetooth enabling device, such as IOGEAR s Bluetooth to USB Adapter. 23
Bluetooth Networking As many as eight Bluetooth devices can be connected at once! For example, you can have a couple of Bluetoothenabled computers, a mobile phone, a video camera, a printer, a PDA, and a Bluetooth access point all working together to share an Internet connection, synchronize address books and calendars, share a printer, and perform various other functions. If there are more than eight Bluetooth devices in the same area, only eight of them can be linked together via pairing to communicate at the same time. Any other devices will not interfere with the Bluetooth network. 24
Bluetooth Networking Will Bluetooth interfere with other wireless devices? Bluetooth operates at the 2.4 GHz range. While wireless Ethernet 802.11 and some cordless phones do share the 2.4 GHz band range, Bluetooth is designed to operate in a noisy-frequency environment; moreover, by using constant frequency hopping, any possible interference would be minimal and intermittent. Summary Bluetooth offers a very affordable, high-speed, secure, simple and dependable way to communicate and share data wirelessly. Today Bluetooth technology spans the technology, automotive, medical, gaming, entertainment, communications and other industries worldwide. That s why companies including Lexus, Texas Instruments, Apple, Hewlett Packard, BMW, Sony Ericsson, Chrysler, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Toshiba, and hundreds of other developers are introducing more and more new Bluetooth-enabled products that incorporate this new proven standard in communications. For further information about Bluetooth technology please come to: www.iogear.com/btinfo 25
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