Bluetooth Compatibility for Microsoft Peripherals

Certain Microsoft Bluetooth-enabled devices come with a transceiver, specifically the Microsoft Mini USB Bluetooth transceiver to guarantee Bluetooth compatibility. This device will allow you to connect several devices to your computer wirelessly such as mobile phone, camera, Pocket PC, printer and etcetera.

For users of Bluetooth-enabled Microsoft products, Bluetooth compatibility is assured and setup is quick and easy via Microsoft’s “First Connect Technology”. This technology makes it possible for Bluetooth devices to be connected through a simple procedure whether you are connecting Microsoft to Microsoft peripherals or Microsoft to other brands of Bluetooth devices. The procedure will vary depending on the specific peripherals but they essentially aim to eliminate complicated setups.

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Technical Information about Bluetooth

What you are about to read isn’t exactly what you would expect from something entitled Technical Information about Bluetooth. There will be information regarding Bluetooth technology, but not solely technical information regarding it, nor “highly” technical information regarding it.

Bluetooth technology is basically the now standard when talking about wireless connections. Technical information would indicate that it utilizes a low power radio frequency in doing so. Bluetooth is now the buzzword when wireless connections are concerned.

Through Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth equipped Digital Cameras could easily transfer pictures wirelessly, to other Bluetooth enabled devices, like personal computers, regardless if these are laptops or desktop computer systems. Bluetooth equipped printers could easily print wirelessly, utilizing Bluetooth technology, ultimately negating the need for wires for such printers to successfully operate.

These examples not only illustrate the wireless nature of Bluetooth technology, but its universal capacity to deal with various Bluetooth connections, regardless of the device class the technology is built into.

Universal and wireless. That is Bluetooth. Here is a short rundown of certain technical information about Bluetooth.

The short range, low power radio frequency used by Bluetooth technology, is, established by international agreements, a frequency dedicated for Scientific, Industrial and Medical Devices. Bluetooth technology operates on an unlicensed 2.45 gigahertz frequency, which is in truth something between the 2.402 gigahertz to the 2.480 gigahertz frequency band. Wireless connections with Bluetooth technology is established through the generation of a Personal Area Network, or PAN, and features various security protocols, as well as connectivity data streams, and other technical information.

The Bluetooth name comes from a poetic source, as well as the Bluetooth logo which the technology has become associated with.

King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark and Norway is where the technology takes its name from. King Harald Bluetooth reigned during the late tenth century, and his most notable achievement as King is that he had united the many warring tribes in Denmark, symbolizing the universal connectivity capacity of Bluetooth technology. The modern Latin H and the letter B which basically combines the Bluetooth logo, hails from the Nordic runes Berkanan and Haglaz, defining the bind rune.

Among the more popular of Bluetooth enabled devices are Bluetooth headsets for mobile phones and Bluetooth Adapters, or Bluetooth Dongles.

Bluetooth headsets for mobile phones are basically wireless versions of mobile phones’ Hands Free Kits, truly making the “free” in Hands Free Kits come to life by simply being wireless. Bluetooth Adapters, or Bluetooth Dongles are USB devices which give computers access to Bluetooth technology. They are add-on hardware devices which make non-Bluetooth integrated computer systems, capable of Bluetooth wireless connections.

So there you have it. The “technical information” regarding Bluetooth technology.

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Information on Bluetooth Specifications

The wireless technology, better known as Bluetooth, has been around for several years already but for a lot of people it is just another “high-tech” word.

In spite of the Bluetooth’s existence, many people still have little to no understanding of this technology and its applications. You can read information on Bluetooth on different magazines and articles or see it in advertisements but one usually has a vague idea about how it really works.

Bluetooth Technology works by transmitting radio waves or signals from an electronic device to another. Usually, the transmission of signals ranges approximately 30 feet or more depending on the Bluetooth specifications. Included in the different Bluetooth specifications of the latest devices is the capability to transmit signals of up to 100 feet.
 
The Bluetooth wireless technology is very much similar to how a computer is connected to other devices using a cable like a monitor, keyboard, mouse and printer or an mp3 player to a headphone.

What is good about using a Bluetooth device is that you no longer have to worry about connecting cables. To have a better understanding of this technology, you should know about the different Bluetooth specifications.

Here are some Bluetooth specifications from the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG):

• The channel of Bluetooth devices in a piconet has 1 Mbps total capacity. Information on handshaking and headers use 20 percent of its total capacity.

• Frequencies in different countries:

1. United States and Europe’s frequency is 2,400 to 2,800 MHz with 79 1-MHz RF channels
2. Japan’s frequency is 2,472 to 2,497 MHz with 23 1-MHz RF channels

• Channel jumps randomly between 79 or 23 RF channels for about 1,600 time a second
• Every channel is sectioned in time slots about 625 microseconds in duration 
• The master in a piconet sends signals in seven time slots while its slaves transmits signals in irregular time slots
• A packet’s width can be as much as five time slots and every data can range up to 2,745 bits long
• Synchronous Connection Oriented (SCO) and Asynchronous Connectionless (ACL) are the two types of data transfer
• Three SCO links that have 64,000 Bps are present in a piconet
• A master can hold up three SCO with one or two slaves
• Slots that are not held in reserve for SCO links can be utilized for ACL links
• A master and a slave can contain one ACL link
• ACL can be either point-to-point meaning master to a slave or transmit to all the slaves
• Slaves in an ACL link can only transmit when the master requests for it

These are the different Bluetooth specifications used in the latest methods of wireless technology. The Bluetooth technology is standardized and for sure it will be around for quite a long time.

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Different Bluetooth GPS Accessories

The idea of using your PDA as a GPS or Global Positioning System device is common and in fact, there are numerous GPS accessories available on the market for this purpose.  However, up until recently, these GPS units made use of a CompactFlash card slot or a wired configuration to hook up to the handheld unit. Some attach the PDA through a bulky apparatus. Oftentimes, the GPS unit itself is bulky and adds to the weight of a PDA not to mention ruins its compact and sleek design.

Today, thanks to the wireless technology known as Bluetooth, one can easily transform a PDA into a handheld GPS device that is fully-functional without the need for cables, expansion slots and other unsightly accessories. Set the GPS receiver somewhere with a clear sky view while holding or mounting the PDA for greater screen visibility and quick menu access.

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Bluetooth Profiles

The profile found in Bluetooth will describe how the technology is used. Profiles can be best described as vertical slices through the protocol stack. It will define options in each protocol that are mandatory for the profile.

The profile will also define the parameter ranges for each protocol. The concept of the profile is used to decrease the risk of interoperability problems between the different products. These profiles won't normally define any additions to the Bluetooth specification, which is why you can
add new profiles where you need them. The Bluetooth underlying technology is the same, only
the specific method that it's used is defined.

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Choosing A Bluetooth Headset

Creating a good wireless headset for Bluetooth is actually difficult to do. The regular wired headsets are easy to design - with ranging styles.

Bluetooth headsets can never be as small or as light as wired headsets, simply because it needs to include the battery and extra functions. This extra size will impact how the headset mounts on or around your ears.

Comfort
There seems to be two main styles of headsets for Bluetooth. Some are held into place with a loop around the ear. These styles are normally more comfortable, although they may be less secure. The others are held in place by being jammed into your ear - and usually prove to be less comfortable.

Factors to consider


Cost
The cost is an obvious issue, something that you really need to think about.

Ergonomics

1. Check to see if the device is easy to quickly and conveniently put on your ear then take it off again.
2. Are the control buttons on the headset easy to use?
3. The headset should be comfortable to wear for long phone calls.
4. Can you use it with a pair of glasses?
5. Check to see if you can wear it with either ear.
6. When you aren't wearing it, you'll need to se how you would carry it with you.
7. The weight is important as well, as you don't want something that has the risk of falling off.

Ease of use.

1. The commands and controls should be easy to remember.
2. The volume level should be easy to adjust.
3. The unit should turn on quickly.
4. The manual should be very well written and easy for you to understand.
5. There should be a support number for you to call if you should experience any types of problems.

Features

1. You'll need to know about the battery, the talk time, type, and how to tell when it is going dead or fully charged.
2. How many devices can the unit be paired with?
3. Compatability is also important, as well as the warranty period.
4. Check the sound quality for both sending and receiving audio.
5. What type of range does the headset offer you?

Other important capabilities include voice tags, last number redial, tranfer calls, 3 way calling, link to other phones, call reject, and mute. You'll also want to note if it looks attractive, and if it's too big or too small.

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Bluetooth Specifications

Below, you'll find several specifications for the well known Bluetooth:

1. Throughout the United States and even Europe, the range of frequency is 2,400 - 2,483.5 MHZ, with 79 1-MHz RF (radio frequency) channels. The frequency range in Japan is 2,472 to 2,497 MHz with 23 1-MHz RF channels.
2. A data channel of Bluetooth randomly hops 1,600 times per second between the 79 RF channels.
3. Each Bluetooth channel is divided into time slots, with each one being 625 microseconds long.
4. A Bluetooth piconet has one master and up to seven slaves. The master will transmit in even time slots, while the slaves will transmit in odd time slots.

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