The BCM1000-BTW for Microsoft Windows

Now a standard when talking about wireless connections, Bluetooth technology is truly an impressive “gateway” for various electronic devices to connect wirelessly. Successfully operating on a low power radio signal frequency, between 2.402 gigahertz to 2.480 gigahertz, it is quite a common integrated feature to many items of different classes, functions and purposes.

Picture transferring pictures from a Bluetooth equipped digital camera to a Bluetooth equipped computer system. Or visualize a Bluetooth equipped printer, printing documents by getting printing information through Bluetooth technology. These practical applications of Bluetooth technology simply define its superiority in the arena of wireless connections. Bluetooth basically works on the concept of Personal Area Networks, or PANs. The frequency it works on is known to have been set aside by international agreements as dedicated for Industrial, Scientific and Medical Devices’ purposes.

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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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What are Bluetooth Profile Definitions?

The Bluetooth technology, which is used for wireless connectivity, was an original concept by the Swedish phone maker Ericsson. Developed in 1994, the Bluetooth technology was a way to connect mobile devices with one another over short distances, typically up to 30 feet. Four years after, in 1998, Bluetooth pioneer Ericsson along with Nokia, IBM, Toshiba and Intel formed the consortium called the Bluetooth Special Interest Group in order to come up with a no-royalty and open Bluetooth specification.
Today, over 2000 mobile device manufacturers have joined the group and because of the broad range of devices using the Bluetooth technology, its specification includes all the information necessary to make sure that different devices that support the Bluetooth technology will be able to communicate and connect with each other around the globe.

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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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Connecting Many With Bluetooth

Constantly evolving, the technology of Bluetooth started off as a basic wireless connection standard but has since then been adapted and proven with many different uses and functions.

A good example is Bluetooth for cell phones. It enables mobile users to connect to their hands free headset without using wires. Bluetooth technology will also allow mobile phone users to connect with their hands free kit as well.

Another handy use of Bluetooth is file sharing. It allows the sharing of files between two cell phones, between a cell phone and computer, which makes the sharing of files a snap. If you have a cell phone and computer, you can easily transfer data between the two.

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Bluetooth Wireless Networking

Bluetooth technology offers three different types of defined ranges, based on output ranges. Class 1 devices are the most powerful, as they can have up to 100 mW of power, with a regular antenna giving them a range of around 130 - 330 feet.

The class 2 devices are lower power, offering up to 2.5 mW of power. A regular antenna will give them a range of around 50 - 100 feet. Class 3 devices use even less power, up to 1 mW of power to be exact. With a regular antenna, they will have a range of around 16 - 33 feet.

Even though you may not realize it, Bluetooth wireless technology has never been intended for anything other than short distance types of communication. With Bluetooth wireless, the short range is actually a benefit.

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Bluetooth Versions

Version 1.1 and earlier

Since the technology of Bluetooth was introduced in 1998, several specification versions have been released. Versions 1.0 and 1.0B had too many issues and problems for manufacturers to develop devices for Bluetooth. The main issue was the lack of communication among the devices.

The core specification version 1.1 is the first successful operating version of Bluetooth. Version 1.1 corrected a majority of the bugs and problems found in earlier versions.

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