BLUETOOTH TECHNOLOGY

 

1. INTRODUCTION TO BLUETOOTH

 

ABSTRACT:

              Bluetooth Wireless technology is the world's new short range RF transmission standard for small form factor, low cost, and short-range radio link between portable and desktop devices. This technology does not replace Wireless LANs rather it compliments them. Bluetooth wireless technology has many advantages over other Wireless LAN technologies, which makes it attractive to many applications. One such application is in the area of sensors and gauges on-board ships and submarines. If these are connected wirelessly, a huge amount of cables are eliminated and more user mobility is gained. This thesis studies the theories and principles of Bluetooth technology and discusses the approaches of connecting Bluetooth to sensors and gauges. Some of the Bluetooth products available in the market were acquired for testing and evaluation. In the course of the study, it was found that the technology was not mainly developed with sensor and gauge applications in mind. However, integrating sensors with Bluetooth modules can be achieved by one of two approaches. One approach requires an expensive Development Kit and is limited to manufacturers integrating Bluetooth technology into their sensor products in compliance with Bluetooth Specifications. The other inexpensive approach requires custom circuit designing and program coding and is preferred by university researchers.

OVERVIEW

            Bluetooth, the new technology named after the 10th Century Danish King Harold Bluetooth, is a hot topic among wireless developers. This article will provide an introduction to the technology.

 Bluetooth was designed to allow low bandwidth wireless connections to become so simple to use that they seamlessly integrate into your daily life. A simple example of a Bluetooth application is updating the phone directory of your mobile phone. Today, you would have to either manually enter the names and phone numbers of all your contacts or use a cable or IR link between your phone and your PC and start an application to synchronize the contact information. With Bluetooth, this could all happen automatically and without any user involvement as soon as the phone comes within range of the PC! Of course, you can easily see this expanding to include your calendar, to do list, memos, email, etc.. This is just one of many exciting applications for this new technology! Can you imagine walking into a store and having all the sale items automatically available on your cell phone or PDA? It is a definite possibility with Bluetooth.

 

The Bluetooth specification is an open specification that is governed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The Bluetooth SIG is lead by its five founding companies and four new member companies who were added in late 1999. These nine companies form the Promoter Group of the Bluetooth SIG:

More than 1200 additional companies are members of the Bluetooth SIG. The magnitude of industry involvement should ensure that Bluetooth becomes a widely adopted technology. The first Bluetooth products should begin to appear this year. The first Bluetooth product from Ericsson is a wireless cellular phone headset to be available in Europe in mid-2000.

 

Definition

            BlueTooth is a specification for the use of low-power radio communications to wirelessly link phones, computers and other network devices over short distances. The name "Bluetooth" is borrowed from Harald Bluetooth, a king in Denmark more than 1,000 years ago.

 Bluetooth technology was designed primarily to support simple wireless networking of personal consumer devices and peripherals, including cell phones, PDAs, and wireless headsets. Wireless signals transmitted with Bluetooth cover short distances, typically up to 30 feet (10 meters). Bluetooth devices generally communicate at less than 1 Mbps.

 

Bluetooth networks feature a dynamic topology called a piconet or PAN. Piconets contain a minimum of two and a maximum of eight Bluetooth peer devices. Devices communicate using protocols that are part of the Bluetooth Specification. Definitions for multiple versions of the Bluetooth specification exist including versions 1.1, 1.2 and 2.0.

 

Although the Bluetooth standard utilizes the same 2.4 Ghz range as 802.11b and 802.11g, Bluetooth technology is not a suitable Wi-Fi replacement. Compared to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth networking is much slower, a bit more limited in range, and supports many fewer devices.

 

As is true for Wi-Fi and other wireless technologies today, concerns with Bluetooth technology include security and interoperability with other networking standards. Bluetooth was ratified as IEEE 802.15.

 

 

History of Bluetooth:

            The name “Bluetooth” and its logo are trademarked by the privately held trade association named the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).

 

            Founded in September 1998, the Bluetooth SIG is a unification of leaders This ad zapped. in the telecommunications, computing, network, industrial automation, and Automotive industries. Today, the Bluetooth SIG is responsible for encouraging and supporting research and development in  Bluetooth technology.

 

            The Bluetooth SIG includes promoter member companies Microsoft,     Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Agere, Motorola, Nokia, and Toshiba, plus thousands of Associate and Adopter member companies (BlueTomorrow.com's parent company, SP Commerce LLC, is a licensed and certified Adopter member of  the Bluetooth SIG).

 

 

Why is It Called Bluetooth?

            The developers of this wireless technology first used the  name "Bluetooth" as a code name, but as time past, the name stuck.  The word "Bluetooth" is taken from the 10th century Danish King  Harald Bluetooth. King Bluetooth had been influential in uniting   Scandinavian Europe during an era when the region was torn apart by wars and feuding clans.

 

1.      The founders of the Bluetooth SIG felt the name was fitting because:
Bluetooth technology was first developed in Scandinavia, and

2.      Bluetooth technology is able to unite differing industries such as the                        cell phone, computing, and automotive markets. Bluetooth wireless                    technology simplifies and combines multiple forms of wireless                    communication into a single, secure, low-power, low-cost, globally                     available radio frequency.

 

Where Did the Logo Come From?

            A Scandinavian firm originally designed the logo at the time the SIG was formally introduced to the public. Keeping to the same origin as the  Bluetooth name, the logo unites the Runic alphabetic characters "H", which looks similar to an asterisk, and a "B", which are the initials for Harald Bluetooth. If you look close enough you can see both embodied in the logo.

 Bluetooth Technology Over the Years

            When Bluetooth was officially introduced in 1998, its intended basic  purpose was to be a wire replacement technology in order to rapidly transfer voice and data.

            There were many doubters who believed Bluetooth would be a distant memory in just a couple of years. However, multiple years have passed and Bluetooth ontinues to make strides and advancements everyday.

            A lot has changed since the first Bluetooth Core Specification Version was introduced in 1998. Over the past couple years Bluetooth technology has really begun to take giant leaps forward.

            In 2003, the Bluetooth SIG began a major overhaul of the Bluetooth  specification with the announcement of version 2.1. Then, in 2004, Bluetooth version 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) was introduced. Devices using version 2.0 + EDR began to hit the market in late 2005.

2. FUNDAMENTALS

 

Concepts :

 

            Bluetooth® wireless technology is an open specification for a wireless personal area network (PAN). It  provides  limited range wireless connectivity for voice and data transmissions between information appliances. Bluetooth wireless technology eliminates the need for  interconnecting cables. Unique for most wireless communications systems, Bluetooth enables ad hoc networking among devices, without the need for infrastructure such as base stations or access points.

 

            Bluetooth wireless technology allows seamless interconnectivity among devices. Imagine your computer synchronizing files and databases with your personal digital assistant (PDA), simply because you carried the PDA into the vicinity of the PC. Wireless headsets can simplify hands-free operation of mobile phones as a convenient and safe way to talk while driving. The potential of this technology is limitless when one considers the growing sector of information appliances that would benefit from wireless connectivity. This application note describes transmitter and receiver measurements to test and verify Bluetooth RF including enhanced data rate (EDR) designs. Test procedures range from manual intervention or custom software control, to easy-to-use, one-button measurements.

 

 Working :

Connection Setup Procedures

            Authentication procedure is triggered after determining the security level of the requested service in order to allow different service requirements for different applications without user intervention. Figure 9 illustrates the sequence of functions that are performed to gain The functions are performed in the following order:

1.      Connection request is made to L2CAP;

2.      L2CAP requests access information from the Security Manager;

3.      Security Manager queries the Service Database for service permissions;

4.      Security Manager looks up the Device Database for trust level;

5.      Security Manager enforces authentication and encryption at the Host Control Interface (HCI) level if required;

6.      Security Manager grants access;

7.      L2CAP continues to setup the connection by sending the packet to the Application level.

3. Architecture

 

Bluetooth protocol stack:

The complete Bluetooth protocol stack has been designed to include the existing protocols as much as possible (like TCP, UDP, OBEX) as well as Bluetooth specific protocols like LMP and L2CAP. The protocol reuse ensures smooth interoperability between existing applications and hardware. The Specification is also open, thereby allowing vendors to build proprietary applications. Although different applications may run over different protocol stacks, they all use the Bluetooth data link and physical layers. The Applications layer lies on top of the vCard (internal object representation convention) layer. 

 

Topology	Supports up to 8 simultaneous links in a piconet
Flexibility	Goes through walls, bodies, clothes, ...
Data Rate	1 MSPS, 721 Kbps
Power	0.1 Watts active power
Size/Weight	25 mm × 13 mm × 2 mm, several grams
Cost	Long term $5 per endpoint
Range	10 meters or less; up to 100 meters with PA
Universal	Intended to work worldwide
Security	Very, link layer security, SS radio

Table 1: Bluetooth features at a glance.

Protocols in Bluetooth Architecture:

Bluetooth Core Protocols

1.      Baseband

2.      Link Manager Protocol

3.      Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol

4.      Service Discovery Protocol

5.      Cable Replacement Protocol

6. Telephony Control Protocol
7. Adopted Protocols

 

Baseband: It deals with connection establishment within a piconet, addressing, packet format, timing and power control. The Baseband and Link Control Layer enables the RF link Bluetooth units in a piconet.

 

Link Manager Protocol (LMP): The link manager protocol is responsible for setting up link channels between Bluetooth devices and ongoing link management. This protocol includes security parts such as authentication and encryption plus the control and negotiation of Baseband packet sizes.

Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP): It maintains upper-layer protocols of the Baseband layer. L2CAP provides connectionless as well as connection-oriented services.

 

Service Discovery Protocol (SDP): It gives detail device information, services and the characteristics of the services that can be required to enable the establishment of a connection between two or more Bluetooth devices.

 

Cable Replacement Protocol (RFCOMM): RFCOMM is a serial line emulation protocol.  RFCOMM provides the replacement of serial port cables with the minimum adjustment of existing devices. RFCOMM provides binary data transportation and emulates control signals over the Bluetooth Baseband layer.

 

Telephony Control Protocol: The Telephony Control - Binary (TCS Binary) and Telephony Control - AT Commands are used to establish speech and data calls between devices and control mobile phones and modems respectively.

 

Adopted Protocols: Bluetooth also supports PPP, TCP/UDP/IP, OBEX and WAP protocols to maximize interoperability.  The Bluetooth policy is to invent only necessary protocols and use existing standards whenever possible. Following are the adopted protocols:

 

·        PPP - The point-to-point protocol is an Internet protocol used for transporting IP datagram over a point-to-point link.

·        TCP/UDP/IP - These are the basic protocols of the TCP/IP protocol suite.

·        OBEX - The object exchange protocol is a session protocol for the exchange of objects developed by the Infrared Data Association (IrDA). OBEX offers functionality similar to that of HTTP. Its model is used for representing objects and operations.

·        WAE/WAP - Bluetooth includes the wireless application environment and wireless application protocol into its architecture.

 

BLUETOOTH USB & iNTERNAL CARD

 

            A personal computer must have a Bluetooth adapter in order to be able to communicate with other Bluetooth devices (such as mobile phones, mice and keyboards). While some desktop computers and most recent laptops come with a built-in Bluetooth adapter, others will require an external one in the form of a dongle.

            Unlike its predecessor, IrDA, which requires a separate adapter for each device, Bluetooth allows multiple devices to communicate with a computer over a single adapter.

4. CASES

 

 

An Example of Bluetooth in Action

 

The Wireless Office :

 

            Imagine a modern day office with various hi-tech, yet common electronic                  devices.

 

            The first thing an office should have are the basic essentials: a computer, keyboard, mouse, printer and phone. Next, lets say there is a Headset that works with the phone.

 

            Now that we have all the basics, lets make this office a little more exciting  by adding some fun "toys", like a PDA, digital camera and MP3 player. By now you should have a pretty good picture of the office and the various devices in it.

 

            Every device is connected, or is capable of being connected to at least one  other device. For example, the keyboard and mouse have to connect to the  computer and the PDA has the option to connect to the computer. Just imagine if all these devices used cables to connect to one another. The  office would have cables running everywhere and we'd be left with a big,  tangled mess.

 

            Now imagine all of these devices use Bluetooth technology to connect to  one another instead. The result: no more cables and no more mess.  Suppose the Bluetooth enabled printer comes with a Bluetooth Computer  Adapter   that plugs into the computer's universal serial bus (USB) port. The company that manufactured the printer and computer adapter programmed each device with the same Bluetooth profiles.

 

            Bluetooth profiles are used by devices to instruct them on how to use the        Bluetooth technology. Profiles define the application(s) of Bluetooth technology (To learn more about profiles, click: Bluetooth Profiles).

 

            After the printer is turned on, it transmits a signal, which looks for a  response from other Bluetooth enabled devices with the same profile(s). Since  the USB adapter shares the same profile(s), it responds and a small network  (AKA: Piconet) is created.

 

            Since this piconet is established between devices with the same specific  profiles, the signals sent by other devices with different profiles, like the  headset, will be ignored. All the other Bluetooth devices in the room establish  similar piconets that are all separated from one another based on the specific  profile(s) they use.

 

            Our "dream" office now has several different piconets operating  simultaneously, and each one knows which Bluetooth devices to communicate  with and which signals to ignore. It is highly unlikely that any two piconets  will interfere with one anther because each is changing its frequencies all of   the time.

 

Bluetooth Cell Phones :

 

Walk down the street. It’s virtually impossible not to see someone talking on their cell phone. Over the last ten years, cell phones have become a necessity, not a luxury. Bluetooth technology, allowing for wireless, streaming use of these devices, makes them more convenient and practical.

 

As with all Bluetooth technology, Bluetooth cell phones use radio waves to transmit from your cell phone to a headset or earpiece that is totally wireless. No wires to clip to your belt or shuffle around your handbag.

 

There is no need to set up an access from your Bluetooth cell phone to your headset. Most models of Bluetooth cell phones are able to work with most headsets simply by “finding” it, via radio waves. Using the options on your phone, you can search out any compatible Bluetooth headset in range and sync them up. Accept your headset option, and from that point on, when your Bluetooth cell phone is on, it will search for your headset.

The range of use of your accessories depends on the level of Bluetooth technology that your phone employs, but more often than not, they use either version 1.1 or 1.2 and have a 30 foot range of use between accessories and the Bluetooth cell phone.

 

Several options exist for Bluetooth cell phone car kits that plug directly into your car and are accessible wirelessly. Push button or voice options exist for calling and music selections in many of these devices, and your Bluetooth cell phone is functional as soon as you turn on your car.

 

Many cell phones also have web or music options, playing wither MP3 or WMA formats. Bluetooth cell phones allow for wireless or voice music streaming and control as well as Internet use.

 

Does your state have laws about driving while using a cell phone? Chances are, if it doesn’t, it soon will. While some states, like New Jersey and New York have completely banned cell phone use while driving, there are partial bans in others like Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, while other states have not yet tackled the issue. Fines and loss of driving privileges wait for drivers using hand-held cell phones while driving. Accident statistics and new safety laws are the culprits of these new laws and Bluetooth cell phones are the answer.

 

Many headsets have voice-control options for both music and talk. Thanks to the hands-free capability, there is no need to drive one-handed while talking, thus eliminating much of the risk of talking in the car. There is no longer a need to miss a call while on the road, or for risking a ticket or an accident by holding a cell phone while driving.

            Bluetooth cell phones allow users constant, hassle-free, wire-free use of their phones, whether in the car or in the home.

5. TRENDS

 

 

The Advantages of Bluetooth

1.      Bluetooth Devices are Wireless :

If you navigate through the rest of our site you will learn that there are  This ad zapped. tons of advantages/benefits when using wireless devices. In addition to improving safety as a result of eliminating the clutter of wires and associated hazardous connections, wireless technology also offers many  convenient advantages. For example, when you are traveling with your laptop, PDA, MP3 player and other devices, you no longer have to worry about bringing along all of your connecting cables.

 

2.      Bluetooth Technology is Inexpensive :

            Bluetooth technology is cheap for companies to implement, which results in lower over-all manufacturing Costs. These savings are then passed on to you, the consumer. The end result: Bluetooth devices are relatively inexpensive.

 

3.      Bluetooth is Automatic :

Bluetooth doesn't require you to think about setting up a connection or to push any buttons. When two or more Bluetooth devices enter a range (Up to 30 feet) of one another, they automatically begin to communicate without you having to do anything. Once the communicating begins, Bluetooth devices will setup Personal Area Networks or Piconets. The best part is: The devices take care of the entire setup process, and you can go about your business. 

 

4.      Standardized Protocol = Interoperability :

       Since Bluetooth is a standardized wireless specification, a high level of  compatibility among devices is guaranteed. The Bluetooth specification uses and defines various profiles. Every Bluetooth profile is specific to a particular function. For instance, when a Bluetooth enabled cell phone and a Bluetooth headset (Both with the same profile) are communicating with one another, both will understand each other without the user having to do anything, even if the devices are of different models/makes.

 

5.      Low Interference :

Bluetooth devices avoid interference with other wireless devices by: a) Using a technique known as spread-spectrum frequency hopping, and b) Using low power wireless signals.

 

6.      Low Energy Consumption

As stated above, Bluetooth uses low power signals. As a result, the technology requires little energy and will therefore use less battery or electrical power. Obviously, this is a great benefit for mobile devices because Bluetooth won't drain the life of your device's battery.

 

7.      Share Voice and Data

The Bluetooth standard allows compatible devices to share both voice and data communications. For example, it is probably no surprise that a Bluetooth enabled cell phone is capable of sharing voice communications with  a compatible Bluetooth headset, however, the same cell phone may also be capable of establishing a GPRS connection to the Internet. Then, using Bluetooth, the phone can connect to a laptop. The result: The laptop is capable of surfing the web or sending and receiving email.

 

8.      Instant Personal Area Network (PAN) :

       Up to seven compatible Bluetooth devices can connect to one another within a proximity of up to 30 feet, forming a PAN or piconet. Multiple piconets can be automatically setup for a single room.

 

9.      Upgradeable :

      The Bluetooth standard is upgradeable. A development group at the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) has been given the task of working on the new Bluetooth version 2, which offers several new advantages and is backward compatible with the older versions.

 

10. The Technology is Here to Stay :

            Bluetooth is a universal, world-wide, wireless standard. Therefore, you can count on it being around for years to come. As more devices begin to use Bluetooth technology, electronics manufacturers will be increasingly eager to make their products compatible, using Bluetooth. A chain reaction is inevitable, in fact, it has already begun

 

What are the Applications?

            Bluetooth has a tremendous potential in moving and synchronizing information in a localized setting. Potential for Bluetooth applications is huge, because we transact business and communicate with people - a natural phenomenon of human interaction.

 

            The following list represents only a small set of potential applications - in future many more imaginative applications will come along: 

 

·        By installing a Bluetooth network in your office you can do away with the                  complex and tedious task of networking between the computing devices, yet             have the power of connected devices. No bound to fixed locations where we  can connect to the network. Each Bluetooth device could be connected to 200 other devices making the connection possible between  every device. Since it supports both point to point and point to multipoint it will virtually make the maximum number of simultaneously linked devices unlimited.

·        The Bluetooth technology connects all your office peripherals wirelessly.              Connect your PC or notebook to printers, scanners and faxes without the ugly             and trouble some cable attachments. You can increase your freedom by             connecting your mouse or the keyboard wirelessly to your computer.

·        If your digital cameras in Bluetooth enabled, you can send still or video             images without the hassle of connecting your camera to the mobile phone on the wireline phone.

·        Bluetooth allows us to have three way phones. At home, your phone functions             as a portable phone (fixed line charge). When you're on the move, it functions             as a mobile phone (cellular charge). And when your phone comes within             range of another mobile phone with built-in Bluetooth wireless technology it             functions as a walkie-talkie (no telephony charge).

·        In meetings and conferences you can transfer selected documents instantly                 with selected participants, and exchange electronic business cards             automatically, without any wired connections.

·        Automatic Message Delivery: Compose e-mails on your portable PC while                          you're on an airplane. As soon as you've landed and switched on your mobile             phone, all messages are immediately sent.

·        Upon arriving at your home, the door automatically unlocks for you, the entry              way lights come on, and the heat is adjusted to your pre-set preferences.

·        IBM researchers are working on a number of personal devices like a            Watch Pad that could be connected with other devices through Bluetooth.  The            Watch Pad is very thin and contains 8MB of RAM. They are also working on             version of Cyber Phone called CyberPhone - that can project data onto a small             mirror. The CyberPhone can show as much information as a small PDA             because of high resolution VGA screen.

 

Bluetooth Security

 

The Bluetooth SIG Focuses on Security :

            The Bluetooth SIG is constantly improving formats for combating security threats associated with Bluetooth technology. Offering a secure method to wirelessly communicate has always been one of the key benefits of Bluetooth technology. In The History of Bluetooth, offering secure data transmission was one of the core principles for its creation.

 

In order to lead the security effort, a group of engineers within the  Bluetooth SIG formed the Bluetooth Security Experts Group. As the Bluetooth Core Specification Versions continue to advance, the Bluetooth Security Experts Group is responsible for monitoring the advancement and testing for flaws in its security.

 

The Fundamentals of Bluetooth Security :

One of the most basic levels of security for Bluetooth devices is the “pairing” process. Two or more Bluetooth devices recognizeeach other by the Bluetooth Profiles  and in most cases, both must  enter the same PIN.

 

            The Bluetooth core specifications use an encryption algorithm, which is entirely secure. Bluetooth devices will not communicate with each other until they have successfully paired. So, because of this pairing process and the fact that it has a short range, Bluetooth technology is considered to be fundamentally secure.

 

How Developers Can Provide Security

There are three security modes for connecting two

Bluetooth devices:

·        Security Mode 1: non-secure

·        Security Mode 2: service level enforced security

·        Security Mode 3: link level enforced security

 

            It is the company who develops each specific Bluetooth product that  decides which security modes to use. Also, the devices and services have different security levels as well. For example, devices use two levels: "trusted  device" and "untrusted device". After a trusted device is connected to another  device, it has unrestricted access to all services. As far as services, there are three security levels which are defined: services that require authorization and authentication, services that require authentication only and services that are open to all devices.

 

What is Bluejacking?

            Bluejacking allows phone users to send business cards anonymously to one another using Bluetooth technology. Bluejacking does NOT involve any altercations to your phone's data. These business cards usually consist of some clever message or joke. Bluejackers are simply looking for a reaction from the recipient. To ignore bluejackers, simply reject the business card, or if you want to avoid them entirely, set your phone to non-discoverable mode

 

What is Bluesnarfing?

            Bluesnarfing refers to a hacker who has gained access to data, which is stored on a Bluetooth enabled phone. Bluesnarfing allows the hacker to make phone calls, send and receive text messages, read and write phonebook contacts, eavesdrop on phone conversations, and connect to the Internet. The good news is, bluesnarfing requires advanced equipment and expertise or requires the hacker to be within a 30 ft. range. If your phone is in non-discoverable mode, it becomes significantly more difficult for hackers to bluesnarf your phone. According to the Bluetooth SIG, only some older Bluetooth enabled phones are vunerable to bluesnarfing.

 

What is Bluebugging?

            Bluebugging refers to a skilled hacker who has accessed a cell phone's commands using Bluetooth technology without the owner's permission or knowledge. Bluebugging allows the hacker to make phone calls, send messages, read and write contacts and calendar events, eavesdrop on phone conversations, and connect to the Internet. Just like all Bluetooth attacks, the hacker must be within a 30 ft. range. Bluebugging and bluesnarfing are separate security issues, and phones that are vulnerable to one are not necessarily vulnerable to the other.

 

What are Phone Manufacturers Doing to Solve These Problems?

Two of the leading cell phone manufacturers, Nokia and Sony Ericsson, have developed software patches for phones susceptible to bluesnarfing and bluebugging. Also, both manufacturers have taken great measures to ensure new phones entering the market will not be susceptible to these attacks.

 

 

Bluetooth Core Specification Versions

Bluetooth Specification Version 1.1 and Earlier :

Several Bluetooth specification versions have been released since 1998. Versions 1.0 and 1.0B had too many problems and restraints for                                      manufacturers to successfully develop Bluetooth devices. The main issue was the lack of interoperability among  devices.

 

            The Bluetooth Core Specification version 1.1 is the first truly successful operating version of Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth 1.1 corrected many of the problems found in the earlier versions. As a result: Devices using Bluetooth 1.1 have much greater interoperability.

 

Bluetooth Version 1.2 :

Many new Bluetooth devices, like the latest cell phones, are being  sold with the newer Bluetooth specification version 1.2.The new features/benefits that the  Bluetooth 1.2 offer are:

·        Backward compatible with Bluetooth 1.1

·        Adaptive Frequency Hopping - helps reduce radio interference by  eliminating the use of crowded frequencies  in the hopping sequence

·        Faster transmission speeds (1 Mbps)

·        Extended Synchronous Connections Oriented links - improves  voice quality of audio connections by enabling retransmissions of corrupted  data.

·        Received Signal Strength Indicator

·        Host Controller Interface (HCI) support for 3-wire UART

·        HCI access to timing information for Bluetooth applications

 

Bluetooth Version 2.0 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate)  :

There may be multiple communication technologies, but they all share one thing in common: Faster is better. The Bluetooth SIG is  working for improving the speeds of Bluetooth version 1.2.

 

Bluetooth version 2.0 + EDR was announced by the Bluetooth SIG in June 2004 and began appearing in Bluetooth devices in late 2005. Bluetooth version 2.0 + EDR delivers data transfer rates up to three times faster than the original Bluetooth specification. Bluetooth version + EDR also provides enhanced multiple-connectivity. With

 

Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, users will be able to more efficiently run multiple Bluetooth devices at the same time. As a result, Bluetooth Personal-Area Networks (PAN) or Piconets will become more common.

             The main enhance ments/features found with Bluetooth Specification Version 2.0 + EDR :

·        Backward compatible with previous Bluetooth versions

·        Three times faster transmission speed (10 times in some cases)

·        Enhanced data rate of up to 3 Mbps

·        Lower power consumption due to reduced duty cycles

·        Broadcast/multicast support

·        Simplification of multi-link scenarios due to more available  bandwidth

·        Distributed media-access control protocols

·        Further improved Bit Error Rate performance

 

6. Future of Bluetooth

 

• Broadcast Channel: enables Bluetooth information points. This will drive the adoption of Bluetooth into mobile phones, and enable advertising models based around users pulling information from the information points, and not based around the object push model that is used in a limited way today.

 

• Topology Management: enables the automatic configuration of the piconet topologies especially in scatternet situations that are becoming more common today. This should all be invisible to the users of the technology, while also making the technology just work.

 

• Alternate MAC PHY: enables the use of alternative MAC and PHY's for transporting Bluetooth profile data. The Bluetooth Radio will still be used for device discovery, initial connection and profile configuration, however when lots of data needs to be sent, the high speed alternate MAC PHY's will be used to transport the data. This means that the proven low power connection models of Bluetooth are used when the system is idle, and the low power per bit radios are used when lots of data needs to be sent.

 

• QoS improvements: enable audio and video data to be transmitted at a higher quality, especially when best effort traffic is being transmitted in the same piconet.

            The fact that thousands of companies have invested considerable sums of money in Bluetooth also indicates that the technology will be promoted for quite some time to come. SIG is determined not to let Bluetooth technology become obsolete in light of newer technology. On May 4, 2005, SIG announced its intent to work with the developers of ultra-wide band (UWB) in order to combine strengths of both technologies. UWB is faster, more secure, and can transfer larger amounts of data than Bluetooth,including high resolution video. By partnering with UWB, SIG has ensured that Bluetooth will be able to compete with new technology. With a sound plan for the future, little competition, and consumers chomping at the bit for more, it appears that Bluetooth technology is here to stay.

 

7. Conclusion

Bluetooth is aimed at the short range radio link market. Its scheme does not fit in the senario of broad range network like WAN or Internet. However, Wapforum's solution is designed intendly to be as the internet standards. So They have different playground. Actually, one can integrate them together,use Bluetooth as a bearer for transporting data between the WAP clients and their adjacent WAP Server. [BLUE]

However, concerned with the security feature, WAP get a stronger and more flexible one. It use public key scheme to excange the secret key which is used in symmetric-key algorithm to encrypt the user data. So when gainingsecurity strength, at the same time it also obtain a comparative good performance. But the Bluetooth depends its security on the PIN code which is used to generate the initialization key. Considering it aimed to be used in a short range, such security may be enough, though obviously weaker than WAP's.