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Bluetooth - You are Connected

  
 
 

We are entering the era of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, where each device connects remotely to one another, and the world wide web. This makes them smart in the way of integration to Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning and Data analysis. There are number of network protocols that facilitate this peer to peer communication be it ZigBee, Matter etc. More on that later. 
 
What is Bluetooth 
Invented  in 1994 by Ericsson and widely used, Bluetooth allows for short distance communication, within 10 meter radius. The data speed is between 1 Mbps and 3 Mbps. The bandwidth is in the range of 2.4 GHz to 2.485 GHz.
 
Frequency Hopping Unfold Spectrum
This is the underlying tech used in Bluetooth. Data signals by default have low frequency, and high bandwidth. This makes them prone to distortion, affecting long distance transmission. Also the receiving antennas  have to be large in size which is a limitation for mobile phones or laptops.
 
The above issues are resolved by superimposing the data signal to a high frequency carrier wave. This procedure is known as Modulation. There are different techniques including frequency or amplitude modulation. 
 
Bits can be varied during transmission, allowing for more data transfer, and multiple user participation within a network, which are other advantages of modulation. 
 
In FHUS, small packets of data is passed to the receiver, at different carrier frequency.  The receiver then compares them, selecting the least distorted. This allows for high clarity, less noise to signal ratio. The variation in the carrier frequency is produced by a pseudo random signal generator, within the transmitter. 

Types of Network
There are two main types of Bluetooth topology.

1. Pico Net
This uses a Master Slave configuration for transmitting data. There is a primary node known as the Master, and seven secondary (Slave) nodes. Communication occurs between one to one or one to many. There should be at least one Master in the data transmission. Slave to slave communication is not allowed. There is also 255 parking nodes, within the network. They need to change their status into active, to participate in the data transfer.
 
2. Scatter Net
Here two different network can merge into a single network, by means of slave node. Here slave node from one network acts as a master in the other, and initiates data transfer. A Master node cannot be used as the intermediate node. 
 
Advantages of Bluetooth
  • Can penetrate walls,  allowing for more coverage area.
  • Can transmit both voice and data packets.
  • Supports Ad Hoc networks. These networks do not require a central hub like routers, modem for data transmission. Devices connect with one another independently allowing peer to peer communication. Also when a device disconnects, the network automatically adjusts preventing interruption for other devices. 
 
Learn more
 
 
 

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