Enabling the Bluetooth adapter on different versions of Windows. What is Bluetooth and how does it work
Translated from Danish into English, Bluetooth means “blue-toothed”. This was the name of the Danish king Harold I for his peculiarity - a dark front tooth. This king also became famous for being able to unite several warring Danish tribes. Bluetooth also has the ability to unite, not tribes, but communication protocols into one universal standard. The development of Bluetooth technology belongs to the Ericsson company; to implement this idea, in 1999 an association of well-known world brands Toshiba, Sony, IBM, Intel, Nokia and many others was created under one name SIG (Bluetooth Special Interest Group).
Using radio waves in the ISM range (2.4-2.48 GHz - a range not subject to licensing) Bluetooth designed to provide wireless communication between devices such as: cell phones, printers, computers, digital cameras, headphones, cameras and so on. The transmit signal is called Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) and is a broadband signal. In Bluetooth, using the frequency hopping method, the frequency of the FHSS carrier signal changes abruptly 1600 times per second, 79 operating frequencies are used for this purpose. For each connection, the frequency changes in a pseudo-random manner.
According to these changes, every 625 μs they synchronously move from one frequency to another. This sequence of changes connects several receiver-transmitter pairs without blocking the operation of other connection pairs. The peculiarity of signal transmission is that the transmitted information remains confidential. Digital data and audio signals are encoded differently: the audio signal is usually not repeated, and digital data is retransmitted if lost. With the help of such signals, devices can transmit information to each other at a distance of 10 - 100 meters, even when located in different rooms.
For many people, such devices seem complicated and unnecessary. We are accustomed to a more familiar connection using a cable. It is Bluetooth technology that opens up information connections between various devices in a completely new way. Bluetooth devices are essential in modern life and are used for work, leisure and entertainment. Bluetooth devices include headsets, car kits, speakers and others. One of the most popular devices is Bluetooth headset, designed for speakerphone. Bluetooth for phones also allows you to talk on the phone without holding it in your hands.
Usually we take Bluetooth for a laptop for granted, but whether the Bluetooth function is installed or the Bluetooth settings for the computer are lost - this can be easily checked through the “device manager”, Bluetooth will be listed in the network adapters, but if it is not there - download bluetooth and installing it will not be particularly difficult. Bluetooth equipment is characterized by reliability, resistance to broadband interference, cost-effectiveness, and low power and energy consumption.
Most Bluetooth devices have a separate USB interface and an internal antenna. Such devices can interact with both personal computers and laptops. They are considered universal, but there is also a category of devices that are intended for installation inside computers. They are made in the form of boards located in the slots of computer motherboards (reminiscent of USB flash drives). Thanks to the sensitivity of the external antenna, the range of Bluetooth devices can be extended up to 200 meters.
Many people believe that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are the same thing, but this is a deep misconception. Bluetooth was created to transfer data between two devices with a range of up to 100 meters, it works according to its standards Bluetooth 1.0 and Bluetooth 2.0 and others, it is also very easy to use, using Bluetooth you can only create a personal network PAN. WiFi- this is also a wireless communication standard, the range of which can reach 300 meters, Wi-Fi operates in accordance with 802.11 b/g/n/ standards with the mandatory use of an adapter (router) for communication, creates a wireless local network WLAN, in which several various devices.
The presence of Bluetooth technology allows for interactive conferences, Internet bridges, automatic data synchronization between different digital devices, allows you to enjoy a cable-free desktop, and also solves various network problems at home and in the office. Bluetooth in a laptop will please its owner when traveling or on business trips. To buy Bluetooth, you should definitely consult with the seller and clarify the specific features of this type of technology.
Bluetooth technology is effectively spreading in the global market for the latest technologies. Bluetooth headsets for mobile phones, laptops, printers, keyboards, and mice are being actively produced. The Bluetooth standard development company is focused on improving Bluetooth wireless communications and bringing new Bluetooth profiles to life.
Bluetooth ensures the exchange of information between devices such as personal computers (desktop, pocket, laptops), mobile phones, printers, digital cameras, mice, keyboards, joysticks, headphones, headsets on a reliable, free, universally available radio frequency for short-range communication.
Bluetooth allows these devices to communicate when they are within a radius of up to 100 meters from each other (range varies greatly depending on obstacles and interference), even in different rooms.
Name and logo
The word Bluetooth is the English translation of the Danish word "Blåtand" ("Blue-toothed"). This nickname was worn by King Harald I, who ruled Denmark and part of Norway in the 10th century and united the warring Danish tribes into a single kingdom. The implication is that Bluetooth does the same with communication protocols, combining them into one universal standard. Although "blå" means "blue" in modern Scandinavian languages, in Viking times it could also mean "black in color." Thus, it would be historically correct to translate the Danish Harald Blåtand as Harald Blacktooth rather than Harald Bluetooth.
Bluetooth logo is a combination of two Nordic (“Scandinavian”) runes: “Hagall” - an analogue of the Latin H and “Berkanan” - the Latin B. The logo is similar to the older logo for Beauknit Textiles, a division of the Beauknit Corporation. It uses a fusion of reflected K and B for "Beauknit" and is wider and has rounded corners, but is basically the same.
History of creation and development
Bluetooth Specification was developed by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG), which was founded in 1998. It included Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Toshiba and Nokia. Subsequently, the Bluetooth SIG and the IEEE reached an agreement whereby the Bluetooth specification became part of the IEEE 802.15.1 standard (published June 14, 2002). Ericsson Mobile Communication began work on creating Bluetooth in 1994. Initially, this technology was tailored to the needs of the FLYWAY system for a functional interface between travelers and the system.
How Bluetooth works
The operating principle is based on the use of radio waves. Bluetooth radio communication is carried out in the ISM band (Industry, Science and Medicine), which is used in various household appliances and wireless networks (licensing-free range 2.4-2.4835 GHz). Bluetooth uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). The FHSS method is easy to implement, provides immunity to broadband interference, and the equipment is inexpensive.
According to the FHSS algorithm, in Bluetooth the carrier frequency of the signal changes abruptly 1600 times per second (in total, 79 operating frequencies with a width of 1 MHz are allocated, and in Japan, France and Spain the band already has 23 frequency channels). The sequence of switching between frequencies for each connection is pseudo-random and is known only to the transmitter and receiver, which synchronously switch from one carrier frequency to another every 625 μs (one time slot). Thus, if several receiver-transmitter pairs operate nearby, they do not interfere with each other. This algorithm is also an integral part of the system for protecting the confidentiality of transmitted information: the transition occurs according to a pseudo-random algorithm and is determined separately for each connection. When transmitting digital data and audio (64 kbit/s in both directions), different encoding schemes are used: the audio signal is not repeated (as a rule), and digital data will be retransmitted if a packet of information is lost.
Bluetooth 1.0
Device versions 1.0 (1998) and 1.0B had poor compatibility between products from different manufacturers. In 1.0 and 1.0B, it was mandatory to transmit the device address (BD_ADDR) at the handshake stage, which made it impossible to implement connection anonymity at the protocol level and was the main drawback of this specification.
Bluetooth 1.1
Bluetooth 1.1 fixed many bugs found in 1.0B, added support for unencrypted channels, and received signal strength indication (RSSI).
Bluetooth 1.2
Version 1.2 added adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) technology, which improves immunity to electromagnetic interference (interference) by using staggered frequencies in the tuning sequence. The transmission speed also increased and eSCO technology was added, which improved the quality of voice transmission by repeating damaged packets. HCI has added support for a three-wire UART interface.
Major improvements include the following:
Fast connection and discovery.
Adaptive frequency hopping with spread spectrum (AFH), which improves immunity to radio interference.
Higher data transfer rates than in 1.1, almost up to 721 kbit/s.
Enhanced Synchronous Coupling (eSCO), which improves the voice quality of an audio stream by allowing damaged packets to be retransmitted, and can optionally increase audio latency to better support parallel data transfers.
Support for a three-wire UART interface has been added to the Host Controller Interface (HCI).
Approved as IEEE Standard 802.15.1-2005.
Flow Control and Retransmission Modes have been introduced for L2CAP.
Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
Bluetooth version 2.0 was released on November 10, 2004. It is backward compatible with previous 1.x versions. The main innovation is support for Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) to speed up data transfer. The nominal speed of EDR is about 3 Mbit/s, but in practice this allowed increasing the data transfer rate only to 2.1 Mbit/s. Additional performance is achieved using various radio technologies for data transmission.
The standard (base) data rate uses GFSK modulation of the radio signal at a transmission rate of 1 Mbit/s. EDR uses a combination of GFSK and PSK modulations with two options, π/4-DQPSK and 8DPSK. They have high data transfer rates over the air - 2 and 3 Mbit/s, respectively.
The Bluetooth SIG has published the specification as "Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR Technology", which implies that EDR is an optional feature. In addition to EDR, there are other minor improvements to the 2.0 specification, and products may comply with "Bluetooth 2.0 Technology" without supporting higher data rates. At least one commercial device, the HTC TyTN Pocket PC, uses "Bluetooth 2.0 without EDR" in its technical specifications.
According to the 2.0+EDR specification, EDR provides the following benefits:
Increase the transfer speed by 3 times (2.1 Mbps) in some cases.
Reduced complexity of multiple simultaneous connections due to additional bandwidth.
Lower energy consumption due to load reduction.
Bluetooth 2.1
2007 Added technology for advanced request for device characteristics (for additional filtering of the list when pairing), energy-saving technology Sniff Subrating, which allows you to increase the operating time of the device on a single battery charge by 3-10 times. In addition, the updated specification significantly simplifies and speeds up the establishment of communication between two devices, allows updating the encryption key without breaking the connection, and also makes these connections more secure thanks to the use of Near Field Communication technology.
Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
In August 2008, Bluetooth SIG introduced version 2.1+EDR. The new Bluetooth edition reduces energy consumption by 5 times, increases the level of data security and makes it easier to recognize and connect Bluetooth devices by reducing the number of steps it takes.
Bluetooth 3.0+HS
3.0+HS was adopted by the Bluetooth SIG on April 21, 2009. It supports theoretical data transfer rates of up to 24 Mbps. Its main feature is the addition of AMP (Asymmetric Multiprocessing) (alternatively MAC/PHY), an addition to 802.11 as a high-speed message. Two technologies were provided for AMP: 802.11 and UWB, but UWB is not in the specification.
Modules supporting the new specification combine two radio systems: the first provides data transmission at 3 Mbit/s (standard for Bluetooth 2.0) and has low power consumption; the second is compatible with the 802.11 standard and provides the ability to transfer data at speeds of up to 24 Mbit/s (comparable to the speed of Wi-Fi networks). The choice of radio system for data transmission depends on the size of the transmitted file. Small files are transferred over a slow channel, while large files are transferred over a high-speed channel. Bluetooth 3.0 uses the more generic 802.11 standard (without a suffix), meaning it is not compatible with Wi-Fi specifications such as 802.11b/g or 802.11n.
Bluetooth 4.0
The Bluetooth SIG approved the Bluetooth 4.0 specification on June 30, 2010. Bluetooth 4.0 includes Classic Bluetooth, High Speed Bluetooth, and Bluetooth Low Energy protocols. High Speed Bluetooth is based on Wi-Fi, while Classic Bluetooth consists of protocols from previous Bluetooth specifications.
The Bluetooth Low Energy protocol is intended primarily for miniature electronic sensors (used in sports shoes, exercise equipment, miniature sensors placed on the body of patients, etc.). Low power consumption is achieved through the use of a special operating algorithm. The transmitter is turned on only while sending data, which makes it possible to operate on a single CR2032 battery for several years. The standard provides a data transfer rate of 1 Mbit/s with a data packet size of 8-27 bytes. Two Bluetooth devices will be able to establish a connection in less than 5 milliseconds and maintain it at a distance of up to 100 m. Advanced error correction is used for this, and the necessary level of security is provided by 128-bit AES encryption.
Sensors for temperature, pressure, humidity, speed of movement, etc. based on this standard can transmit information to various control devices: mobile phones, PDAs, PCs, etc.
The first chip supporting Bluetooth 3.0 and Bluetooth 4.0 was released by ST-Ericsson at the end of 2009.
Bluetooth 4.0 is supported on MacBook Air and Mac mini (since July 2011), iMac (November 2012), iPhone 4S (October 2011) and iPhone 5 (September 2012), iPad 3 (March 2012), LG Optimus smartphones 4X HD (February 2012), HTC One X, S, V and Samsung Galaxy S III (May 2012), Explay Infinity (August 2012), HTC One X+ (2012), HTC Desire C, Google Nexus 7 (2012) ), Sony VAIO SVE1511N1RSI.
Hello everyone, dear users of the best mobile portal Trashbox. Today is September 1, the official day of knowledge, and in the meantime I continue my interesting column “How it works.” Before I start, I would like to congratulate all the students on their day - good luck in your studies and don’t dare miss out - you will regret it. Today I want to talk about Bluetooth, one of the most popular wireless interfaces. Let's find out what Bluetooth is and how it works. The most interesting under the cut.
Bluetooth (translated as “blue tooth” or popularly “blue tooth”) is one of the wireless network technologies that ensure the exchange of information between various devices, including personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, printers, cameras and other similar products. Bluetooth allows devices to communicate - the maximum range is 100 meters from each other.
The main objective of Bluetooth technology is to transfer data between devices wirelessly - providing economical and cheap radio communication between various types of electronic devices.
The operating principle is based on the use of radio waves, and Bluetooth technology itself is a small chip that is a high-frequency transceiver. It operates in the ISM (Industry, Science and Medicine) band, as these frequencies do not require a license to use - they are free for use worldwide (exceptions: France and Spain).
The fundamental principle of building Bluetooth-based networks is the Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) method. The FHSS method is easy to implement - it provides immunity to broadband interference, and the equipment is inexpensive.
The transmitter breaks the data into packets and transmits them using a pseudo-random algorithm, in which the carrier frequency (pattern) changes 1600 times per second and takes the value of one of 79 subfrequencies. The sequence of switching between frequencies for each connection is pseudo-random and is known only to the transmitter and receiver.
Several devices connected using Bluetooth form a so-called piconet - a collection of two to eight devices operating on the same template. In a piconet, one of the devices is the master and the other is the slave. Bluetooth technology can support several slave devices - up to a maximum of seven. The master is the user device that initiates the communication. It also controls the operation of devices in the piconet.
Bluetooth allows the transmission of both voice and data. Voice is transmitted over three audio channels at a speed of 64 Kbps each. Data transfer rates are approximately 720 Kbps in asymmetric and 420 Kbps in fully symmetrical or full duplex (two-way) mode. The “blue tooth” can work over relatively short distances. According to the specifications (versions 1.1 and 1.2), it has two classes of adapters: Class 1 (Class A) supports up to 100 meters, and Class 2 (Class B) works within 10 meters (still the most common class among the specifications) .
Currently, the newest Bluetooth specification is 4.0. The Bluetooth SIG approved the specification on June 30, 2010. The Bluetooth low energy protocol supports the transmission of data such as sensors of temperature, pressure, humidity, speed of movement and others based on this standard can transmit information to various devices: mobile phones, personal computers, smartphones and other similar mobile products.
Bluetooth technology can also be used in a wide variety of areas of mobile life. You can use it for the following purposes without any difficulty:
- For automatic synchronization between devices. For example, as soon as you enter new data into the address book on your laptop, the corresponding entries on your desktop computer are automatically modified, and vice versa
- For automatic backup synchronization. An example would be this situation: the manager changed your action plan while you are on vacation. The office PC sends changes to your mobile device, which automatically connects to the laptop and transmits the modified schedule
- To use a laptop PC as a speakerphone. By connecting the wireless headset to your laptop, you can use it in the office, car or home
- To connect all participants in the exchange of information. While at any business event, you can quickly discuss an issue of interest with all its participants. In addition, you can perform control functions remotely. For example, turn on the projector
- To transmit various multimedia content from anywhere. The camera connects to your phone (wirelessly) and you add comments using the keyboard on your phone or laptop. Photos and text are sent to the recipient
All of the above is just the smallest part where Bluetooth wireless technology can be used. Now such exotic options are already appearing, such as embedding modules running on this technology into printers, memory cards and various other devices.
In the near future, Bluetooth technology, in addition to mobile phones, smartphones, and other interconnected devices, will even be built into household appliances. Just imagine it: a TV, vacuum cleaner, refrigerator, microwave oven and other home appliances can be controlled using a smartphone - just like with a universal control panel. In addition, alternative solutions are currently being developed that should seriously compete with the so-called “blue tooth” and even possibly surpass this technology.
A modern person is surrounded by an incredible number of mobile and electronic devices, and therefore he must be aware of the latest news of new technologies and know well what the basic concepts and terms of communication means. One of the most common technologies for building communication networks in the world is Bluetooth (bluetooth, bluetooth) - function wireless communication, without which in our time it is no longer possible to do.
Today, all models of mobile devices are equipped with wireless technology Bluetooth, and its latest version Bluetooth 4.0 is built into all flagship mobile devices from Samsung and Apple. The fourth version of Bluetooth is the most advanced; it allows you to wirelessly transfer data from one smartphone or tablet to another at speeds of up to one megabit per second at a distance of 100 meters.
Bluetooth technology is designed to enable data transmission not only between similar devices, for example between two smartphones, but also between devices of different types. For example, computer and mobile phone. Thanks to Bluetooth, a wireless connection is created, with which you can transfer any information, including photos, video and audio files from one medium to another. Bluetooth is also used to connect a controlled device to a controller or signal transmission, allowing you to use headphones wirelessly.
Translated from English, the word "Bluetooth" means "blue tooth". It was not by chance that wireless communication technology was named this way. Bluetooth is the nickname of the Danish Viking king Harald Bluetooth, who lived in the 900s and is famous for uniting Norway and Denmark. He got his nickname as the Viking king because of his front tooth, which was darkened. When choosing a name, the developers of Bluetooth technology apparently decided that, by analogy with the king-unifier of the lands, it would unite computers, mobile phones, tablets and other telecommunications devices with each other.
The operating principle of Bluetooth technology is based on the use of radio communication in the ISM range, which is free from the need for licensing and does not require large investments to purchase equipment. The level of resistance and privacy when using Bluetooth is high, since data transmission occurs according to a pseudo-random algorithm and the frequency switching sequence is known only to the devices themselves.
The latest models of all mobile phones, tablets and laptops are equipped with Bluetooth, the presence of which is indicated by a logo icon in the case or on the screen of the mobile device. When a Bluetooth connection is established, a corresponding icon appears on the screen, and when exchanging data, an additional indication appears.
In addition to mobile devices, bluetooth technology used in desktop computers to provide communication between cameras, mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, headsets and headphones. All this equipment can communicate at a distance of up to 100 meters with Bluetooth adapters with flash drives, which can be found on sale today in any hardware store. Sometimes wireless communication is supported even between devices located in different rooms.
To connect various devices to a personal computer via Bluetooth, you need to install a Bluetooth connector port on the computer, which in shape looks like a simple flash drive and connects via USB. The program and drivers for working with Bluetooth are usually included in the kit; if they are not, you must use a universal program for working with BlueSoleil devices.
When establishing a connection between two devices, one of them is the master and the other is the slave. On both devices you need to turn on Bluetooth and continue scanning bluetooth wireless network. The list of available devices is displayed on the mobile phone screen and in the program on the computer. The device name can be set. To connect via Bluetooth, you need to know the name of the device you want to connect to and find it in the list. Then a password is entered on one of the devices, and on the second, this password must be confirmed. After this, the connection is established and data can be exchanged between the devices that have become paired. The Bluetooth port connected to the computer is usually equipped with a light indicator; when there is a connection and data transfer, it lights up and flashes blue or green.
Deserves special attention bluetooth headphones, which allow while driving, playing sports and walking. A wireless Bluetooth headset is attached to the ear, and the phone itself can be in a pocket or bag at this time. The headset has a button that is used to answer and allows you to adjust the volume. Call quality in use bluetooth headphones high, and the low power of the Bluetooth signal eliminates the harmful effects of mobile communications on health.
Using Bluetooth, you can exchange information between electronic multimedia devices: computers, mobile phones, etc. Bluetooth allows them to communicate on the inexpensive, widely available 2.45 GHz frequency. The established connection is reliable if the gadgets are located at a distance of up to 100 m.
Bluetooth is a wireless radio technology. It is designed to combine various digital devices. Bluetooth 4.0 version is energy saving and compatible with previous ones. This technology allows you to increase the operating time of the device after a full battery charge by more than five times. In addition, the data exchange speed and connection stability have increased. The latest version 4.1 has a number of improvements regarding communication with mobile devices. Bluetooth technology uses short-range transmitters. There are two types: built directly into the device, external - connected via a PC card or USB port. It differs from IrDA (infrared port) in its larger range and high speed of information transfer. For Bluetooth there is no need for line of sight to the receiver. High speed IrDA devices were not widely available. They have been replaced by modern ones - Bluetooth, WiFi.
No cables are required to connect Bluetooth devices and transmit multimedia information. Both devices must have a built-in Bluetooth adapter. When it is activated, each device begins searching for another one within the acceptable range of the signal. Currently, the radius has increased from 10 m to 100 m (in an apartment 30-40 m). This is associated with the emergence of a large number of peripheral Bluetooth devices that work without bulky, inconvenient wires: keyboards, mice, headphones, modems.
The Bluetooth frequency range of 2.45 GHz is universally accessible to everyone. The Federal Communications Commission limits the range used by devices. The problem is that there are so many of them: bluetooth, wireless networks, microwave ovens. Audio and video equipment operating in the Home RF range is even more common. Increasing the Home RF range will cause conflict between the two.
Alarm, security, and radio communication devices operate at a frequency of 2.45 GHz - they also create interference. To solve this problem, Bluetooth uses fast frequency hopping. This restructuring makes it possible to transmit data faster than others operating at the same frequency. Reducing interference makes the Bluetooth connection more stable and strong.
Every user who wants to take advantage of wireless technology must make sure that there is a Bluetooth microchip in the device, otherwise it must be purchased and installed. On a computer, the adapter is connected to a USB port. The system itself will automatically detect a new device within range. Typically no driver installation is required. If the operating system indicates the adapter as an unknown device, then install the driver from the disk included in the kit.
After the driver installation is completed, you need to activate Bluetooth to start searching for other devices. The adapter must be active on both devices. If the scan result is positive, a list of available devices is displayed. Find what you need, pair and start transferring data.
Articles and Lifehacks
The vast majority of modern mobile devices are equipped with wireless technology such as Bluetooth, but there are also those who are still unfamiliar with its functions. Having understood what bluetooth actually is, the user will be able to understand the principle of its operation. It's not that difficult to do.
What is it? Concept, technical features and operating principle
So, Bluetooth is a special standard for transmitting data between devices wirelessly. Transfer can be carried out both between gadgets of different types (for example, a laptop and), and between similar devices (two phones).Since its inception, this technology has received many versions, the latest of which is Bluetooth 4.0. Today, many modern multifunctional devices are equipped with it. The version allows users to communicate at a distance of up to 100 meters and transfer data at speeds of up to 1 megabit per second. No additional equipment is required.
The operating principle of Bluetooth technology is based on the use of radio communications in the ISM range. It is this range that is used in wireless networks, as well as in a number of household appliances. At the same time, the equipment itself is inexpensive, and the level of resistance to interference is high. In addition, power consumption is low, which means the same for other mobile devices.
If several devices communicate nearby via Bluetooth, they do not interfere with each other, since the sequence of frequency switching is known only to the devices themselves, and they can switch to other frequencies quite synchronously. Well, due to the fact that the transmission occurs according to a pseudo-random algorithm, confidentiality is maintained.
If necessary data is lost, it will be retransmitted. In this case, a variety of audio signal encoding systems are used, so they are not repeated.
Having understood what it is, we can dwell in more detail on its technical characteristics.
So, as already mentioned, the wireless network uses the ISM band, which is free from the need for licensing, and the sequence of switching between frequencies is random.
The carrier frequency of the signal changes 1.6 thousand times per second, which ensures a high level of resistance to various interferences. This is also possible thanks to a special spectrum spread in which the frequency is hopped (FHSS method).
Using the Bluetooth system
In addition to mobile technology, this technology is actively used in laptops, desktop and tablet computers. Many such devices are equipped with a built-in Bluetooth wireless connection module.Bluetooth technology provides communication between digital cameras, PCs, mice, scanners, headsets, headphones, keyboards, printers and smartphones. Today you can even find Bluetooth adapters with flash drives on sale.
All this equipment can communicate with each other at a distance of up to 100 meters. Sometimes wireless communication is possible even when the devices are located in different rooms.
Using this technology is not at all difficult. To do this, activate the Bluetooth function on devices within a suitable range, look for other available equipment and try to connect. At the end of data transmission or reception, the function should be disabled.
The Bluetooth interface has today become quite widespread in different types of devices, in particular personal computers, mobile phones, tablets and others. Of course, users are not immune from various problems. Most often, it is not difficult to understand the causes of problems; it is enough to be familiar with the basic principles of operation of the specified interface. "Bluetooth" - what is it? How to use it?
Features of the technology
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless interface that was created in 1994 by engineers from Ericsson, located in Sweden. In 1998, a number of companies created a special organization, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG), which is still working in the development, promotion and implementation of this technology. At the moment, the number of companies that have become members of the association has exceeded 13 thousand.
The main advantage of this technology is that Bluetooth connection does not require large resources in terms of energy consumption, and the cost of transceivers is relatively low compared to other wireless transmission technologies. All this allows the use of such a technical solution even in small-sized devices with miniature batteries. Equipment manufacturers are not required to pay anything to the creators of the technology for using the described interface. This fact played an important role in such a wide distribution of this interface in a variety of devices.
What is it for?
We briefly looked at what Bluetooth is. It is already clear that this is a useful thing. But you still need to figure out how to use it. The main purpose of this technology is to create personal networks that provide opportunities for data exchange between gadgets located nearby. These can be laptops, desktops, mobile devices, peripherals, and many others that fall into this category.
Application
Bluetooth can be used for various purposes. We have already learned that this is a device that allows you to connect several devices into a network. But how does the connection happen? In the case of two gadgets, the connection is carried out according to a “point-to-point” scheme, and in the case of a large number of devices it will already be a “point-to-multipoint” scheme. Regardless of the circuit used, a master device and slaves are allocated.
The master device sets a template that is used by all slaves, and is also responsible for synchronizing all devices. Through this connection, a piconet is formed. Within one such solution, it is possible to combine one master and seven slave devices. In addition, it is possible to add several more devices to the piconet, which will be slaves, but only in a temporarily blocked status. They do not take part in information exchange, but are synchronized with the host using the Bluetooth interface. What this is becomes clear if you imagine how data is sent from one source to everyone else in real time. This is convenient and opens up a lot of possibilities for organizing work.
Maximum number of devices
Another level of interconnection is the integration of several piconets into a single distribution network. To do this, a device that is a slave in one piconet takes on the tasks of a master in another. In this case, the peculiarity is that piconets belonging to the same distribution network use different patterns and are not synchronized with each other. One distribution network cannot include more than 10 piconets. It turns out that by organizing a distribution network that includes Bluetooth devices, it is possible to combine up to 71 devices in total.
Features of data transfer
A radio channel of 2.4-2.4835 GHz is used, supplemented by the method of pseudo-random tuning of the operating frequency. The specified range is divided into 79 channels, for each of which a bandwidth of 1 MHz is allocated. The upper and lower parts of the range contain unused bands that are considered protective. Data transmission is carried out using Gaussian phase modulation, which involves changing the carrier frequency over time according to the Gaussian curve, and this significantly limits the spectrum of the emitted signal.
The Bluetooth adapter exchanges data within time intervals, the length of which is 625 μs. The transmission of each slot ends with a transition to a new frequency channel. The data link layer assumes that data is exchanged in packets, each of which is one to five slots long. A certain part of them can be reserved for synchronous channels intended for broadcasting streaming data. It turns out that transmission can be carried out not only with synchronous data, but also with asynchronous data.
The Bluetooth device specification provides the ability to use two types of communication: synchronous with the establishment of a connection, and asynchronous, in which a connection is not established. The use of the first option is relevant when creating point-to-point channels between master and slave devices. The purpose of the second is to organize a point-to-multipoint interface between the piconet master device and all slaves.
Bluetooth device classes
Depending on the power and range efficiency of the Bluetooth adapter, there are three classes of transceivers. The most common option, relevant for use in most computers and mobile devices produced by modern industry, are second-class transceivers. Medical equipment is equipped with low-power Class 3 transmitters, and the longest-range modules belonging to Class 1 are used in control and monitoring systems for industrial equipment.
Settings Features
If you want to install and then use it to pair with any devices, then you should be familiar with the features of its configuration. Using this technology, you can use short-range radio waves to connect to wireless networks, as well as gain access to peripheral devices compatible with the technology version: printer, mouse, mobile phone, as well as other computers and communicators.
Since we are talking about a wireless connection, that is, carried out via radio waves, any peripheral device can be moved in space, and the connection will not be lost if it does not leave the “visibility” zone. If you want to connect Bluetooth to your computer, you should know that this is done automatically when the device comes within range of the transmitter. You only need to make all the necessary settings once. Most laptop models have built-in transmitters from the start; you just need to configure them correctly so that later everything works without interruptions.
Setting up a Bluetooth device for Windows
To carry out this operation, you need to perform very specific actions. First you need to make sure that your laptop has this adapter. After this, you need to download all the necessary drivers. After activating the driver installer and running the Add Device Wizard, everything will be determined automatically.
Once the device is detected, you will need to add it. If the system is unable to find it, you should make sure that the device is fully charged, has power, is turned on, and is located within range. Information about the range of any device can be found in the accompanying documentation. After the detailed component check is completed, you need to restart the Add Device Wizard.
Problems that may arise
If you are puzzled by how to turn on Bluetooth, you may note that if the component itself is not present on the laptop’s taskbar, the corresponding icon may be present. It must be hidden. To do this, click on the icon, and then on the “Customize” item.
When Bluetooth devices are turned on, the display shows a list of all paired devices that are available in range. Moreover, each, as mentioned earlier, has its own range, which must be taken into account when pairing.
Features of work
All latest models of phones, tablets and laptops receive a Bluetooth module as a mandatory component, the presence of which is confirmed by a logo icon on the screen or body of the device. When a connection is established, the corresponding logo will appear on the screen, and the data exchange is accompanied by additional indication. Manufacturers are now integrating Bluetooth devices into tablets, phones and computers.
In addition to mobile devices, this technology is applicable to desktop computers to provide communication between mice, keyboards, digital cameras, scanners, printers, headphones and a variety of headsets. This equipment supports data exchange over a distance of up to 100 meters. Sometimes wireless support is possible even when using devices located in different rooms.
Pairing different devices
If you use Bluetooth for a phone or other devices when connecting to a PC, you need to install a port connector on the computer that is shaped like a regular flash drive connected via USB. Drivers and necessary programs are usually supplied with the equipment, but if they are not available, you can always use the official website to obtain the necessary applications.
If we consider a Bluetooth device for a phone, then those who use this technology are the most popular. With their help, you can talk on the phone even when your hands are busy: when playing sports, driving a car, etc. If you know how to turn on Bluetooth to activate the headset, you can always free your hands while you talk by phone. The device itself can be in a bag or pocket at this time.
Before moving on to the question of what Bluetooth is and how to turn it on, let’s look at why Bluetooth is needed. As you know, computers and laptops are constantly surrounded by various wires.
The system unit, as they say, by definition, assumes that a keyboard, mouse, and monitor must be connected to it.
Laptops have a built-in keyboard and a built-in mouse (), but still many laptop users prefer to use a conventional mouse rather than a built-in touchpad, and therefore a wire appears again to connect the mouse to the laptop. Also, they are often connected to laptops, which are larger in size and have better resolution.
And then: we connect a printer, sound speakers, wired Internet, a mobile gadget (smartphone, iPod, iPhone, etc.), a laptop power supply, etc. to the computer with wires. As a result, the computer (laptop) turns into a kind of center of attraction for wires, which, among other things, like to intertwine with each other, interfere with each other, serve as a good dust collector, etc.
From the very beginning, computer developers sought to reduce the number of wires or eliminate them altogether. For example, the Internet can be transmitted to a computer using a radio signal - this is where Wi-Fi appeared and continues to develop and improve.
Now it has become commonplace to connect wirelessly from a computer or mobile phone to the Internet via Wi-Fi, and no longer depend on the wire, its length, the availability of an outlet for wired Internet, etc.
The developers of Apple technology have generally set themselves the task of completely getting rid of wires. And there are already existing charger options for Apple gadgets that allow you to charge the battery without connecting the gadget using wires to the charger. It is enough to place the gadget on a special platform (which, to be honest, can still be connected by wire to a 220V electrical network), and without any wires or connections, the gadget’s battery will receive the necessary energy to charge the battery.
What is Bluetooth and comparison with WiFi
Internet access, access to a charger, wireless mice and keyboards are only a partial solution to the problems of “extra” wires. There are a lot of wires, and I would like to get rid of them.
In this sense, a good solution is BlueTooth technology (Bluetooth or Bluetooth), which appeared (in theory) back in 1994, which made it possible to transmit data via radio between various electronic devices, for example, between a computer (or laptop) and a mouse, keyboard, headphones, gadgets, etc. With a small range of action (up to 10 meters), it is good, for example, to use it in an indoor or intra-office space.
Many people have a question when comparing BlueTooth with Wi-Fi, what is the difference between them, and why do you need Bluetooth if you have Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi is also a technology for transmitting information via radio, and at the same time, computers and gadgets using Wi-Fi are able to connect to an Internet access point.
And BlueTooth technology allows you to connect devices with each other not only for the purpose of accessing the Internet, but also for the purpose of exchanging data with each other, in order to access “other people’s” resources. For example, in this way you can connect from your gadget to your PC’s audio speakers so that the music can be heard, as they say, in full force and with good quality.
It turns out that if we compare Wi-Fi and BlueTooth, Wi-Fi is more powerful than Bluetooth and operates over long distances, but at the same time Bluetooth is more universal than Wi-Fi. Although over time and with the development of both technologies, these differences are gradually erased.
Wi-Fi can be compared to an invisible wire that connects a computer, laptop or mobile gadget to an Internet access point via radio.
This could be a Wi-Fi router in an apartment, it could be a smartphone that distributes the Internet, it could be a laptop that distributes the Internet, etc.
And BlueTooth can be compared to an invisible wire that connects any electronic device to any other electronic device via radio.
Examples of using Bluetooth
If, for example, a laptop is connected to a mouse via BlueTooth, then the mouse moves the pointer on the laptop screen, but there is no wire between the laptop and the mouse; instead of a wire, a radio channel works.
If the headphones are connected to a smartphone via BlueTooth, then you can hear music or a telephone conversation through the headphones, but there is no wire between the headphones and the smartphone; it is replaced by a radio signal. There are many similar examples of the use of BlueTooth technology; this technology is currently being actively developed.
So, mobile and stationary electronic equipment now has the ability to connect wirelessly. Communication cables are no longer needed. Having configured the Bluetooth receiver and transmitter, personal computer (PC) users were the first to appreciate the convenience of the new technology.
When connecting electronic devices using BlueTooth technology, a radio communication channel with a varying high frequency operates. A mobile phone or any computer peripheral exchanges information of any type.
Using a mobile phone headset with Bluetooth technology, you can talk on it while holding the headset at a distance of a meter or more from the mobile phone. Motorists immediately took advantage of this. Having received a call or wanting to talk, they turn on the button on the car panel and switch to speakerphone without holding the phone in their hand. This not only does not interfere with driving, but generally becomes a rule for driving a car. Thanks to the use of BlueTooth, Free Hand technology (“free hand” or “free hands”) is becoming a rule of good manners while driving a car.
From the history of Bluetooth
Not everything worked out well with Bluetooth right away. With the introduction of the BlueTooth 1.0 standard into electronic equipment (1998), the connection turned out to be unstable and unprotected. In addition, different devices did not fit well with each other.
But version 2.0, already adopted in 2004, allowed data transfer from device to device at a speed of 2.1 Mbit/s. (remember that at first it was 1.6). In addition, electronics began to consume less electricity.
In the third version of Bluetooth technology, the data transfer speed has increased to 24 Mbit/s. And BlueTooth 4.0 technology, developed in 2010, had a range of up to hundreds of meters and was intended for miniature electronics. To do this, the signal transmitter was turned on only when transmitting data, saving battery power.
Soon, high-speed BlueTooth with Wi-Fi technology appeared (as noted above, BlueTooth and Wi-Fi technologies are gradually moving closer together), the transmission frequency increased to 2.48 GHz, and the radiation power dropped to 0.0025 W.
BlueTooth 5.0 version has already been introduced, featuring wider bandwidth and the ability to connect up to 8 electronic devices to one module.
Bluetooth technology was called “bluetooth” (this is how the word “bluetooth” is translated into Russian) after the nickname of the Danish king, Harald Bluetooth, who united different tribes into one kingdom a thousand years ago.
It was created by the Swedish company Ericsson, intending to replace the RS-232 interface, created back in the days when there was no talk of personal computers, and no one then imagined such a rapid development of computer technology. As we can see, we managed to do this.
Bluetooth technology has many different profiles, one of them even supports H.263 video transmission (HDTV standard). That is, the technology has reached speeds at which video information can be transmitted, which already means that this technology can be used almost everywhere where electronics operate, for example, to transmit data from video cameras, etc.
Bluetooth official website
The official Bluetooth website is in English, but now Google Chrome, Yandex Browser, etc. browsers have built-in translators into Russian, so you can get the meaning.
How to connect a laptop via Bluetooth
To establish a BlueTooth connection between two devices, you first need to enable BlueTooth technology on both devices.
As an example, we will show how this is done when establishing a connection between a Samsung laptop with Windows 8 and a Samsung smartphone.
On a laptop (Windows 8 operating system), this is done by changing the PC settings:
- "Options" button on ,
- then click on the inscription “Change computer settings”,
- open the “Wireless Communications” tab (number 1 in Fig. 1),
- Now you need to move the “Bluetooth” slider (switch) to the right (number 2 in Fig. 1).
Rice. 1. How to enable Bluetooth on Windows 8
Bluetooth on Android phone
Bluetooth is turned on on a Windows 8 laptop. Now we turn it on on the smartphone under .
You can connect Android via Bluetooth in the “Settings” window, “Bluetooth” button.
In the window that opens, you need to move the slider to turn on Bluetooth technology (number 1 in Fig. 2):
Rice. 2. Turn on Bluetooth on your Android phone
You need to wait a little after turning on Bluetooth on Android until the message “Turning on Bluetooth...” is displayed (Fig. 2).
Then information about the smartphone itself will appear in the “My Device” section, and devices available via Bluetooth will appear below in the “Available Devices” section of the same name (Fig. 3).
Rice. 3. Bluetooth on Android: enable visibility for other devices
In Fig. 3 you can see that in the “Available Devices” section there is no Samsung laptop to connect to, although Bluetooth technology is already enabled on the laptop. To see this laptop and connect to the laptop, you need to check the box next to “Click to enable visibility for other devices” (number 1 in Fig. 3).
After checking the box, in fact, the connection between the smartphone and the laptop will begin. The system allows 2 minutes for this. The time counter is located after the inscription “Visible to all Bluetooth proximity devices” (number 1 in Fig. 4 - 1:57). The connection must be made within the allotted period of time.
Rice. 4. Start connecting the smartphone to the laptop via Bluetooth
During the connection process, an access key will be generated, which will be displayed on the screens of both connected devices: a laptop and a smartphone.
On a smartphone, confirmation of the access key consists of clicking “YES” on the “Bluetooth Connection Request” banner (number 1 in Fig. 5).
Rice. 5. Confirming the Bluetooth access key on Android
The laptop will also display an access code identical to the code that will be visible on the smartphone screen. To do this, you must first select a smartphone among other devices on a laptop with Windows 8 by clicking on its shortcut (number 1 in Fig. 6):
Rice. 6. On the laptop, select a smartphone among the devices visible using Bluetooth technology
Then you should confirm the identity of the codes visible on the screens of the smartphone and laptop (number 1 in Fig. 7 - “Yes” button):
Rice. 7. Confirming the access key via Bluetooth on a laptop
Having done everything correctly, we will see:
- on the screen of the smartphone (phone) - information that the Android phone is connected to the laptop (number 1 in Fig. 8 - SAMSUNG-PC is authorized):
Rice. 8. Confirmation on the phone screen about connecting the Android phone to the laptop via Bluetooth
- and on the laptop screen we will see the connection of the laptop to the smartphone (number 1 in Fig. 9 - Nadezhda (Galaxy Grand)):
Rice. 9. Confirmation on the laptop screen that the Android smartphone is connected via Bluetooth to the laptop with Windows 8
It should be noted that when connecting a smartphone to a laptop for the first time, there may be a delay due to the need to install the appropriate ones in the laptop (Fig. 10):
Rice. 10. Automatic installation of drivers the first time you connect your smartphone to your laptop via Bluetooth
After connecting the smartphone to the laptop using Bluetooth technology, it becomes visible, for example, as an external data drive from which you can, say, then download all the screenshots that were taken on it during the writing of this article.
How to download data from a smartphone to a laptop or PC via wire, without the Internet - this is another story that has been described.
How to turn off Bluetooth
Bluetooth turns off in the same way as it turns on, that is, the exit is through the same door as the entrance.
To disable Bluetooth on an Android smartphone, you need to uncheck the Bluetooth option (1 in Fig. 2).
To disable Bluetooth on a laptop with Windwos 8, move the “Bluetooth” slider (switch) to the left (number 2 in Fig. 1).
About Bluetooth security
For security reasons, you should not use BlueTooth technology unnecessarily, as unauthorized access to your PC, laptop or gadget is possible.
For example, if you connect BlueTooth somewhere in a public place where there are a lot of people, you can see many devices that are accessible via Bluetooth, belonging to strangers. Another thing is that not every user can connect, for example, to someone else’s mobile phone or laptop. But this applies to ordinary honest and decent people.
If an attacker intervenes in the process and wants to intercept the transmitted information, then he will do everything possible to then use it for his own purposes.
For example, having received a PIN code that was inadvertently recorded, say, in a stranger’s smartphone, such a “hacker” gains access to listening to a conversation, to mobile phone data, or even to someone else’s bank cards.
Therefore, a special narrow-directional antenna has been developed to transmit data via BlueTooth over long distances. But ordinary users do not have this equipment, so their mobile devices are at risk. Accordingly, if there is no need to use Bluetooth on a mobile device, you need to disable BlueTooth on this device.
This is the main rule of working with Bluetooth technologies:
You need to turn off Bluetooth if you don't need it.
Here, perhaps, we will put an end to the description of one of the examples of the use of Bluetooth technology. Although this is very strange, because there are many options for connecting devices using Bluetooth technology.
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