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Introduction
Have to send an urgent mail, and you are in a flight or train with no internet connectivity. Want to link your devices, access mails when you not at desk, etc., Bluetooth and Wi-Fi could be the solution to this. These are the two terms which are known and common to all of us today. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is a technology that allows one to access information and connect to devices and peripherals without wires and cables. Hence it is hassle free and convenient usage for the people as it allows one to operate freely with your resources within a certain range.
IEEE 802.11 is the standard for Information Technology – Telecommunications and Information Exchange for the implementation of communication and networking at frequency bands such as 2.4, 3.6 and 5GHz. Bluetooth standards follow certain minimal testing standards for all products that implement Bluetooth wireless technology. Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility is an organization which has been accredited to perform testing for Bluetooth components. The tests mainly include interoperability and conformance tests and protocol and profile testing as well. (A. Attias, Bluetooth and Wifi Comparisons, January 4, 2012)
In this era when everybody has taken a technical turn, these two terminologies have become quite common and almost everybody is acquainted with its usage. Everybody is using it in their day to day life. The Bluetooth technology is readily available on our mobiles and laptops, and any common man can use even without not much of technical know-how. Wi-Fi, another useful technology is having a good range of coverage area, and has several amenities as well. Often, these two technologies are compared based on their range, power, price and bit rate.
Comparison of Bluetooth applications with IEEE 802.11
Bluetooth is a technology that allows one to connect devices without the hassle of wires and cables. Another added advantage is the noticeable change in unreliable connections configuration of connections. Bluetooth is very convenient for users and it can be placed anywhere on the body or even in bag or briefcase. It facilitates
1. Data synchronization – PDA, PC or laptop can be easily linked to each other and the updates happen automatically.
2. With this great application, you can draft and save mails which would be involuntarily sent when the plane lands. Email is connected and notified on your mobile phones
3. Voice mailing, command over other devices such as TV, camera, computer peripherals without intervention. Supporting both point to point and point to multipoint it can connect around 200 devices
4. Allows portability and one is no longer compelled to stay in just one location to work
Wi-Fi is one such connectivity following the IEEE 802.11 standard that allows wireless connectivity with other devices and establish networks at a close range. Wi-Fi has similar applications as Bluetooth such as setting up networks, printing or transferring files. (B. Mitchell, Wireless Networking, 2011)
Wi-Fi is a wireless replacement of the general local area network whereas Bluetooth’s main intent is its portability and features such as smart energy, thermostats etc. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth work at the same radio frequencies. Some of the differences between the two can be listed below:
1. IEEE 802.11 has a range of about 200 feet but Bluetooth has a smaller range comparatively of about 30 feet. Wi-Fi has better range, higher bit rates and higher power.
2. Bluetooth components and peripherals are more affordable and economical compared to Wi-Fi
3. Bluetooth is more appropriate for connecting devices, computers, PDAs and networks for fast information flow.
4. Bluetooth is much younger compared to Wi-Fi but has been fast developing and is also very popular with the users and is quite expected to surpass the 802.11
The very comparison of Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 is not very right. Even IEEE has standard for Bluetooth. Wi-Fi incorporates all the facilities that a Bluetooth provides and some more additional features. Thus, both the standards are doing well in the market and are much accepted by the users. Wi-Fi components used to be very expensive in comparison to Bluetooth but even this ratio is decreasing and things would soon be easily available and affordable for the common man. (L. Mike, Latest Bluetooth Smart Devices, 2011)
Benefits of Bluetooth compared with 802.11?
Bluetooth is a user friendly radio frequency wireless technology and gets its name from Danish King Herald Blatant. This idea was first generated by Ericsson in 1994. It operates on unlicensed 2.4 GHz and uses frequency hopping spread spectrum technique. During radio transmission, the frequency keep on changing which reduces unlawful access and stops interruption of any other means of telecommunication. This makes the overall communication via Bluetooth robust and secure.
In terms of flexibility, Bluetooth appears to be more flexible as compared to Wi-Fi if we talk about smaller scale. The throughput of this device is 700Kbps with its range being very short of about 30 feet only. The best part is it gives the accessibility of transferring files by using Bluetooth-equipped notebooks, as well as sending a file to a printer equipped with blue tooth. And there is no need of downloading drivers as well. It is standard equipment available on almost every cell phone, laptops as well as other devices. One of the other good aspects is interoperability and it has a higher data rate that is 11Mbps. The hardware involved in this equipment is inexpensive. Its components (chips and radios) and device adaptors are cheaper in comparison to Wi-Fi components. It is better in terms security as compared Wife, and offers two levels of password protection, which is an optional choice. It gives the facility of connecting seven devices at a single time, which makes it easier to find and connect to the device which is being searched for. It is more ideal for consumer electronics as it requires small power. The other advantage is regarding voice communication. It can be used in a cordless phone within 10m range. And even in near future Wife technologies will not have voice-over-IP to support voice communication. Bluetooth takes the first mover advantage as it was introduced earlier in the market as compared to Wi-Fi. It is installed in more devices and products as compared to Wi-Fi Products. The lower power consumption results in less drain on battery. This technology is most appropriate as well as affordable for communication between smart phones as well as between information kiosks. Seeing the potential of this technology, there are more than 2000 vendors as members of Bluetooth forum. (Technology Bluetooth, 2009)
Changes in IEEE 802.11 standard to meet competition from Bluetooth
Bluetooth has given a tough competition to IEEE standards for wireless connectivity. But, IEEE has stood strong in fighting to this competition. Undoubtedly, IEEE standard always had a better technology associated with it but the portability and prices of Bluetooth standard was a major source of worry for the IEEE standard but it did not take much time for the IEEE to prove itself and sustain positively in the market.
The main drawback of Wi-Fi in comparison to Bluetooth was its portability. Bluetooth could be placed anywhere on the body or bag and accessed. This made applications like voice mailing, sending emails and others very feasible and convenient for the users. This was not so feasible with IEEE because their components and devices were comparatively bigger and hence not easy. Today, we have Wi-Fi products in a much more compact manner and hence are more mobile and portable. These components thus can be now embedded into mobiles that were not possible with IEEE components earlier. Their embedding into mobiles, iPods and tablets has increased their mobility and more friendly for the users. Mobile phones have made the Wi-Fi accessibility much easier.
The applications of the to remain almost the same for the two technologies except that Wi-Fi out powers Bluetooth in terms of range, cover ability, power and bit rate. Moreover, any transfer of data over Wi-Fi is much more secured as compared with the transfers of Bluetooth. The encryption is strong and there are less chances of sending virus and worms across the network. Bluetooth and IEEE have been moving together in the market. Bluetooth is much prevalent among the common users but tech savvy people prefer to have IEEE standards as they offer better applications and facilities. (P. Gupta, Bluetooth Technology, 2012)
Advantages and disadvantages of Bluetooth security compared with IEEE 802.11
Bluetooth device is one of the best platforms for all devices to connect and communicate with each other. Also connectivity to the internet can be easily done without the use of cables and connectors. The Bluetooth technology is used successfully in most of the products manufactured by many blue chip companies that include IT & ITES, Automobiles, Telecom, etcVariety of products like printers, laptops and keywords have got Bluetooth radios installed in it. This whole idea related to this technology originated in 1994 when researches were done by a team which was lead by Dr. Hearten and Dr. Mattson. Studies were conducted on low power wireless connectivity so as to eliminate the use of cables in cell phones, computers and other peripheral devices. This technology is anticipated to be secure with authentication, encryption, quality of service, control and various other security features. The best part with its security mechanism is this one can set the set the device in searchable mode (visible to other devices) or they can even set it to non discoverable mode. Its key features are robustness, low power consumption as well as low cost involved.
Advantages of Bluetooth Security:
This technology is most suitable for small battery powered devices because of its low power consumption. This makes it more suitable for consumer electronic devices. It can handle both data and voice transmissions, and covers shorter distances. This technology can be used in cordless phone within 10m range, and this feature is not going to be available in Wi-Fi in near future. Seven devices can be connected at a single time, and for security it offers two levels of password protection. Because it is wireless, one does not need to carry a lot number of connectors as well as attachments in order to connect the peripherals. One does not need any extra efforts to make Bluetooth work; the devices themselves start communication between themselves without any user input. (Tabona Andrew Z., Wireless Networking, 19 April, 2005)
Disadvantages of Bluetooth Security:
The moment the system is set up in discoverable mode, it becomes easy to scan it using another PC and then anyone can download private data. This has often led to high profile attacks on celebrities. Even when someone sets his device in non-discoverable mode, the system still becomes visible to those who are familiar to Bluetooth MAC Address. This normally happens with devices which have paired earlier through Bluetooth. The rate for data transfer is only 1MBps while in case of Infrared it is 4MBps. Bluetooth appears to be bit slowly for video transfers as well as for large photo images from a digital camera as it operates at a slower speed of 720 kbps. And this makes Wi-Fi more suitable for it. There are many devices which operate at much faster rate as compared to blue tooth, and this makes it slow for video transfers as well as difficult for moving large photo images from a digital camera. Devices like cordless phones, baby monitors match the frequency range of Bluetooth that is 2.45 Gigahertz. In order to avoid interference from other systems, it sends out a weak signal of 1 mill watt which limits its range to 10metres. Wi-Fi and LAN adaptors are considered more powerful as compared to Bluetooth technology.
Evolution of Bluetooth standard evolving to meet new requirements
The original aim of Bluetooth was to get rid of the cables that had tied the technological world, where everything including a monitor, a keyboard, a mouse and even a printer is plugged into the back of the computer. And for normal users, it becomes very difficult to locate the correct plug. The Bluetooth developers soon realized that apart from just being a connection point for all peripheral devices, this works as wireless network of less speed. What makes it extremely powerful is this that it can be used wherever one goes. As this technology keeps on growing, there will be many devices available in market which will have Bluetooth chips built in. There are many devices like phones, laptops and PDA’s which have Bluetooth built in it. Sometimes people compare Bluetooth with wireless technology; however on certain points Bluetooth enjoys a better position. Wi-Fi connection uses direct- sequencing spread spectrum which instead of sending data individually sends data over several frequencies simultaneously. And they reuse the packet keys thus making the device more prone to attacks. They use the same key for authentication process as well as encryption, whereas separate keys are being used by Bluetooth. (Exforsys Inc, 15 January, 2011)
The initial version of Bluetooth 1.0 contained a number of bugs as well as hardware compatibility issues. In order to remove this, Bluetooth 1.1 was released which included a device that used a default hardware identifier while communicating with other devices. Next in number was advanced version of Bluetooth 1.2 which further resolved bug issues as well as ensures faster connection speed as well as improved data transmission rate. Bluetooth 2.0 came with Enhanced Data Rate Feature that allowed data transmission at a much higher speed. Bluetooth 2.1 came with features of Secure Simple Pairing which improved connection speed as well as security issue. Bluetooth 3.0 came with optional High Speed features which can allow data transfer rates up to 24 megabytes per second, enhanced power control in order to switch between Bluetooth and 802.11 modes. There is also one more technology known as Alternate MAC/ PHY which allows switching from one data model to another. Bluetooth 4.0 came with low energy protocol and this helped to reduce power consumption and thus extend battery life. It uses the low energy protocols by itself or uses the lower energy versions of previous available Bluetooth Protocols. The governing body which has been given the charge of maintaining Bluetooth Standard has came up with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate). This would make the device more secure and it will require less power. It will even increase the battery life in various Bluetooth devices by up to five times. Version 2.1 +EDR enable ultra short range technology which allows pairing of devices in a very short span of time. (Agilent Technologies, January 4, 2010)
Conclusion:
With the passage of time, technology is becoming advanced and if we go by the fact it has actually started to rule the world. And that is the reason why everything is becoming automated where every child has got the name of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi at the tip of their tongue. They have made the things convenient as well as less time taking. Just we need to switch on the mode of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and things can be shared so easily without the use of cables and wires. Both have brought a revolution in this technological world. The difference between then lies in terms of range, power, price as well as bit rate. And both have got advantages as well as disadvantages. From the time of their birth, both the technologies have evolved a lot, and with their every updated version they are bringing more benefits to the end users.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are often compared for their applications. The truth is that the two cannot be compared much. The only difference lies in the range, power, price, and bit rate. Wi-Fi seems to provide better services in comparison to Bluetooth but then Bluetooth is more compact. Moreover, its availability, portability and price add on to its advantages. Bluetooth has lesser security as that of Wi-Fi. Bluetooth has been evolving since its birth and at every version developed it provides the best benefits to its users. There are also variants available in the market but Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi have stood firm attracting most of the market. IEEE has sustained its position by now bringing its products to the market at rates compared to Bluetooth and as compact and portable as them. With tech savvy preferring Wi-Fi to Bluetooth, WI-Fi has an added advantage. (M. Bialoglowly, Nov 2, 2010)
References
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