Bluetooth and (not Versus) Wi-Fi

Er is nog steeds veel verwarring omtrend Bluetooth en 802.11 (wifi), hun overeenkomst en verschillen. Bluetooth en 802.11 zijn geen echte concurrenten van elkaar, zij complimenteren elkaar juist.

Na gepraat te hebben met een medewerker van Extended Systems Inc. (Extended Systems has licensed its Bluetooth software development kits (embedded and windows) to more than 100 companies for implementation in next-generation products. Customers include Palm (Palms Bluetooth SDK=Extended Systems Bluetooth SDK), 3Com, Motorola, Hewlett-Packard, Fujitsu, FlashPoint, Xircom, Red-M, Nissin, Taiyo Yuden, NEC, Mitsubishi (TRIUM, France), Crossbow, JVC, Hughes Network Systems and Visteon, just to name a few.) en mijn eigen dd heb ik de volgende informatie verzamelt mbt Bluetooth en 802.11.

Little Bluetooth Review:

-No battery-sapping: Low power
-Robust wireless connection method with a small footprint that makes it very well suited for millions of handheld devices
(A Bluetooth chip, designed to communicate in the 10m range, consumes only 1mW of power, compared to an 802.11b chip, which consumes more than 1W. A single Bluetooth chipset is also fairly small, with a size of 8x8mm, compared to the smallest 802.11b at 30x14mm.)
-Chips will be cheap (volume)
-Bluetooth does not need a base radio station because every device can create a local network.
-Another advantage of Bluetooth as a cable replacement technology are the applications (*e.g http://www.bluetags.com ). Retail kiosks, pay phones, and other public access points will support proximity services.
-Bluetooth also holds an advantage concerning voice communication. Here, Bluetooth can be used in a cordless phone within a 10m range, in an office environment or home, without the need for handoffs. Other WLAN technologies need voice-over-IP to support voice communication

Take a moment to consider the major differences between Bluetooth and 802.11b.

Data and Voice: 802.11b is a higher bandwidth standard optimised for rapid transfer of large amounts of data. Although voice can be sent (as compressed files), it's not ideal for audio. Bluetooth has a reasonable data transfer rate suitable for handling moderately sized data files, plus, plus designed-for-purpose audio channel capability.

Chipsets: as the picture overleaf shows, the spread-spectrum, high data burst handling capabilities, and range of 802.11b make it a ore complex standard. Today it takes typically three chips to implement, compared with the two or one of Class 2 Bluetooth silicon. And while it's always conceivable that further integration will take place, there's no getting away from the fact that it's behind Bluetooth in the integration stakes, and will be so because of its relative complexity. That basic issue unfolds into cost, real-estate and power consumtion strands, each of which has a major impact on applications potential, particularly at the smaller end of the portable gadget industry.

Communications protocol layers: 802.11b is designed as a communications channel to be host processor running TCP/IP. Bluetooth defines more communications protocol layers and implements real applications. For the foreseeable medium-term future in the potential for each standard in embedded systmes.

Security: 802.11b currently offers only 64 bit keylength encryption (adding: some offer 128 bits), which is much less secure than the 128 bits of Bluetooth - as the recent Airsnort publicity has demonstrated.

These differences all lead to a natural partitioning of applications. For the out-and-out business applications involving large amounts of data transfer, 802.11b is undoubtedly a good choice. If the system involves audio, only moderate sided data transfer, or if it's targeted at consumer goods - Bluetoot is best. Starting from today's mainstream Bluetooth applications of the mobile phone and pc's, the cost, size and power characteristics of Bluetooth will undoubtledly edge it further towares the single-chip embedded system markets. It's hard to see how 802.11b could ever be crammed into a headset, let alone some of the extreme cost-sensitive embedded Bluetooth applications such as luggage security tags and handheld games for kids. So, for phones cameras, portable games and gadgets, and linking devices to pc's and networks, Bluetooth's a must. What's more likely (as we're already seeing) is that business equipment OEMs will come out with dual-purpose Bluetooth and 802.11b capability.
You might encapsulate this partitioning as 802.11b for corporate applications, Bluetooth for everything else. Given that scenario, Microsoft's initial support for 802.11 is understandable, but Bluetooth will surely follow (ADDING: the writer is refering to Microsofts Windows XP. Both Microsofts Pocket PC 2002 and there New Mobile OS also known as Talisker and now called Windows CE.Net support Bluetooth already. Windows XP will have Bluetooth support soon 'Microsoft: Windows XP to support Bluetooth' http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/1...idg/index.html )

Indeed, the arguments are so clear and so strong, it's hard to imagine how there is even a question mark over Bluetooth. Once can only put it down to worries and fear of business planners given the recent downturn, and/or uninformed and under-researched reporters. As Micrologic Research analyst Jack Quinn remarks this week in Electronic Buyers News: "People who say there's competition between 802.11 and Bluetooth either don't understand that they serve two different markets, or simply want notoriety based on sensationalism"

http://www.ericsson.com/bluetooth/im...35_sept011.pdf
Bluetooth vs. 802.11b: And the winner is? ;o)
http://pd.pennnet.com/Articles/Artic...WORD=Bluetooth

http://www.bluetooth.com
http://www.bluetooth.org
http://www.bluetoothweb.com/
http://www.bluetoothweb.com/Products/Products.htm

The 802.11 (wifi) site
http://www.wi-fi.org/
Member companies
http://www.wi-fi.org/sponsors.asp

Bluetooth: The Truth
http://www.luskinreport.com/rtw/archive/20010910rtw.htm
http://www.luskinreport.com/rtw/archive/20010923rtw.htm

The Bluetooth Members
http://www.bluetooth.org/membership/...LLER=index.tpl

Bluetooth has a faster future
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/story/0,,t269-s2096839,00.html

As far as i know: BT 2.0 (now called BT high rate @ 10Mbps) will be published toward the middle of 2003 as a .9 spec (able to be designed to as a non-prototype). The BT 1.2 spec. (BT enhancements) will likely include AFH, a quicker handshake process, improved QoS, etc. The other red herring is the BT med rate @ 2-4 Mbps (the cost for 2-4 mbps is power and die size.) will also come out toward the middle of 2003.

ALL THESE WILL BE 100% BACKWARD COMPATIBLE TO THE CORE 1.1 SPEC.

BLUETOOTH WIRELESS STANDARD LINKING LAPTOPS AND OTHER PORTABLES
http://industryclick.com/magazineart...0148&siteid=13

Bluetooth targets broader market
http://investor.ft.com/custom/ftmark...tory.asp?guid={15E11EE5-B635-4CF5-9272-A4B151FE11CD}&source=yahoo1

Bluetooth delays are not for lack of potential
By Eva Skoglund, product manager,OSE Systems

One would think that a standard that enables the reduction or elimination of wires in most of our office and home environments would instantly lead to mass production of short-range wireless devices and a flooding of new applications on the market. But Bluetooth (BT) is still taking its hesitant first steps into application development, and has barely made an impression on end-user consciousness. There are several reasons for this, none of which represents a significant barrier to entry--BT will eventually make its way into our lives; these are a few of the reasons why it hasn't done so yet.

-Revolution, not evolution: BT is a new technology, not a modification of existing technology. Very few innovations become successful after only a couple of years, and the rarity of revolutionary technologies makes it easy to forget how long they take to reach market potential. Consider initial CLI-run PCs and the first PDAs. In the mid-80s most people were still celebrating the new year by hand-copying last year's notes into a new calendar and address book.

-Bluetooth qualification: One of BT's major strengths is the notion of complete interoperability between Bluetooth devices. Before anything can be branded "Bluetooth," it must pass a formal qualification that ensures compatibility with all other devices conforming to the standard. This is a complicated process that's also daunting in terms of development time and costs. Companies that are truly committed to the BT standard now have staff members who are approved BT Qualifiers. There aren't many of these available... yet.

-Complex mix of hardware and software: In a BT application, the combination of hardware and software is often complicated, and must produce a technological solution that's as economically feasible and resilient as the wires used in today's applications. While this is currently in development, the technology is still somewhat immature and must be thoroughly tested before early adoption can begin in earnest.

-Availability: The early BT modules have been somewhat difficult to procure from BT vendors. This is good news because it signifies high demand from design teams creating the first generation of BT applications. But the delays in product availability are also a factor in the slow time-to-market and adoption.

-Market slow-down: Last but not least, the current slow-down in telecom and datacom trickles down to every development project. Businesses and consumers are more reluctant to invest in new, untested technologies at a time when money is best placed in savings or in keeping a business running. Bluetooth and other innovations will naturally suffer setbacks in a time of economic belt-tightening and purchase postponement.

There are over 500 Qualified Bluetooth Products at the moment (part of them are based on 1.0b version by the way)
http://qualweb.opengroup.org/Templat...h_SpecVersion=

OEMs send Bluetooth vendors a reality check
Delays and technical glitches hold up predicted deluge of Bluetooth-enabled products.
http://pd.pennnet.com/Articles/Artic...WORD=Bluetooth

Bluetooth and (not Versus) Wi-Fi articles:

The phony conflict
IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth wireless technology
http://www-106.ibm.com/developerwork...rary/wi-phone/

BLUETOOTH AND 802.11b
Understanding these two technologies and how they can benefit you
By Michelle Man
January 2002
http://www.socketcom.com/pdf/TechBriefWireless.pdf

Bluetooth and (not Versus) Wi-Fi

I've been corresponding the last few days with a fellow author working on breaking down the differences between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi/802.11b, and I think I've come up with a clear set of differences on the approach that developers, makers, and backers of the two take to the respective technologies.

Bluetooth proponents picture a world of roaming devices and people: at any point, you might want to sync your Palm to your computer, transfer info between a cell phone and a laptop, print to a nearby printer, retrieve a stock quote, or perform some relatively low-bandwidth task that requires the cooperation of another device. You might also want to be able to create ad hoc workgroups with the people you're standing or sitting near, exchanging a variety of rich but compact information. The cable replacement notion originally pushed seems less relevant with the improvement in USB hardware and software; rather, it's the opportunistic quality of Bluetooth that's appealing. Wherever you are, whenever you need it, you can use resources.

Wi-Fi backers break the world into zones at home, work, and on the road, that offer access to larger networks: Wi-Fi's current purpose is to create a seamless entity that you can plug into and out of with no wire, no plug, and no configuration. As the mesh of public hot spots grows finer, and as more offices and homes install Wi-Fi networks, a Wi-Fi user should never need to have a particular place to work, or one in which network-style resources (Web, fileservers, corporate network, email, streaming media) shouldn't be available on demand and with minimal fuss.

Distilled: Wi-Fi solves bandwidth-heavy, network-based (whether intranet or Internet) connectivity; Bluetooth offers ad hoc, resource-based opportunistic availability.

from
http://80211b.weblogger.com/

Can Bluetooth, Wi-Fi coexist in the future?
http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20020201S0036

For speed: there's 802.11, everything else, Bluetooth
http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20020201S0040

Cats and Dogs Living Together: A Comparison of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11b). This White Paper clarifies the differences and similarities between two popular wireless standards.
http://www.pico.net/download/PicoBluetooth-Wi-Fi.pdf

Bluetooth and Wireless LANs
Useful links and documents regarding co-existence, interference and interoperability between Bluetooth and wireless LANs.
http://www.palowireless.com/bluetooth/bt_wlans.asp

Bluetooth and 802.11: A Tale of Two Technologies
http://www.10meters.com/blue_802.html

Setting The Record Straight On Bluetooth
http://boards.fool.com/Message.asp?mid=15812543

Will Wi-Fi (802.11b) deal a serious blow to the success of Bluetooth? Most experts answer with a conditional "no." Phil Belanger, past president and current marketing director for WECA (http://www.wi-fi.org), believes that Wi-Fi will not make Bluetooth obsolete. "Bluetooth is a cable replacement, not a real network like Wi-Fi," notes Phil Belanger.
http://www.planetee.com/planetee/ser...rticleID=15964

What you can do with Bluetooth
http://www.3com.com/other/metafiles/...lsen080701.ram (Real Audio)

Coexistence of IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth Devices
http://www.wlana.com/learn/bluecoexst.pdf

Texas Instruments Provides Insight on Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11b
Co-Existence
http://www.ti.com/sc/docs/news/2001/01041.htm
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi — Working Together
http://www.broadbandweek.com/ti_seri...07_coexist.htm

Conflicts between Bluetooth and wireless LANs called minor
http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20010220S0040

Silicon Wave recently announced a cooperative agreement with Intersil Corp.,
one of two primary providers of 802.11b chip sets, to develop a
Bluetooth/802.11b combination solution.
http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20010223S0017

Bluetooth can coexist with 802.11
http://www.planetanalog.com/features/OEG20010226S0036

Symbol is also developing technologies that would allow simultaneous operation of 802.11 and Bluetooth radios in the same portable device, like a handheld computer or PDA.
http://www.symbol.com/products/wirel..._bluetoot.html

Mobilian: Eliminating 802.11b/Bluetooth Interference
http://www.planetee.com/planetee/ser...rticleID=14803
http://www.mobilian.com/documents/Ch...he_Problem_pdf
http://standards.ieee.org/announceme...2mobilian.html

Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.15.2 Coexistence Task Group
http://www.ieee802.org/15/pub/TG2.html

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Enabling Coexistence
http://www.ce-mag.com/archive/01/05/lansford.html

Wireless Networking Magazine, July Issue
Coexistence Nirvana: Simultaneous Operation of Wi-Fi (802.11) and Bluetooth
http://www.mobilian.com/documents/FH...ingArticle.pdf

Putting both Bluetooth and 802.11b in the same chipset. http://www.e-insite.net/electronicne...icleId=CA82180

Dueling devices may coexist in peace
http://www.oregonlive.com/technw/ore...1mobil07.frame

Integrating Bluetooth And WLANs
http://www.wirelessdesignonline.com/...cle.asp?DocID={13813345-1958-11D5-A770-00D0B7694F32

Glenn Fleishman on coexistence http://80211b.weblogger.com/coexiste...l#update041201

Bluetooth & Wi-Fi: The Crusade for Coexistence
http://www.instat.com/abstracts/mm/2...0102bw_abs.htm

Coexistence Presentations
http://www.ieee802.org/15/pub/TG2-Te...entations.html

Bluetooth Coexistence with other wireless standards
http://www.codebluecommunications.co...whitepaper.pdf

Coexistence Papers
http://www.cc.jyu.fi/~ngerman/HANNIB..._of_papers.htm

Enabling Wi-Fi™ and Bluetooth™
“Coexistence without Compromise™”

Product Overview
The TrueRadio™ system is the industry's first multi-standard wireless solution that integrates Wi-Fi™ and Bluetooth™ technologies into a cost-effective, two-chip solution. In addition to enabling fully standards-compliant operation of these two complementary technologies, the TrueRadio system provides simultaneous operation of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling “Coexistence without Compromise™.” TrueRadio is the first step towards realizing Mobilian's TrueConnectivity™ vision: to enable computing and communications devices to automatically detect wireless networking opportunities, select the best ones, and connect to them seamlessly and reliably.

more
http://www.mobilian.com/TrueRadio_frame.htm

"At you service"

gr,

Wim
Leeuwarden

p.s Misschien dat 'Wireless' een nieuw Palmclub forum onderwerp kan zijn!?