Bluetooth

Definition: A wireless personal area network (PAN) founded in 1998 by Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Nokia and Toshiba. An open standard for short-range transmission of digital voice and data between mobile devices (laptops, PDAs, phones) and desktop devices. It supports point-to-point and multipoint applications. Provides up to 720 Kbps data transfer within a range of 10 meters and up to 100 meters with a power boost. Uses omnidirectional radio waves that can transmit through walls and other non-metal barriers. Transmits in the unlicensed 2.4GHz band and uses a frequency hopping spread spectrum technique that changes its signal 1600 times per second. If there is interference from other devices, the transmission does not stop, but its speed is affected and slowed.