Epson Bluetooth Print Adapter Technical Brief
B l u e t o o t h
W i r e l e s s
T e c h n o l o g y
Contents
This technical brief provides detailed information on the wireless connectivity technology Bluetooth.
Functionality
Specifications
Expected Product Applications
Issues
Product Comparison
More Information
Functionality
What is Bluetooth?
▲
Bluetooth is a new low-cost,
wireless technology designed for
mobile computing and
communications devices which
can create a personal network
(sometimes called a piconet)
around your mobile computer
for your mobile phone, PDA,
and other peripherals to send or
exchange data or voice, and
access the Internet.
▲
Bluetooth is intended to
eliminate cable interconnection
of most personal digital devices
for point-to-point
communications, and offers a
versatile topology: Point-to-point
(cable replacement); Point-to-
ad-hoc
multipoint (
▲
This new technology has very
broad industry support with over
1850 companies joining the
Bluetooth Special Interest Group
(SIG).
networking).
Point-to-Point
Bluetooth offers
point-to-point
connections
between digital
devices anywhere
in the world.
Point-to-Multipoint
Mobile meetings
are even easier
with Bluetooth
wireless
connections
linking all of the
participants for
easy file sharing.
Piconet (Personal network)
A Bluetooth
customer can
create a personal
network linking
all of his
Bluetoothenabled digital
devices.
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Technical Brief—Bluetooth wireless technology Page 2
Specifications
▲
Bluetooth technology offers a maximum range of 10 meters with a maximum speed of 721Kbits per
second.
▲
Bluetooth uses low-powered radio waves (with output levels lower than those used by cellular phones) in
order to transmit data on a frequency-hopping system where signals "hop" around a channel to send
data.
Expected Product Applications
▲
The EPSON Printer adapter will be available Fall 2000 and is targeted at several of EPSON's ink jet
printers.
▲▲
Bluetooth will be built-in to some next-generation cellular phones, PDAs, 2-way pagers, notebook
computers, MP3 players, digital still cameras, desktop printers, desktop computers, video projectors, etc.
Aftermarket PCMCIA cards will be developed for notebook computers.
Issues
▲
Some Bluetooth products may suffer from potential RF interference from microwave ovens, which
could limit range and effective data transfers.
▲
Since Bluetooth operates in the same frequency band as some cordless phones and 802.11b wireless
devices there could be potential interference with these products as well.
▲
Encryption is not available in version 1.0, so some people see security as a concern.
▲
Bluetooth, while very flexible as a wireless transmitter, is much slower than many other types of
connection. Its bandwidth is 1/16th the speed of USB (721Kbps vs. 12Mbps).
Product Comparison
Bluetooth Parallel USB FireWire® 802.11b
Connection
Maximum Speed
Operating Range
Wireless
721Kbps
10 meters
Cable
3Mbps
5 meters
Cable
12Mbps
3 meters
Cable
400Mbps
14 feet
Products first
Introduced
2000
1978
1997
1998
More information
For more information on Bluetooth technology check out these sites:
▲
http://www.intel.com/mobile/bluetooth/
▲
http://www.bluetooth.com/
▲
http://bluetooth.ericsson.se
Wireless
11Mbps
150 - 300 feet
1999
EPSON Sales Training 11/00
EPSON is a registered trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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