Version Data rate Maximum application throughput 1.2 1Mbit/s >80 kbit/s 2.0 + EDR 3 Mbit/s >80 kbit/s 3.0 + HS 24 Mbit/s Please refer to 3.0 + HS 4.0 24 Mbit/s Please refer to 4.0 LE Effective range varies depending on transmission conditions, material coverage, production sample antenna configuration and battery status. Most Bluetooth applications are designed for indoor environments where signal degradation due to wall attenuation and signal reflections can result in ranges well below the range specified by the Bluetooth product. Most Bluetooth applications are battery-powered Class 2 devices. Whether the other device is Class 1 or Class 2, the range difference is not significant because the range is usually dependent on the lower-powered device. In some cases, the effective range of the data chain can be extended when a Class 2 device is connected to a Class 1 transceiver with higher sensitivity and transmit power than a typical Class 2 device. In most cases, however, the sensitivity of the Class 1 device is similar to that of the Class 2 device.
When two Class 1 devices with higher sensitivity and transmit power are connected, the range can be well above the typical level of 100m, depending on the throughput required by the application. Some devices are capable of ranges of up to 1km or more in open environments.
The Bluetooth core specification specifies a minimum range, but technically the range is application-dependent and unlimited. Manufacturers can tailor the range to the actual use case. I. Main article: Bluetooth profiles
To use Bluetooth wireless technology, a device must be able to decipher certain Bluetooth profiles, which define possible applications and specify the general behavior of communication between Bluetooth devices. These profiles include the initial settings for communication parameters and controls. Profiles can save time in re-sending parameters before the two-way link takes effect. A wide range of Bluetooth profiles describe many different kinds of applications or device use cases. Second, a list of applications
Wireless control and communication between a cell phone and a hands-free headset. This was one of the early popular applications. Wireless control and communication between a cell phone and a Bluetooth-compatible car stereo system. Wireless control and communication for devices such as tablets and speakers powered by iOS or Android. Wireless Bluetooth headsets and walkie-talkies. A headset is sometimes referred to simply as "a Bluetooth". Wireless audio streaming to the headset, no communication capabilities. Wireless network between PCs with low bandwidth requirements in a limited space. A wireless connection between a computer and an input/output device, such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer. Transfer of files, detailed address book information, calendar scheduling, memos, etc. between devices that can exchange objects. Replaces earlier wired RS-232 serial communications on test equipment, GPS receivers, medical equipment, bar code scanners, traffic control equipment. Used for control where infrared was often used before. Low bandwidth applications that do not require higher USB bandwidth and require wireless connectivity. Sending small advertisements from an advertisement board that utilizes Bluetooth to other Bluetooth-enabled devices that can be detected. Wireless bridge between two industrial Ethernet (e.g. PROFINET) networks The controllers of three seventh and eighth generation game consoles, Nintendo's Wii and Sony's PlayStation 3, respectively, employ Bluetooth Dial-up Internet access for personal computers or PDAs can use a cell phone with data exchange capability as a wireless modem. Health sensor data is transmitted over short distances from a medical device to a cell phone, set-top box, or specific telehealth device. Cordless phones are allowed to ring or answer calls instead of a nearby cell phone. Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) can be used to track and confirm the location of objects in real time through "nodes", "tags" affixed to or embedded in objects, and "readers" that receive and process wireless signals from these tags. Readers" that receive and process wireless signals from these tags to confirm location. A personal security application on a smartphone that prevents the loss or theft of items. Bluetooth identification (e.g., a tag) on a protected object to maintain continuous communication with the phone. If the connection is interrupted (e.g. the tag goes out of range of the phone) then an alarm sounds. This can also be used as a man overboard alarm. Products using this technology have been available since 2009. The road traffic department in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, uses data collected from travelers' Bluetooth devices to help motorists predict travel times and road congestion. Wireless transmission of audio (a more reliable alternative to FM transmitters) iii. Bluetooth vs. Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11)
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (the brand name for products using the IEEE 802.11 standard) have somewhat similar applications: setting up a network, printing, or transmitting files. Wi-Fi is primarily used as an alternative to high-speed Internet access used in the workplace. of high-speed cables used in general LAN access. This type of application is sometimes referred to as a wireless local area network (WLAN). Bluetooth is primarily used for portable devices and their applications. This type of application is also referred to as a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN). Bluetooth can replace cables for portable devices in many application scenarios, in being able to be used in some fixed locations such as smart home energy management (e.g. thermostats).
The applications of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are somewhat complementary; Wi-Fi is usually centered around an access point, which forms an asymmetric client-server connection with a routed network. Bluetooth, on the other hand, is usually a symmetric connection between two Bluetooth devices. Bluetooth is suitable for simple applications where two devices are connected by the simplest of configurations, such as headphones and remote control buttons, while Wi-Fi is more suited to applications where slightly more complex client setups are possible and high speeds are required, especially when accessing the network through an access node. However, Bluetooth access points do exist, and peer-to-peer connections are possible with Wi-Fi, though not as easy as with Bluetooth; Wi-Fi Direct is a recent development that adds Bluetooth-like peer-to-peer capabilities to Wi-Fi.
Devices
A Bluetooth-enabled USB dongle with a 100m range.
Bluetooth exists in many products, such as phones, tablets, media players, robotic systems, handhelds, laptops, gamepads, and some high-quality headphones, modems, watches and so on. Bluetooth technology is useful for transferring information between two or more devices in close proximity under low bandwidth conditions. Bluetooth is commonly used for voice transmission on telephones (e.g., Bluetooth headsets) or byte data transfer (file transfer) on handheld computer devices.
The Bluetooth protocol simplifies the discovery and setup of services between devices. Bluetooth devices can advertise the services they offer, which makes the use of the services easier because there is more security, network address, and license configuration that can be automated than with other types of networks.