Bluetooth Technology: How does Bluetooth work and how different is it from Wi-Fi? Know every information related to radio waves, pairing and BLE technology…
Bluetooth Explained: Nowadays, Bluetooth has become an important part of our everyday life. Wireless earbuds, smartwatch, speaker, keyboard, mouse and car music system… all these work without any cable with the help of Bluetooth. But do you know how Bluetooth works? How do mobile and earbuds transmit voice or data to each other without wires? Let us know how the answer to every question is hidden in the technology of radio waves…
What is Bluetooth?
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication technology. Its function is to send and receive data over short distances between two or more electronic devices. It does not depend on the internet or mobile network. That means, even if your phone doesn’t have internet, you can still connect earbuds or speakers via Bluetooth.
How does Bluetooth work?
Bluetooth works on the 2.4 gigahertz (GHz) frequency band. This is the same band that some Wi-Fi networks and other wireless devices also use. When you turn on Bluetooth on a device, it searches for other Bluetooth devices nearby. If both devices recognize each other and you allow the connection, they are paired. After this, both the devices start exchanging data with the help of radio waves.
What is pairing in Bluetooth?
Pairing means that two devices recognize each other and create a secure connection. For example, when you connect wireless earbuds to the mobile for the first time, their name appears in the phone. You tap on it and within a few seconds both devices are connected. After this, the next time you turn on Bluetooth, it often gets connected automatically.
How does sound reach so quickly?
When you listen to a song through Bluetooth earbuds, the mobile first converts the voice into digital data. Then this data reaches the earbuds through radio waves. Earbuds convert that digital data back into voice. This entire process happens so fast that we do not feel any delay at all.
What is the difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi?
Both are wireless technologies, but their work is different. Bluetooth is designed to connect devices over short distances by consuming less power. Wi-Fi is used for fast internet and large data transfer over long distances. This is the reason why Bluetooth is used in earbuds and smartwatches, while Wi-Fi is used to run the internet.
Is Bluetooth safe?
Many features of encryption and security are provided in the latest Bluetooth technology, which helps in keeping the data safe. Still some precautions are necessary. As-
- Do not always keep Bluetooth on in public places.
- Do not accept pairing requests from unknown devices.
- Turn off Bluetooth when not needed.
- Keep your device’s software updated.
What are the range or limitations of Bluetooth?
Bluetooth has limited range. If you go too far, the connection is lost. Apart from this, walls, metal products and other wireless signals also sometimes affect its quality.
Bluetooth related data
- Bluetooth works on the 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) frequency band.
- The normal range of Bluetooth Classic is about 10 meters.
- BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) is designed to consume less electricity, so it is used more in smartwatches, fitness bands and IoT devices.
- Bluetooth technology was developed by Bluetooth SIG (Bluetooth Special Interest Group) in 1998.
- Billions of Bluetooth devices (smartphones, earbuds, car systems, smart home devices, etc.) come into the market every year around the world.
Content Source: Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), Britannica, Qualcomm, HowStuffWorks.