Who developed Bluetooth technology

Bluetooth history

Bluetooth takes its name from a character in history called Harald Bluetooth. He was born in 910AD and the Bluetooth concept takes his name because in 940AD he had the ability to Unite two warring countries, Denmark and Norway. The founders of Bluetooth took the name of Harald Bluetooth because of the way he united two countries together and in the same way Bluetooth unites two dissimilar components. Bluetooth technology can unite different technologies like mobile phones, computers, printers, headsets etc.

The first to try and discover a way to provide low cost, low power interfaces was a company called Ericsson Mobile Communications. Starting in 1994 the probed ways of linking computers and mobile phones wirelessly. In 1998, Lund Switzerland saw the formation of like minded companies who united into an association called the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Coming from different backgrounds the group included market leaders in laptop manufacturing, the cell phone industry and digital signal processing. Included in this group where Motorola, Nokia, Intel, Toshiba, Agere, Ericsson, IBM, and Microsoft. These companies now promote development and research into the technology of Bluetooth.

Bluetooth specifications where developed by Jaap Haartsen and Sven Mattisson two employees of Ericsson Mobile Platforms. Developed in Scandinavia Bluetooth technology is able to unite different components from different industries such as computing, cell phones and automotive markets. This wireless technology is based on a frequency hopping spread spectrum providing a secure radio signal that combines and simplifies multiple forms of communication.

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group made a firm commitment to have Bluetooth technology installed in various devices and by 2002 Bluetooth technology was installed in PC’s, notebooks, desktop computers and over 100 million mobile phones had the technology as well as millions of other communications devices.

What exactly is Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is a wireless communications network which operates on a short-range radio frequency. When connected to various devices such as mobile phones and computers it provides a way of exchanging information as well and the Bluetooth technology can be used on any other apparatus that is provided with it’s built in features. It is medically safe to use due to its low power use, and the information is carried over a short-range radio bandwidth, known as ISM which is secure, and scientifically sound.

To be able to connect to one another devices need to have Bluetooth profiles and need to be compatible with each other. Once the profiles are enabled you should be able to use such things as hands free headsets with mobile phones, and wireless networking and communications which use printers, keyboards and a mouse.

Bluetooth Versions

Bluetooth has seen many improved qualities with many changes since version 1.0 in 1998 which had many teething problems, like most technology. The lack of devices able to communicate with each other was one of the problems.

Version 1.1 saw great improvements and it became a truly operable product with devices being able to communicate properly.

Version 1.2 was in general a better all round product, with vast voice quality improvement, backward compatibility and overall had better all round benefits.

Version2.0 saw more improvements and features and now version 3.0 is able to communicate with several devices using a Bluetooth master device in which the slave can become the master at any given time. The master has the ability to switch between devices very fast.

One other technology that is similar is Wi-Fi but it uses a different operating system although the operating range is greater with Wi-Fi. The Bluetooth advantage is in its costs, much cheaper than the more expensive hardware used by Wi-Fi. The Bluetooth setup of its services between many devices is simpler, can be automated and security is easier. Wi-Fi is more complicated to set up and needs to have devices configured to set up shared resources which are more for Ethernet networking. Bluetooth is more powerful and has better connections whilst Wi-Fi is better suited for operating larger networks. 

For operating Bluetooth on a computer it requires Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher. If you run an Apple computer it has been supported by Bluetooth technology since 2002. Bluetooth instillation has been carried out on most computers but if not a device called a dongle can be used provided you have windows XP and service pack 2. The dongle device allows various devices to communicate with your computer.

The future of Bluetooth is bright and it has become the world wide wireless standard system. In the future High quality audio and video data will have a much higher quality as Bluetooth improves and the alternative for transporting Bluetooth profile data is MAC PHY. Automatic configuration will be carried out by using Topology Management, and broadcast channelling, which will enable Bluetooth in other devises. Manufacturers are now jumping on the bandwagon and using Bluetooth technology and as more components use it the technology will grow. While other technology may go Bluetooth is here for the long term.