Bluetooth Technology And Infrared Technology
With electronic devices being invented every day, the issue of connectivity and compatibility between technologies should become more and more difficult to resolve. Devices like mobile phones are no longer simply tools for communication. They are used as movie cameras, music players, radios, and storage units for digital photography. Similar advances are seen in laptops, personal computers, landline telephones, printers, GPS receivers, digital cameras, scanners, photocopiers, and video game consoles.
If the software on one device is compatible with another, it would be marvellous to be able to connect the two without the use of cables and wires. Bluetooth technology enables easy communication between these devices so that once they are within range of each other, establishing a link between the two is automatic.
Hardware can communicate use other wireless means to talk with other hardware. Light beams, lasers, and infrared can be employed. However, line of sight between hardware is required for infrared technology to be effective. Furthermore, many pieces of technology still struggle to communicate with each other due to the incompatible nature of the connections between each component.
Bluetooth technology is an inexpensive solution to the connectivity problems. Because of its popularity, it is a standard method of communication between portable and fixed devices.
The Problems with Infrared as Against Bluetooth Technology
Infrared uses low frequency light waves to transmit signals between hardware without the use of wires. The costs of integrating infrared technology into a network or device is not high.
Infrared has its flaws, not least the fact that it requires the devices to be within sight of each other. It is also a one to one technology. Communication takes place between just two devices at the same time rather than the greater number that could be found on a network.
The Benefits of Infrared as Against Bluetooth Technology
Infrared also has its benefits. It is difficult to hack into technology that uses infrared, as the hacker's device also has to be in line of sight with the devices communicating on the network. So this disadvantage becomes a benefit when it comes to network security. Transmission and reception are rarely compromised on an infrared link. Again, the fact that sight to sight communication is the only kind permissible means that little interference can occur between hardware that uses infrared technology.
However, the enhanced security that infrared offers fades when compared with the near ubiquity of Bluetooth technology. Unfortunately, Bluetooth technology's use of low radio frequencies means that it uses the same band as baby monitors, the latest cordless phones and garage-door openers. Interference is mitigated by the fact that Bluetooth signals are very weak. However, a crucial issue among Bluetooth developers is guaranteeing that such devices interfere with each other as little as possible.
