Chapter 1 - Introduction

Abstract

This chapter introduces the wireless connectivity and Bluetooth wireless technology. It also provides an overview of the Bluetooth protocol stack, Java platform, micro edition, and the need for Java technology in Bluetooth devices. Wireless connection has been used for a long time to communicate with satellites, cordless phones, cellular phones, and remote control devices. However, in recent years the wireless communications industry has seen explosive growth. Long-range wireless communication invariably uses radio frequency (RF). Short-range communications can use either RF or infrared and typically use unlicensed parts of the frequency spectrum. There are many short-range wireless standards, but the three main ones are Infrared from the Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Bluetooth wireless technology, and wireless local area network (WLAN). Bluetooth wireless technology is an open specification for a low-cost, low-power, short-range radio technology for ad hoc wireless communication of voice and data anywhere in the world.