Bluetooth Technology: Link Performance and Networking Issues

Bluetooth has recently obtained an unprecedented success in gaining a wide industry support. The main aim of Bluetooth is to eliminate interconnection cables and to connect one device to another via a universal radio link. First generation Bluetooth chipsets are limited in range to approximately 10 meters under typical line-of-sight conditions. Future implementations will provide roughly ten times that range. In the present paper, a performance assessment of Bluetooth, for both the long range and short range cases, is presented. In particular, the performance of the point-topoint link and the effectiveness of the error correcting codes mentioned in Bluetooth’s specifications will be carried out by means of Monte Carlo simulations. Moreover, some networking issues that may limit Bluetooth applicability in some environments will be pointed out. In addition, piconet throughput analysis is also provided. TM Telcordia is a trademark of Telcordia Technologies, Inc.