How Bluetooth Works
By Ashritha Raghavendra
April 25, 2022
What Does it Do?
Bluetooth is a low-power, short-range radio technology that connects two electronic devices within a maximum radius of 33 feet to share data.
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What’s in a Name?
This path-breaking technology is named after the Norwegian King — Harold ‘Bluetooth’ Gormsson — whose bad tooth got him the name ‘Bluetooth’.
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Better Together
Bluetooth devices connect when placed in close proximity, via radio waves emitted by computer chips inside them. These chips are activated when you switch on Bluetooth.
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Common Ground
The two devices then communicate over a short-range network of Bluetooth devices called piconet. These networks enable devices to connect instantly.
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The Principle of “Inquiry"
Scanning devices detect inquiries from other gadgets and demand information on the nature of the request.
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Decoding Transmission
Bluetooth uses algorithms called codecs to encode and decode data into smaller packets, making it easier to transmit different depths of data.
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Types of Codecs
Some of the popular types of codecs include SBC, AAC, aptX, and LDAC — these vary in terms of power usage, transfer rates, audio quality, stable connection range, etc.
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Fun Fact
In 2008, only 5% of mobile devices were Bluetooth-enabled. Today, more than 95% of mobile devices support Bluetooth connections.
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