Chapter 36: Wireless PersonalHome Area Networks

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With the widespread use of computers and other electronic gadgets, every office and every home is now a myriad of wires. These wires interconnect computers, peripherals, and office/home appliances. These wires create lots of maintenance problems. If we can interconnect these devices without wires through radio, there will be a tremendous advantage in terms of less maintenance, more reliability, and of course better looks. A number of technologies, such as Bluetooth, HomeRF, IrDA, and IEEE 802.11 provide this solution—we can interconnect devices through low-cost reliable radio. Out of these technologies, Bluetooth gained lot of popularity and market hype. During the next few years, every office and every home will have lots of Bluetooth-enabled devices. A large number of manufacturers have come out with Bluetooth hardware and software, but at present the cost of making a device Bluetooth enabled is high. In the years to come, every electronic device may be Bluetooth enabled. In this chapter, we will study the Bluetooth technology in detail and also briefly review competing technologies such as HomeRF and IrDA.

36.1 INTRODUCTION TO PERSONAL AREA NETWORKS (PANS)

A typical office or home or even a car is equipped with a number of electronic gadgets such as desktop, laptop, printer, modem, and mobile phone: These devices are interconnected through wires for using a service or for sharing information (such as transferring a file from desktop to laptop). These devices form a personal area network (PAN). When we bring two devices, say a laptop and a mobile phone, close to each other, these two can automatically form a network and exchange data. For example, we can transfer the address book from the mobile phone to the laptop. When two or more devices come close to one another, they form a network spontaneously; such networks are called ad hoc networks. In an ad hoc network, the topology and the number of nodes at any time are not fixed—the topology may change dynamically with time, and the number of nodes in the network also may change with time. All the headaches associated with administering such networks can be avoided if these devices are made to communicate through radio links and also if one device can find out the presence of other devices and their capabilities. The need for such PANs is everywhere—in offices at home, and also in cars.

start example

A personal area network (PAN) is a network that interconnects various personal devices such as the desktop, laptop, or mobile phone within a radius of about 10 meters. A PAN can be formed in an office, at home, or in a car.

end example

A number of technologies have been proposed for PANs. Notable among them are Bluetooth, HomeRF, IrDA, and IEEE 802.11.

Note 

Bluetooth, HomeRF, IrDA, and IEEE 802.11 are the important technologies used for personal area networking.



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Principles of Digital Communication Systems and Computer Networks
Principles Digital Communication System & Computer Networks (Charles River Media Computer Engineering)
ISBN: 1584503297
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 313
Authors: K V Prasad

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