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ABI's take on Bluetooth's potential to transform into WLAN status is fairly straightforward. Many product developers will undoubtedly push Bluetooth into usage scenarios where it acts as a LAN technology: this is unavoidable. However, Bluetooth will definitely not displace conventional WLAN technologies. This is because technologies such as IEEE 802.11b offer the higher data rates (allowing streaming video), further operating distances and support for complex enterprise features such as roaming/handover. |
Bluetooth has been in the news for the last couple of months as product announcements hit a crescendo around the annual Bluetooth Congress in June. One of the most interesting developments has been a clearer idea how Bluetooth fits into the broader home networking picture.
Thus far Bluetooth has been thought of as a short-range wireless connectivity technology that was based on the concept of a personal area network (PAN). Few people have seriously argued that Bluetooth could support a real wireless local area network (WLAN). Bluetooth differs from the typical WLAN description in that it is not location-based, but rather person-based.
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Bluetooth Access Points
However, Bluetooth does have the option for a higher power radio that would allow transmissions up to 100 meters. Recently there has been a burst of interest in this option, particularly for data/voice access points. While Bluetooth transceivers are optimized for embedding into mobile devices such as cellular handsets, there are a number of other products that will incorporate Bluetooth. Some service providers particularly see the need for a Bluetooth access point (especially public and residential access points) to act as a bridge to the broadband wide area network (WAN) connection. This access point would extend the Internet to devices that might not have a conventional WLAN interface. For this purpose it is clear that the 10-meters option is a poor fit, as it would constrain the user location within the home.
The need for a Bluetooth access point becomes more compelling when considering the sheer volume of Bluetooth products that will be shipped in the next few years. This potential ubiquity is what is driving the interest of service providers and ultimately residential gateway vendors.
A Bluetooth access point could be described as a residential gateway, though it may be just a dedicated access point rather than a platform that supports other connectivity interfaces. However, residential gateway vendors have been tracking the momentum behind Bluetooth and ABI believes that many of them are looking to incorporate the Bluetooth access point function within the second or third generation of their residential gateway platforms. What is particularly appealing about the +20 dBm radios that allow for a 100-meter operating range is that they will not add more than a few dollars to the bill of materials (BOM) over a 0 dBm radio (that reaches 10 meters).
Many would argue that it is hard to envisage Bluetooth acting as a WLAN in this usage model given that the data transmission rate is relatively meager, especially if it has to be shared across multiple local client devices. But it should be noted that the Bluetooth Version 2.0 currently undergoing development will support higher data rates, and undoubtedly a number of product vendors will take advantage of this.
When the combination of the +20 dBm radio and the higher data rates of Bluetooth Version 2.0 is considered, it is clear that conventional WLAN technologies are threatened. The degree to which this combination is widely implemented will depend on the BOM premium it would entail.
Frequency Congestion
The broader question that has now been publicly acknowledged is how Bluetooth will contribute toward increased frequency congestion in the 2.4 GHz band. HomeRF will be typically found in the home environment, while IEEE 802.11b will be used in both home and enterprise settings. Bluetooth will be found in both environments (as well as on the move) and it could be a serious disruptive force. Bluetooth, by virtue of its very fast frequency-hopping pedigree, is the most robust of the three wireless technologies. Therefore it is the least likely to suffer from data degradation. But, conversely, it will seriously harm other protocol transmissions.
Nominally Bluetooth's aggressive design is not as much of a concern when low power (10 meter) radios are used, as there is less scope for interference. However, as interest in the high-power (100 meter) option grows, backers of HomeRF and IEEE 802.11b are becoming increasingly worried as there is greater scope for interference. Given that most of the backers of HomeRF and IEEE 802.11b are also members of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) there has been pressure for Bluetooth to become a "good neighbor." One of the tasks of the Bluetooth SIG in developing the Bluetooth Version 2.0 is that it is looking for ways to improve the coexistence between Bluetooth and other wireless technologies operating in the 2.4 GHz band.
Indeed some companies have publicly stated that they would like to see Bluetooth SIG members avoiding the high power option in the current generation (Version 1.0) so that there would be less overlap with traditional WLAN technologies. Limiting Bluetooth to a PAN scope would allow for easier coexistence in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Moreover, it would reduce developer and consumer confusion as to which WLAN technology is appropriate for their needs.
ABI's Interpretation
ABI's take on Bluetooth's potential to transform into WLAN status is fairly straightforward. Many product developers will undoubtedly push Bluetooth into usage scenarios where it acts as a LAN technology: this is unavoidable.
However, Bluetooth will definitely not displace conventional WLAN technologies. This is because technologies such as IEEE 802.11b offer the higher data rates (allowing streaming video), further operating distances and support for complex enterprise features such as roaming/handover. IT administrators are only now tapping into the power of conventional WLAN equipment to augment their corporate network, and they will not be willing to accept an upstart technology as a replacement.
Navin Sabharwal is Director of Residential Technologies with Allied Business Intelligence, specializing in residential connectivity. His latest study is titled "Residential Structured Wiring and Cabling Systems: Industry Trends, Player Assessment, Market Segmentation and Forecasts."
Allied Business Intelligence Inc is an Oyster Bay, NY-based technology research think tank specializing in communications and emerging technology markets. ABI publishes strategic research on the broadband, wireless, electronics, networking and energy industries. Details of these studies can be found at www.alliedworld.com , or call 516-624-3113 for more info.
