FAQ

A:  V1.2 is the old version adopted in November, 2003. V2.0 is the current version with the EDR (enhanced data rate) technology, which has a data transfer rate that can be up to 3Mbps in V2.0 (verses 1Mbps for V1.2). 

Q:  What’s the range for a Bluetooth device?

A:  There are three classes for Bluetooth devices and their respective ranges:

Class 1 devices have up to a 100-meter (300 feet) range.

Class 2 devices have up to a 10-meter (30 feet) range.

Class 3 devices have up to a 1-meter (3 feet) range. 

Q:  Can I pick up an incoming cell phone call from my Bluetooth headset, while I’m using my Bluetooth headset to listen to the music or on a Skype call on my computer?

A:  No. Most of the Bluetooth devices can only be paired with one device at a time. You will need to remove the pairing between your computer and the Bluetooth headset first, pair your headset to the cell phone, and then take the incoming call. Normally this would take more time than most phones allow before the call goes to voicemail.

Q:  I cannot pair my Bluetooth headset with my Bluetooth USB dongle. What can I do?

A:  If this is the first time you are using this package, please make sure that the headset has been fully charged (minimum of 8-14 hours for the first charge) before using it. If the battery is too low it cannot provide enough power for the headset to generate a strong enough signal in most cases. If the headset unit is fully charged, please follow the steps in the installation guide to pair the headset and USB dongle.

Q:  My Bluetooth headset and USB dongle cannot be paired in a Windows XP SP2 system. What can I do?

A:  Anders @ Skype forum has a great step-by-step trouble-shooting guide posted (see the link: http://forum.skype.com/viewtopic.php?t=10822). With permission, we have posted it here for your convenience. See below and read a master at work.

Q: How secure is a Bluetooth network?

A: Bluetooth is extremely secure in that it employs several layers of data encryption and user authentication measures. Bluetooth devices use a combination of the Personal Identification Number (PIN) and a Bluetooth address to identify other Bluetooth devices. Data encryption (i.e., 128-bit) can be used to further enhance the degree of Bluetooth security. The transmission scheme (FHSS) provides another level of security in itself. Instead of transmitting over one frequency within the 2.4 GHz band, Bluetooth radios use a fast frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technique, allowing only synchronized receivers to access the transmitted data.

Q: Will other RF (Radio Frequency) devices interfere with Bluetooth Devices?

A: No. Bluetooth radios operate on the unlicensed 2.4 GHz (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) frequency band that is shared among other devices (microwave ovens, cordless phones, garage door openers, etc. ). Bluetooth radios switch frequencies at such a rapid pace (1,600 times per second) and the data packets are so small that interference from other RF sources is highly unlikely. Bluetooth is a robust communication system.

Q: Will Bluetooth and Wireless LAN (WLAN) interfere with each other?

A: No, both Bluetooth and WLAN can co-exist. Since Bluetooth devices use Frequency Hopping and most WLANs use Direct Sequence Spreading techniques they each appear as background noise to the other and should not cause any perceivable performance issues.

Q: What is the data throughput speed of a Bluetooth connection?

A: Bluetooth transfers data at a rate of 721 Kbps, which is from three to eight times the average speed of parallel and serial ports, respectively. This bandwidth is capable of transmitting voice, data, video and still images.

Q: What is the range of Bluetooth transmitter/receivers? 

A: Bluetooth is designed for very low power use, and the transmission range will only be 10m, about 30ft. High-powered Bluetooth devices will enable ranges up to 100m (300ft). Considering the design philosophy behind Bluetooth, even the 10m range is adequate for the purposes Bluetooth is intended for. Later versions of the Bluetooth spec may allow longer ranges. 

Q: What kind of encryption will be used for Bluetooth security?

A: The Bluetooth specification 1.0 describes the link encryption algorithm as a stream cipher using 4 LFSR (linear feedback shift registers). The sum of the width of the LFSRs is 128, and the spec says "the effective key length is selectable between 8 and 128 bits". This arrangement allows Bluetooth to be used in countries with regulations limiting encryption strength, and "facilitate a future upgrade path for the security without the need for a costly redesign of the algorithms and encryption hardware" according to the Bluetooth specification. Key generation and authentication seems to be using the 8-round SAFER+ encryption algorithm. The information available suggests that Bluetooth security will be adequate for most purposes; but users with higher security requirements will need to employ stronger algorithms to ensure the security of their data. 

Q: What is a Personal Area Network (PAN)?

A: A Personal Area Network is another name for a Bluetooth Piconet.

Q: What is HomeRF ? 

A: HomeRFlike Bluetooth is a specification for connectivity and mobility in a home-like environment. HomeRF Working Group has developed a specification for wireless communications in the home called the Shared Wireless Access Protocol (SWAP). 

Q: Are different brands of Bluetooth products compatible?

A: Yes. They have to. The Bluetooth Logo Certification Program requires Bluetooth products to interoperate with products manufactured by other vendors; those products that don't interoperate will not be allowed to use the Bluetooth logo.

Q: Can Bluetooth products be used on aircraft?

A: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other aviation regulatory bodies worldwide are currently reviewing the use of Bluetooth products on private and commercial aircraft. In the U.S. the FAA is the governing body to grant approval for Bluetooth product use on aircraft; therefore, we must defer to their impending ruling.