Wireless networking gets corporate

Wireless networking is making significant inroads into corporate computing. In fact, companies have spent nearly $1.5bn on wireless network hardware this year, according to analyst Giga Information Group.

The most common choice is 802.11b wireless Ethernet technology, which adds fast, wire-free access to an existing wired network. The most high-profile alternative is Bluetooth, which shifts the focus to peer-to-peer networking, linking devices to each other rather than via a network.

The technology was pioneered by Ericsson, which in turn has opened it up to a wider group through the Bluetooth special interest group (SIG).

SIG members include 3Com, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, and the technology is being used in a growing number of devices including laptop computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and printers.

Consumer interest

Consumer uses for it have also been proposed, including a replacement for infrared in remote controls allowing devices such as satellite receivers and video recorders to communicate with each other.

"The Bluetooth wireless initiative is thriving, both in the introduction of consumer products and the equally important area of development tools and components," claimed Simon Ellis, chairman of the Bluetooth SIG marketing committee.

"Developers have responded favourably to the stability of the Bluetooth wireless specification, and together we are heading towards our ultimate objective of hundreds of millions of interoperable products," he added.

Companies such as Red-M are developing servers that extend the range of signals from about 10 metres to nearly 100 metres, allowing data transfer between users and devices across larger office spaces.

There are about 350 certified Bluetooth products available, with the bulk designed for mobile phones and laptops. A huge number of PC cards are available for laptops and handhelds, including a Compact Flash card for palm-sized devices. Bluetooth chips are also being integrated into mobile phones, particularly Ericsson models, as well as devices such as printers.

Desktop interface

The problem of a suitable interface for the desktop has been addressed with the release of the first commercially available desktop Bluetooth interface from TDK. A similar device from Xircom was announced at CeBIT , but has yet to be released.

The TDK device is based on an external expansion rather than a more invasive internally fitted network controller.

Most desktop 802.11b wireless Ethernet controllers are based on a PCI controller with a card attached. These require internal fitting and lack flexibility - a desktop machine can't easily be shifted around an office simply to get the best signal.

TDK's desktop Bluetooth adapter connects externally, however, via a USB port. And the 12Mbit bandwidth limit of USB offers a full-speed connection.

The product completes the series of potential interfaces for the technology, so that laptops, PDAs, phones and desktop PCs can interact with each other wirelessly using a common protocol.

But Bluetooth faces a big technological barrier in the workplace: interference. Ethernet standard 802.11b and Bluetooth do not sit together comfortably.

Users have already suffered significant interference problems between the two, particularly when an 802.11b card and a Bluetooth card are both installed in a laptop or PDA.

A robust approach

But the problem is being addressed, and Ericsson recently demonstrated a combined multi-standard wireless network controller. At CDMA America's congress, the Swedish handset maker demonstrated the technology running in conjunction with a code division multiple access mobile phone.

"Bluetooth was designed with a very robust approach regarding interference and security aspects. This includes protection measures such as encryption, pairing, authentication of devices and frequency hopping schemes," said Johan Akesson, Ericsson's technology licensing manager.

But Akesson is clear that the two technologies will play differing roles. "Bluetooth is for mobile work and connectivity, covering the personal area network. Wireless Ethernet is primarily for stationary wireless work," he explained. "No other wireless technology exists right now that can more effectively do what Bluetooth has been designed to do."

SUMMARY

• Bluetooth is a short range wireless standard, initially intended for simple cable replacement use.
• Championed by Ericsson, it has been slowly emerging in mobile phones, PDAs and laptops.
• Its usefulness in the workplace has been limited by the lack of any serious desktop interface support.

FURTHER READING

Bluetooth technical developments, SIG membership changes and specifications: www.bluetooth.com
Details of the TDK desktop Bluetooth interface: www.tdksys.com/bluetooth