Bluetooth was initially conceived as a wireless replacement
for RS232 cables. It connects devices that are physically close together, such
as keyboards and mice to computers and headsets to computers or telephones. It
uses spread spectrum radio and has a specified range of up to 10 meters,
although it may reach 100 meters under ideal conditions. Bluetooth 5.0 is
specified to operate up to 40 meters and may reach 400 meters.
Bluetooth
is typically used for:
Headsets (particularly for cell phones)
If
a dongle is used to add Bluetooth to a computer, the dongle must be
audio-capable if it is to be used for headsets.
Mice Keyboards
Printers Etc.
Pairing Devices
Devices need to be "paired"
before they can be used. This sets up the devices and host to communicate with
each other but ignore other hosts and devices. Some older devices require a PIN
to pair. You may or may not be able to choose a PIN and may need to use one
provided in the documentation. With Bluetooth 2.1, pairing became available
without a PIN but may or may not require a passcode. Refer to the device
documentation for help. Pairing procedure (to Windows)
The following
procedure will add a Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard to a computer.
Once the dongle is recognized, the Bluetooth icon appears in the tray.
Next,
open the Control Panel
Then open the Bluetooth Devices
Click Add
to add a Bluetooth device.
Make sure the device is turned on, then click Next.
When your device appears,
click on it, then
click Next.
Choose how to handle a passkey,[2] then click Next.
Click
Finish, then click OK.
There is often no logical connection between a device's advertised name (the
name on the retail box and literature) and the name that appears in the list of
available Bluetooth devices. The documentation may or may not tell you what name
will appear in the Bluetooth device list. If several devices are nearby, you may
need to guess which one you are trying to pair with.
