Bluetooth and RFID

Basics of Bluetooth technology

Bluetooth technology is a communication technology. It is used for wireless communication between devices in a small range. It not only frees us from hassles of wiring all devices but also gives us same level of security. The technology has matured into a highly robust, widely accepted and low cost medium to communicate between different types of devices. With a Bluetooth enabled phone and handset, you can talk without a wired headphone. Similarly, with a blue tooth enabled computer and printer, you can do printing jobs without a wire connection between the two devices. There are 3 broad categories of Bluetooth devices. These categories depend on the range of the device. Class 3 category has a mere range of about a meter. Class 2 category is of a medium range of about 30 feet and has found application in mobile devices. The Class 1 category devices have 10 times the range of Class 2 devices. It has many industrial applications where devices are laid at big distance from each other but still need to communicate regularly.

Basics of RFID

RFID is an innovative technology in the field of data collection. Like Bluetooth, it too is a wireless technology that helps communication between two devices. The basic principle of RFID is that communication in a short range can be carried out by radio frequency transmissions. For such a short range a wired connection is not required. The implementation involves marking the item to be tracked with a RFID enabled chip (also called tag). Such a tagged item will be detected whenever it passes a radio receiver. The tag essentially holds which would uniquely identify the item. Tag may also store little other critical information about the device.  Transponders, Antenna and computer software are also part of the implementation. Active tags and Passive tags are the two types of RFID tags.

Bluetooth and RFID technology comparison

The two technologies have their own advantages and limitations. RFID’s primary purpose is to collect data and track. However, the collected data needs to be transmitted to computing devices like a computer or a PDA. Bluetooth can play a role in this communication. The following compares the two technologies on certain parameters -

1. Ease of Use

RFID tags have to be physically attached or embedded to the item which needs to be tracked. RFID readers have to be installed at suitable points so as to read all the tags in its vicinity. Bluetooth technology is usually incorporated during manufacturing itself. While RFID tag are easy to program and linked to the item, Bluetooth technology is not simple for any ordinary person or a small company to incorporate.

1. Usage

RFID tags though gaining rapid popularity are more used for tracking movement of various industrial items. They are not used for regular communication. A tag may be read once at a time and then it might not be read for hours. Bluetooth is on other hand used for more then just one exchange of data. For instance, Bluetooth enabled phone and headset will have many transmissions from phone to headset and vice versa. The main advantage of Bluetooth is that it can be used for exchange of both voice and data. RFID on other hand is used only for limited data exchange.

1. Reliability

RFID tags and Bluetooth technology deteriorate in performance if the area of their usage has number of blocking structures. If the place, where you want to find RFID tag or used Bluetooth enabled devices, has concrete, iron or steel structures then the transmitted signal dies off and the whole functioning can fail. 

1. Power requirements

RFID tags have a battery life of around 10 years after which they are of no use. Bluetooth devices may have battery backup but they can be recharged or operated with normal electrical connection.

1. Interference

RFID technology in certain environemts like airport can interfere with other transmitting devices. This problem doesn’t exist with Bluetooth technology.

Lately, devices have been launched in market which uses both RFID and Bluetooth. Many government departments like Homeland Security have conducted feasibility studies on the technologies. National Institute of Standards and Technology is another part with high stakes in these technologies. Both these technologies have years to mature and till then we can expect great applications using them to flood our markets and our offices and homes.