Infrared versus Bluetooth

Bluetooth and Infrared are technology to transfer data from one device to another through wireless technology, that is without using cables.

Infrared was the earlier technology of the Infrared Data Association.

Bluetooth, first used by Ericcson are used in wireless personal area networks (WPANs) for devices like cellphones, and later companies like Nokia, IBM and Intel have joined hands to promote the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, which today has more than 2000 moembers.

Bluetooth is a enhancement of Infrared, for the cost is low, the power requiremenst are low. Bluetooth also does away with one of Infrared’s major drawback of unidirectional connections. In infrared, data can be transferred only if the objects are placed straight to each other, whereas Bluetooth facilitates data transmission in all angles and multi point connections. Again, while the range of infrared transfer extend to only a few meters, Bluetooth connections are capable of a connectivity range of upto 10 meters. However, Infrared also has its uses. While bluettoth is the preferred solution for networking, Infrared is more suited for direct connections.