2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Bands: WLAN operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. The 2.4 GHz band provides better range but may be more susceptible to interference, while the 5 GHz band offers higher data rates and less interference but has a shorter range.
2. Modulation Techniques:
OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing): OFDM is commonly used in WLAN to transmit data over multiple subcarriers, improving spectral efficiency and resistance to interference.
3. Channel Access:
CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance): WLAN uses CSMA/CA to manage access to the wireless medium. Devices listen for carrier signals before transmitting to avoid collisions.
4. Topologies:
Infrastructure and Ad-hoc Networks: WLANs can be set up in infrastructure mode, where devices communicate through an access point, or ad-hoc mode, where devices communicate directly with each other.
5. Standards:
802.11 Family: IEEE 802.11 standards, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax, define the specifications for WLAN.
6. Data Rates:
Varied Data Rates: WLAN supports a range of data rates depending on the standard and the specific implementation. For example, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) supports higher data rates compared to older standards.
7. Range:
Medium to Long Range: WLAN typically provides a medium to long-range connectivity, depending on environmental factors and the specific frequency band used.
Bluetooth:
1. Frequency Band:
2.4 GHz Band: Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band, which is the same as WLAN. This band is divided into 79 channels.
2. Modulation Techniques:
GFSK (Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying): Bluetooth primarily uses GFSK for modulation, which helps in achieving a balance between data rate and power consumption.
3. Channel Access:
TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access): Bluetooth uses a time-division scheme to divide the channel into time slots, allowing multiple devices to share the same frequency without interference.
4. Topologies:
Piconet and Scatternet: Bluetooth devices can form a piconet, where one device acts as a master and others as slaves. Multiple piconets can interconnect to form a scatternet.
5. Standards:
Bluetooth Core Specifications: Bluetooth specifications, such as Bluetooth 1.x, 2.x, 3.0 + HS, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 5.0, and 5.1, define the features and capabilities of Bluetooth technology.
6. Data Rates:
Varied Data Rates: Bluetooth supports various data rates, with the latest versions (e.g., Bluetooth 5.0) offering higher data rates compared to older versions.
7. Range:
Short to Medium Range: Bluetooth is designed for short to medium-range communication, making it suitable for personal area networks (PANs).
Summary:
WLAN and Bluetooth share the 2.4 GHz frequency band, but WLAN also operates in the 5 GHz band.
WLAN generally provides higher data rates and longer ranges compared to Bluetooth.
Bluetooth is often used for short-range communication between devices in a personal area, while WLAN is suitable for local area network communication with more extensive coverage.
Both technologies have evolved through various standards to improve performance, security, and power efficiency based on different use cases and requirements.
