7 popular wireless technology standards today

While cables and wires still play a key role in transmitting and receiving information, using wireless headsets, surfing the Web at Wi-Fi hotspots . is becoming familiar and having a big impact on everyday life day.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is not only used to transfer data between mobile devices and connect headphones to phones but also appears in a variety of devices such as digital cameras, laptops, PCs and game consoles. Bluetooth chips use radio signals to transmit data in a narrow range, usually about 30 meters.

Bluetooth 2.0, the most integrated version of today's devices, can exchange low or medium bandwidth information packages at a rate of 3 Mbps. This technology uses relatively low power.

Wibree

Technology developed by Nokia can send a small amount of data at a rate of several kilobits per second between two devices that require very little energy. It will be used in products such as maps, game sensors, medical devices .

SIG, which specializes in Bluetooth standards, approved Wibree and is developing it to be compatible with Bluetooth devices. The first product is expected to appear in 2008.

Zigbee

Zigbee allows transferring information to multiple devices at the same time (mesh network) instead of only two products interacting with each other such as Bluetooth and Wibree. Zigbee's operating range is being improved from 75 meters up to several hundred meters.

This technology requires less energy than Bluetooth, but the speed is only 256 Kb / sec. It will be applied in household automation systems such as lighting and heating.

NFC

NFC devices can only transmit a few kilobits of data wirelessly within a few centimeters, so it ensures safety when users want to exchange sensitive information.

Mobile manufacturers seem to be interested in this technology and claim that NFC phones will be used to pay bills when users drink coffee or buy newspapers . It will also appear in electronic keys, tickets and travel documents.

Wireless USB

Wireless USB has the same features as USB but does not need cables. It supports printers, cameras, removable hard drives . wirelessly connected to a computer.

Wireless USB uses the UWB (ultra-wideband) platform at speeds up to 2 Gb / s, allowing high-resolution video to be sent without consuming too much power. The first Wireless USB products are also just beginning to be introduced to the market.

WIFI

This wireless Internet connection technology is very popular in homes, offices, cafes and some big city centers. In addition, Wi-Fi is also used to connect home appliances such as TVs and DVD players to computers.

The Wi-Fi 802.11b / g standard can transmit 54 Mbps data while the 802.11n pending version reaches 200 Mbps. However, Wi-Fi consumes a lot of power when compared to Bluetooth or Zigbee.

Dect

Dect (Digitally Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) is used in wireless landline phones. Using radio signals, it can make calls within 100 meters.

Dect is considered a "particularly successful" technology because this phone model is being favored by many families worldwide.

Cat (Cordless Advanced Technolog) technology, Dect-based development, will support VoIP and radio services, allowing users to listen to the radio on the Internet or search online phone directories. The first products will appear later this year.