WiFi uses two radio technologies, DSSS and OFDM, to transmit signals over a spread spectrum to prevent interference. It was developed to provide fast, cable-free communications. There are four WiFi standards - 802.11b, a, g, and n - which provide transmission speeds up to 11, 54, and 100 megabits per second respectively. Most standards operate in the 2.4GHz frequency band while 802.11a uses 5GHz. Newer standards can function on the frequencies of older standards. Bluetooth was also developed for wireless connectivity over short ranges at speeds up to 720 kilobits per second. It operates at 2.4GHz to avoid interference and can connect up to eight

1. WiFi uses two types of radio technology over a spread spectrum to prevent interference, jamming and detection. The two types of radio technology are single carrier direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), and multi-carrier Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). DSSS transmits signals that take up more bandwidth than the original data. WiFi, Bluetooth share one thing in common, they can transfer data within a limited distance in rather fast speeds. The purpose of WiFi was to develop a communications technology that was fast, efficient, and did not require cables. WiFi is not hacker proof, and there are only a few methods of network security. WiFi has four specifications, and they are all IEEE 802.11 variants, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. The standard variant is b that allows transfer speeds up to 11 megabits per second. The faster variants b and g allow transfer speeds up to 54 megabits per second. The latest specification, n allows very fast transfer speeds up to 100 megabits per second, and higher. All but the 802.11a standard work within the 2.4GHz frequency band, the 802.11a standard operates in the 5GHz frequency band. The n standard is an updated version of the g standard, and the g standard is the updated version of the b standard. That means these standards, n, g, and b can function on each others frequencies. <br />As technology, research and innovation take place newer standards are being developed for WiFi. The latest WiFi standard beyond 802.11 is the 802.16 also known as the WiMAX. It provides several miles of efficiency, and transfer rates up to 70 megabits per second. The 802.16a standard allows functionality between 2 and 11GHz that translates into potential functionality with 802.11 variants and 802.16a.<br />Wi-Fi uses a higher frequency because of the massive amount of data it is capable of transferring. The frequencies used by WiFi are 2.4GHZ and 5.0GHZ.<br />WiFi can be applied several ways. It can be used in homes, academic settings or businesses for Internet connectivity. Any device that is WiFi enabled can be Internet capable when it is within the Wireless network signal or commonly known as a hotspot. Some devices that are currently WiFi enabled include PCs, video game consoles, MP3 music players, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). Hotspots typically cover a room, but can be extended to cover entire buildings. Normal examples of hotspots include academic buildings<br />Bluetooth developed to literally make the wires we are so use to, disappear. Although, it is new to most people the technology has been around for years. There are Bluetooth versions of PDAs, laptop computers, and mobile phones. Bluetooth connects electronic gadgets by a short-range radio signal that is inexpensive, and easy to use. Bluetooth operates at the 2.4GHz GSM band, thus not coming in contact with interference from other devices. It transmits data at 720 kilobits a second and up to 100 meters in range. Bluetooth technology was developed primarily for those users that do not live in the city where WiFi hotspots are readily available. Users tend to select Bluetooth when they have major providers. Although Bluetooth is slower than WiFi it is a great wireless alternative. Bluetooth in general provides the short range connectivity users are seeking. It uses low power from 1mw. A difference between Bluetooth and Infrared is that Bluetooth can penetrate walls, making it absolutely wonderful for multiple rooms. Bluetooth is versatile that eight devices can simultaneously connect. The transmission uses frequency hopping, a low frequency anti-interference technique, so no devices use the same frequency. The maximum range for Bluetooth connectivity is limited to thirty two feet. When two Bluetooth devices are in range, they will automatically talk and <br />Bluetooth is just one way to connect electronic devices. More common methods are using component cables, wires, Ethernet cables, WiFi, and infrared technology. Most electronic devices that rely on these connection methods include computers, televisions, and mobile phones. Bluetooth is a wireless and automatic connection that makes our lives easier, and those that are computer illiterate, computer possible. begin connecting without the users command. When there is a connection Bluetooth devices create their own little network known as Personal Area Network (PAN)<br />Bluetooth is looked at as an update to Infrared. It solves the problems associated with Infrared and adds more features. For example the transfer rate for Bluetooth 1.0 is 1 Mbps, and 2.0 is 3 Mbps. Efficiently, 2.0 is compatible with 1.0 saving money and effort to upgrade all your 1.0 Bluetooth devices to 2.0.<br />