| A personal area network, or PAN, is a collection | | | | master device to connect with up to seven |
| of communication technology devices within the | | | | active devices. Data is communicated from the |
| range of one person. When communication | | | | master device to another (slave) device. The role |
| between these devices is wireless, the acronym | | | | of master device rapidly switches to any device |
| becomes WPAN, or wireless personal area | | | | in the PAN which is in the process of data |
| network. In reality, and for all practical purposes, | | | | transfer. |
| most personal area networks are wireless. For | | | | A Bluetooth device has the ability to seek out and |
| our purposes, this article will consider personal | | | | communicate with any compatible device within |
| area networks as being wireless. | | | | the immediate area. |
| As opposed to Local Area Networks and Wide | | | | Probably the earliest and most common example |
| Area Networks, the personal area network | | | | of a Bluetooth personal area network is the use |
| operates in a relatively short range, usually up to | | | | of a wireless headset and cellular phone. Another |
| a maximum of thirty feet. The most common | | | | popular use is that of the wireless mouse and |
| method of connection is through Bluetooth | | | | keyboard. However, the potential for convenience |
| wireless technology. Bluetooth technology holds | | | | and productivity of a wireless personal network |
| several key advantages over Wi-Fi in ease of | | | | extend well beyond early uses. Data can easily be |
| use, as it is not necessary to configure each | | | | synchronized and transmitted wirelessly between |
| component and requires considerably less power | | | | PDA, personal computer and cellular phone. |
| to operate. | | | | Bluetooth wireless printers and fax machines are |
| Unlike infrared networks, Bluetooth also doesn't | | | | a great convenience to laptop users. Photos from |
| require objects to be in alignment in order to | | | | digital cameras and cell phones can be |
| communicate. The huge practical advantage to | | | | downloaded. Wireless headphones paired with |
| the end user is the ability to transmit both voice | | | | portable music devices make music enjoyment |
| and data between devices without the use of | | | | hassle free. The list goes on, and is limited only by |
| wires or USB cabling. | | | | the creativity of the user and limitations of the |
| A Bluetooth enabled wireless personal network, | | | | physical devices. As personal area network |
| also known as a piconet, can wirelessly connect a | | | | technology improves, one can expect the use and |
| minimum of two and a maximum of eight | | | | capability of wireless personal devices to expand |
| devices. In a piconet, one device acts as the | | | | well into the future. |