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