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