The Origin of Bluetooth's Name

Source: Mechanics Popular Science

Original Author: Simba

More and more products relying on Bluetooth technology are appearing in our lives, such as Bluetooth headphones, Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth mice, and Bluetooth watches. At first hearing the term “Bluetooth”, you might picture a blue tooth. So why would such a good technology be named this? What story lies behind this naming, and what is its principle? Today, let us unveil the mysterious veil of “Bluetooth”!

Introduction and Origin of Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a method for short-distance wireless communication between electronic devices using the power of radio waves. The name traces back to King Harald Bluetooth of Denmark in the 10th century. King Harald ruled Denmark from about 958 to 986, was a great warrior, ended the Viking era, and unified the vast Nordic regions of modern Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

🔺King Harald Bluetooth

The Danish word “Blåtand” translates to “Bluetooth” in English, hence this king is also known as Harald Bluetooth. There are many versions regarding the origin of this name; one legend suggests that the king loved to eat blueberries, which stained his teeth blue; historians also speculate that one of the king’s teeth decayed, giving it a blue appearance.

🔺The king’s decayed tooth that appeared blue

In the 1990s, Nordic communication technology was very advanced, and related companies gathered to discuss how to establish a communication protocol to standardize wireless communication between mobile phones, computers, and wireless headphones. After the technology was developed, the Bluetooth development team needed to give this technology a catchy name; they hoped that this technology could unify short-distance wireless communication solutions globally, just as King Bluetooth once conquered the vast Nordic regions, thus naming it “Bluetooth”.

Having discussed the origin of the name Bluetooth, let’s take a look at its Logo. At first glance, it resembles a bow tie rotated 90° clockwise, or a mask at a masquerade. So how did the Bluetooth team conceive this logo? In fact, the Bluetooth logo is a combination of runes, merging the runes H (ᚼ) and B (ᛒ) from the runic alphabet (a type of letter used by the ancient Norse, now extinct), which are also the initials of King Harald’s name.

🔺The Bluetooth logo

Working Principle of Bluetooth

Although people often think of Bluetooth as a device, in fact, Bluetooth is a wireless communication technology protocol that uses radio waves at a frequency of 2.4GHZ-2.4835GHZ, enabling short-distance digital communication exchange between fixed devices, mobile devices, and buildings.

🔺Bluetooth enables short-distance digital communication exchange between various devices

When Bluetooth devices operate, they mainly utilize a wireless module, a digital module, and an audio amplifier. The wireless module completes wireless communication between two devices, similar to communication between two mobile phones. The wireless module transmits the digital signals from one device wirelessly to another, completing its task once the signal is received. After receiving the signal, the digital module decodes the signal, then sends the code to the processing chip, converting the code into an audio signal, which can be heard after processing by the audio amplifier.

Differences and Similarities Between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

As both are short-distance communication technologies, Bluetooth inevitably gets compared with Wi-Fi technology. So what are the differences between them?

🔺Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are often compared

First, in terms of usage, we often connect multiple devices to the same Wi-Fi to access the internet, which is a one-to-many connection method, while Bluetooth facilitates data transfer between two devices, making it a point-to-point connection method. From this perspective, Bluetooth has a higher data security. Secondly, although Bluetooth operates in the 2.4GHz frequency range, the same as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth divides the 83.5MHz bandwidth into 79 information channels, utilizing FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) for communication, thus having a stronger anti-interference capability.

🔺General diagram of Bluetooth frequency hopping selection scheme

Moreover, since Bluetooth uses a microstrip antenna, which is small and easy to integrate into devices, and Bluetooth modules are low-cost, the popularity of Bluetooth devices is very high; however, Wi-Fi devices require a separate network card and router, which are more costly and consume more power. In some scenarios, Bluetooth is more suitable than Wi-Fi.

Applications of Bluetooth in Daily Life

4.1 Code Scanning for Entry and Exit

Some subway ticket scanning apps require users to enable Bluetooth to allow the gate and phone to verify each other, which opens the gate only after successful verification. This avoids situations where passengers with poor network conditions cannot pass through the gate.

4.2 Anti-Loss Devices

Have you ever used an anti-loss device that supports Bluetooth connection? It’s very convenient to use; just turn on Bluetooth on your phone to connect. Place the anti-loss device on your phone, elderly people, children, or pets, and it will automatically alarm if it exceeds the set range.

🔺Anti-loss device

4.3 Bluetooth Mice and Keyboards

Nowadays, many mice and keyboards support Bluetooth connections; wireless mice and keyboards are becoming increasingly popular, providing great convenience for both carrying and working.

🔺Bluetooth mice and keyboards

References

[1] Xu Fei. Research on Bluetooth Data Transmission Enhancement Technology and Its Baseband Chip Design Implementation [D]. Xi’an University of Electronic Science and Technology, 2013.

[2] Zhang Qiqi. Exploring the Principles and Applications of Bluetooth Technology [J]. China New Communication, 2018, 20(23): 98-99.

[3] Lin Manshan. A Brief Discussion on the Current Status and Prospects of Bluetooth Technology [J]. Heilongjiang Science and Technology Information, 2016, (14): 165-165.

[4] https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/PQzMZkMg4XUWKYPOc9J-VQ

[5] https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Aw84ox4uF0hO5QaqjC3ssQ

[6] https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/qDV54lKJYx3cu8moHQy-MA

[7] https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/bRvcf6tJlkq3_BrB4GkGQQ

END

The reproduced content represents the author’s views only

It does not represent the position of the Semiconductor Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

Editor: March

Editor-in-Chief: Mu Xin

Submission Email: [email protected]

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The Origin of Bluetooth’s Name

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