| I know you know what a LAN (Local Area | | | | Because blue tooth enabled devices can |
| network) is and a WLAN (Wireless Local Area | | | | communicate with each other life saving |
| network) but do you know what a WPAN is.....? | | | | equipment will be able to more effectively monitor |
| A WPAN is a personal area network which uses | | | | changes in a patients condition. |
| Bluetooth technology to connect everything from | | | | The military is also experimenting with Bluetooth |
| cell phones and ear pieces to key boards and | | | | devices and PAN networking in creating smart |
| desktops. | | | | suits for the battle field. A soldier armed with a |
| When most people think of wireless they will think | | | | blue tooth enabled SAT Phone, Bluetooth head |
| about Wifi hot spots or wireless routers. Bluetooth | | | | set and Bluetooth laptop, can communicate with |
| acts like wireless wire connecting components | | | | anyone in the world. The most important thing is |
| over ashort distant. | | | | that the soldier won't have a million wires to |
| One of the biggest booms of Bluetooth | | | | connect and get in his way during battle. |
| technology is Bluetooth enabled phones that give | | | | As Bluetooth technology gains popularity the issue |
| you the ability to connect to your computer | | | | of security will have to be addressed. Virus |
| wirelessly or to your Bluetooth ear piece in you | | | | writers have already made cell phone proof of |
| car. | | | | concept viruses and have actually infected a few |
| Other quick examples of Bluetooth networking is | | | | phones. |
| wireless keyboards and mice. | | | | Bluetooth does have many built in features which |
| Bluetooth travels at 1mbps and has a max | | | | help protect a user from being hacked. First is |
| distance of about 5-10 meters. 1mbps does not | | | | distance, unlike WI-FI Bluetooth travel only at |
| seem very fast but it is three times faster that a | | | | most 10 meters. Next, Bluetooth uses frequency |
| serial port. | | | | hopping and 128 encryption can be enabled. Other |
| WPAN's (Wireless Personal area networks) are all | | | | features of Bluetooth are built in PIN numbers to |
| around you and they will become more and more | | | | verify who they are communicating with and |
| common. Desktop computers with Bluetooth | | | | block other devices from connecting. |
| enabled keyboards and mice combined with a cell | | | | More and more devices will become Bluetooth |
| phone that syncs your data. | | | | enabled such and your car radios and home |
| A new use of PAN's is in the hospital industry | | | | appliances. Bluetooth enabled cars and appliances |
| where Bluetooth technology is helping doctors | | | | will be able to connect to your home network or |
| monitor patients. Bluetooth gives the hospital staff | | | | cell phone and notify you when they need repairs |
| more freedom to treat a patient when not having | | | | or to give you status updates. |
| to trip on or untangle wires. | | | | |