Know and understand similarities and differences between Bluetooth and wi-fi

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ICT 0417 – Networks: Bluetooth vs Wi‑Fi

4 Networks and the Effects of Using Them

Objective

Know and understand the similarities and differences between Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi.

Overview

Both Bluetooth and Wi‑Fi are wireless communication technologies that allow devices to exchange data without cables. They operate in the 2.4 GHz ISM band (and Wi‑Fi also uses 5 GHz and 6 GHz), but they are designed for different purposes, ranges, data rates and network topologies.

Key Comparison

Aspect Bluetooth Wi‑Fi
Primary Use Short‑range device‑to‑device communication (e.g., headphones, keyboards, wearables) Local area networking for internet access and file sharing
Typical Frequency 2.4 GHz ISM band 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz (802.11ax)
Range Up to 10 m (Class 2), up to 100 m (Class 1) Typical indoor 30–50 m, outdoor up to 100 m or more with line‑of‑sight
Maximum Data Rate Bluetooth 5.0: up to 2 Mbps (LE) or 3 Mbps (Classic) Wi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax): up to 9.6 Gbps (theoretical)
Network Topology piconet (one master, up to 7 active slaves) and scatternet (multiple piconets) Infrastructure (router/AP) or ad‑hoc (peer‑to‑peer)
Power Consumption Low – designed for battery‑operated devices Higher – suitable for mains‑powered devices, though power‑saving modes exist
Security Secure Simple Pairing (SSP), AES‑128 encryption WPA3, WPA2, WPA, WEP (legacy)
Typical Applications
  • Wireless headphones and speakers
  • Fitness trackers, smart watches
  • Keyboard/mouse, game controllers
  • File transfer between phones
  • Home and school Wi‑Fi networks
  • Streaming video and audio
  • Online gaming
  • Cloud services and web browsing
Setup Complexity Simple pairing (often one‑tap) Requires SSID, password, possibly router configuration
Interference Susceptibility Can be affected by other 2.4 GHz devices, but uses adaptive frequency hopping Can suffer congestion in crowded 2.4 GHz; 5 GHz less congested but shorter range

Similarities

  • Both operate in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz ISM band (Wi‑Fi also uses higher bands).
  • Both use radio waves to transmit data wirelessly.
  • Both support encryption to protect data.
  • Both can form ad‑hoc networks without a central access point (though Wi‑Fi ad‑hoc is less common).
  • Both are defined by IEEE standards (Bluetooth by IEEE 802.15.1, Wi‑Fi by IEEE 802.11).

Differences Summarised

  1. Purpose: Bluetooth is for short‑range, low‑power device interconnection; Wi‑Fi provides high‑speed internet connectivity.
  2. Speed: Wi‑Fi offers orders of magnitude higher data rates.
  3. Range: Wi‑Fi generally covers larger areas, especially with multiple access points.
  4. Power Use: Bluetooth is optimized for battery life; Wi‑Fi consumes more power.
  5. Network Structure: Bluetooth uses piconets; Wi‑Fi uses infrastructure with routers/APs.
  6. Security Protocols: Wi‑Fi uses WPA/WPA3; Bluetooth uses SSP and AES‑128.

Practical Classroom Activities

  • Pair a Bluetooth speaker with a smartphone and measure the time taken for audio to start.
  • Connect a laptop to the school Wi‑Fi and run a speed test; compare the result with a Bluetooth file transfer between two laptops.
  • Use a Wi‑Fi analyzer app to observe channel congestion in the 2.4 GHz band and discuss how Bluetooth’s frequency‑hopping mitigates interference.
Suggested diagram: Comparison chart showing Bluetooth piconet vs Wi‑Fi infrastructure layout.

Key Points to Remember

  • Choose Bluetooth when you need low power and short‑range connections (e.g., peripherals).
  • Choose Wi‑Fi when you need high bandwidth and broader coverage (e.g., internet access).
  • Both technologies coexist in many devices; understanding their strengths helps optimise network design.