The History Of Bluetooth Hotspot

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

ABSTRACT

This project deals with the concept of providing internet connectivity on low end devices using Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth (IEEE 802.15.1) is an industrial specification for wireless PAN (Personal Area Network). It is a cheap, short range, low power consuming wireless technology. Laptops, PDAs etc make use of Wi-Fi Hotspots to access Internet. These devices are expensive. However some low end devices not having Wi-Fi facility can make use of Bluetooth hotspot. Moreover, Bluetooth consumes less power compared to Wi-Fi. Mobile phones need not have GPRS connection or a SIM card in it to access the internet. The Server(PC or Laptop) receives request from mobile phone to which it responds by delivering requested webpage.

INTRODUCTION:

As the number of Bluetooth products increases each year, it is important to develop applications and services to take full advantage of their potential and capabilities. A broadband hotspot is one application where Bluetooth has a value in providing Internet access to mobile users. Consumers owning a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone can easily access a Bluetooth hotspot to browse the internet without having to carry a PDA or a laptop.A higher proportion of PDA owners use the device to access the Internet through Wi-Fi which is more costly as compared to Bluetooth. The penetration rate for using mobile phone is very high. In fact, it is becoming the internet access point for many people encountering the Internet for the first time. The size of the device is getting smaller, making it convenient for consumers to carry and the capabilities are becoming more powerful and sophisticated. Mobile phone creates more possibilities for social networking. The deployment of Bluetooth hotspots will widen access to broadband services using mobile phones not only to professionals and mobile workers but more importantly, to other segments of consumers who want to go on-line for non-business related and sociable purposes, and to consumers who do not own PCs.

In terms of social conception, Bluetooth hotspots have the ability to bridge the digital divide between people who do or do not have access to the technology. It is not necessary to purchase a PC, a laptop or a PDA which are often used for business and work related purposes, for occasionally checking email and browsing the Internet. There are some consumers who are not a frequent user of the Internet due to the nature of their work, lifestyle or income. This group of people can invest in a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone to access the Internet.

2. PROPOSED SYSTEM:

2.1 Proposed System Overview:

Fig 2.1 Proposed System Overview

The above diagram gives a very extensive idea about the system proposed. This system essentially covers most of the issues related to setting up a basic network.

There are two major components of the entire system. The first component is the Bluetooth hotspot network which consists of many machines in a client server configuration. The Bluetooth network is essentially a collection of many Bluetooth devices like mobile phones. A "Bluetooth Server" connects the entire network to the Internet acting as a gateway to the "clients".

The second part of the network is the Bluetooth service manager. This is mainly the software used to manage the users of that particular system. This system takes care about the login and authentication. The customer enters his/her user details to gain access to the service. Then the authentication process validates the users. User details are stored in a database with access details.

Bluetooth dongles are used as an access point for the clients and the servers. Windows XP has been proved to give the best support for Bluetooth. Thus Windows XP would be the best possible candidate for the server environment. The dongle is installed with drivers which enable it to perform various network functions including Internet access.

2.2 Methodology:

Before the clients can be connected to the server, they have to be paired with the Bluetooth Server. Pairing is an important part in a Bluetooth setup. When the client requests to be connected to the server, the server asks for a passkey. When the client and the server enter the same passkey then the devices are paired together and can perform network functions. For a hotspot network, a common passkey could he maintained for the day. The patrons can be provided this passkey over the counter. This passkey can be changed on a daily basis. Authentication is probably the most important part of the system. Therefore we prefer a manual control on the devices present in the hotspot in the form of hotspot manager.

The server has to be setup to enable Internet Connection and redirect the web pages to mobiles. The server recognizes the client‘s request for Internet access and sends the request to the Internet Server. It gets the web page in the format accessible in mobiles from the Internet Server and sends it to the requesting client and thus enables the client to access Internet.

A centralized database will maintain the details of all users along with date and time of login registered to the system. Once the user enters the hotspot, a simple "Passkey" facility will enable the user to access the Internet.

CONCLUSION:

The realization of the importance of extending the availability and accessibility of information, mobile phone manufacturers are exploiting the development of wireless technology to include Bluetooth in particular, in most of their mobile phone models. As a result, the functionalities and capabilities of a mobile phone have extended, not just to make and receive calls but also to surf the Internet, check email, download software or application, play games and listen to music.

Bluetooth hotspot is one of the potential services to be offered to mobile phone users. It will make surfing Internet free of cost in Bluetooth Hotspot enabled area. So one does not have to depend on the costly GPRS system provided by the telecom companies. Also the power consumption is much low as compared to Wi-Fi Hotspot.