When people ask us about the Bluetooth® in Juniper Systems’ products, sometimes they ask, “Why does your range specification seem short?” or “Just how much range can I get when I connect it to my _____?” The Archer 2’s Bluetooth is labeled as “Bluetooth Wireless Technology, 2.1 +EDR, Class 1.5” which indicates the Bluetooth Core Specification as version 2.1, meaning it will connect to virtually any Bluetooth device in the field today, and with EDR—or Enhanced Data Rate—for faster data transfer. So here’s the part that the spec doesn’t tell you:
Archer 2’s Surprising Bluetooth Performance – Beyond What the Spec Says
In some of the industries we serve, Bluetooth is an excellent method of communicating wirelessly to various sensors and instruments that previously relied on wired serial connections. Using the Bluetooth Serial Port Protocol (SPP) and connecting to serial Bluetooth devices or adapters with Class 1 transmitters and external antennas, we are seeing users in the field performing reliable line-of-sight Bluetooth communications well in excess of 1000 feet (300 meters).
To support this usage, we test our handhelds in similar conditions using partner-provided devices, under real world use conditions. Additionally, we custom tune our handhelds’ antennas for optimum performance. As a result, we have successfully connected and communicated with serial Bluetooth devices well beyond the typical 100 meter (300 foot range); in some cases, even up to 500 meters—that’s over 1,600 feet, or over ¼ mile! Juniper Systems has a long history of successful experience integrating and applying Bluetooth communications to our products and customer systems, so rest assured when we record a range or specification, it has been well tested and proven.
Now here’s a quick guide on understanding reported Bluetooth specs:
Class 1.5: As-Stated vs. Actual Range
On the Archer 2’s spec sheet, the Bluetooth Class—or maximum permitted transmit power—is listed as “Class 1.5.” The power class is often interpreted to refer to the Bluetooth communication’s range, but it isn’t a direct indicator of absolute communication distance between two devices. In this instance, it indicates that the manufacturer has set the transmit power output at something lower than the maximum Class 1 output of 100 mW. Popular literature often shows Bluetooth Class 1 as being up to 100 mW power output, and capable of ranges up to 100 meters, or 330 feet. However, as I’ve said above, our actual experience and testing shows a much greater range potential exists depending on how the Bluetooth devices are used.
Understanding Bluetooth Range
A key to understanding Bluetooth range is to remember that the range is dependent on both ends of the connection. Where two like devices may have one range, two different devices, using different Bluetooth and antennas may have significantly different results. The communications protocol can also have a significant impact on actual range; where Point-to-Point (P2P) or Object Exchange (OBEX) protocol may have one working range, and Serial Port Protocol (SPP) may have another.
When we test the Bluetooth range of our devices, we test various Bluetooth protocols to confirm the distance that we can send and receive files between two like devices, and we test all orientations of the device, to ensure that it is capable of transferring data in any orientation from at least 30 meters, or 100 feet. This is well outside the common use of Bluetooth, which was actually designed to function as a “cable replacement technology” and provide short-range communications for things like computer mice, keyboards, office printers, and mobile phone earpieces.
Now that you understand a little more about Bluetooth specs, you can feel confident that the Archer 2’s Bluetooth performance far outstrips what the spec might suggest.
Click here to learn more about the Archer 2. Have a question about Bluetooth? Feel free to ask in the comments below.