Bluetooth Class ratings

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Bruno - 29 Jul 2005 04:55 GMT

Can anyone tell me what the "Class" rating on BT devices means?
I've seen some vendors list specifications on diffferent models and
some have different class ratings.
What does this signify?
Is one class type better than another?
What should I be looking for or does it matter?
Also, should the BT interface to my PC (the USB key) and my headset
have the same class/be the same class device?

Thanks,
Bruno

Bruno
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Rob Shepherd - 29 Jul 2005 10:07 GMT

> Can anyone tell me what the "Class" rating on BT devices means?

The class rating refers to the power class of the radio in the Bluetooth device.

From the Bluetooth specification....

--------------------------------------

| Power class | Maximum Power Output |
|-------------|----------------------|
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
| 3 | 1 mW (0dBm) |
| | |

--------------------------------------

This also defines the transmission range.

Class 2 devices are by far the most common and have a nominal range of 10M.
Class 1 devices have a longer nominal range of 100M.

Class 3 devices are relatively uncommon and have a range < 10M.
I've never seen a class 3 device marketed.

Obvioulsy you need a pair of class 1 devices to achieve data communication at
~100 Metres.

HTH

Rob

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Bruno - 30 Jul 2005 06:59 GMT

That makes perfect sense.
Thanks for the info!
Bruno

>> Can anyone tell me what the "Class" rating on BT devices means?
>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
>Rob

Bruno
<email spoofed; just remove the spam in the address>

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