What is Bluetooth Classic?

Bluetooth Classic, also known as Bluetooth Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR), is a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances. It's essentially a low-power radio that streams data wirelessly.

Key Features of Bluetooth Classic

Here's a breakdown of what defines Bluetooth Classic:

• Radio Technology: It uses radio waves to transmit information.
• Frequency Band: Bluetooth Classic operates within the 2.4GHz unlicensed industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) frequency band. This band is available for use without a license in many regions.
• Channels: It divides the frequency band into 79 channels for communication. This allows multiple Bluetooth devices to operate in close proximity with minimal interference.
• Data Streaming: Bluetooth Classic is designed for streaming data, making it suitable for applications like audio streaming (e.g., headphones) and file transfer.
• Power Consumption: It's a low-power technology, which is important for battery-powered devices.
• BR/EDR: Bluetooth Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate are the underlying technologies that define the data transfer speeds.

Applications of Bluetooth Classic

Bluetooth Classic is used in a variety of applications, including:

• Wireless headphones and speakers.
• Hands-free car kits.
• File transfer between devices.
• Wireless game controllers.
• Older medical devices.

Bluetooth Classic vs. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

While both Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) are Bluetooth technologies, they are designed for different use cases:

In summary, Bluetooth Classic is suitable for applications that require continuous data streaming and higher data rates, while BLE is better for applications that need to minimize power consumption and only transmit data intermittently.