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Bluetooth Radio Power Class for Apple Systems

Q: What are the preferred Bluetooth radio power specifications for Apple Macintosh systems?

A: Apple follows the Bluetooth Transmitter Characteristics laid out in the Bluetooth Specification Version 1.1 for power class 2. Bluetooth Class 2 device provides a maximum transmitter output power of 4dBm. This yields about 10 meters of range.

Apple promotes the use of Bluetooth power class 2 radios, rather than a more powerful class 1 radio, to support Bluetooth development as a "cable replacement' solution for peripherals.

The figure below graphically demonstrates how Apple has positioned "Wired" and "Wireless" (i.e. Bluetooth) development for current products.

Wired vs. Wireless

Figure 1. Wired vs. Wireless.



[Aug 06, 2003]

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