Re: Is there a Bluetooth PCI card that is *just* bluetooth (and not combo wifi) ?
- From: Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@xxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 07 Jun 2009 09:49:43 -0700
On Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:26:05 -0400, Sum Guy <Sum@xxxxxxx> wrote:
I see that there are some really cheap combo cards that do 802.11 B/G
(not N) and also do Bluetooth.
Careful there. They use a single chip that can do either BT or Wi-Fi,
but not simultaneously. If you're trying to use one to talk on a BT
headset, while using Skype over a Wi-Fi connection, you might have
problems.
I've read where those cards are
CPU-intensive (they have a DSP and make the computer's CPU do all the
work - ??).
Nope. Most chipsets do all their own processing. I'm not too
familiar with the current offerings but can find them with Google.
Need references or direction?
They also don't use (or are not compatible with) Microsoft's
Bluetooth stack (what-ever implications or consequences that has - I
don't know).
Some companies don't want to spend the money to obtain Microsoft
hardware and driver WHQL approval.
<http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/winlogo/>
For new products that were recently released, Microsoft no longer
approves hardware and drivers for XP (only Vista and Windoze 9).
I was wondering if there was a good (high-performance, long-range)
bluetooth-only PCI card?
Nope. One way is to take the available PCMCIA card and cram it into a
PCMCIA/CardBus to PCI adapter card such as:
<http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-CardBus-PCMCIA-Adapter-Card/dp/B00068YUPM>
Another way is to use a combo BT/Wi-Fi card in Mini-PCI format, and
just insert it into a PCI adapter card:
<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158098>
What's really nice about this arrangement is that the software
interface from Mini-PCI and PCI are identical, so you don't have to
deal with the PCMCIA/CardBus drivers.
A card that is compatible with an external, high-gain antenna?
All Mini-PCI cards have MAIN and AUX connectors, usually using U.FL
connectors. You can buy adapter cables to RP-SMA. The above Mini-PCI
to PCI adapter includes solder pads for adding your own right angle
RP-SMA connector.
And if I have to get a combo PCI card just to get bluetooth, is there at
least a card that will do 802.11 N as well as bluetooth?
Dunno. Why would you want 802.11n? All it does is provide more
speed, not range. At extreme range, it falls back to 802.11g speeds
and protocols. 802.11g is good enough for most applications (except
perhaps video).
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@xxxxxxxxxx
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
.
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