1. Wireless Technologies
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2. Links to Progress Leisure Pre-Release
From Progress Leisure pre-release material:
Wireless technologies, including infrared, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
‘Wireless technology is used throughout the centre to support the equipment and to provide Internet and intranet access to customers using the facilities.’

3. Wireless Technologies Overview
Infrared technology is a wireless technology that operates over a short range and cannot penetrate through walls and other obstructions.
Infrared
Bluetooth is a wireless technology that permits wireless connection between electronic devices over short distances.
Bluetooth
Wi-Fi is a technology that permits wireless connection between electronic devices to share data or to access the Internet.
Wi-Fi

4. Wireless Technologies – Infrared
Infrared technology is based on the use of low-frequency light waves and has a short range of approximately 5 metres. The transmitter needs to be in a line of sight with the actual device that it controls, since it cannot penetrate through walls or other obstructions.
Infrared technology is used in the gym for:
Personal headsets – used by members to receive sound from the TV / entertainment systems from exercise machines
Remote controllers – used by staff to set up TV and entertainment media in the gym
File transfer communication – between mobile devices / smartphones
Laptop peripherals – infrared mouse used by members to access their online account

5. Wireless Technologies – Infrared
Benefits of using infrared technology are:
High security as signal is short-range and directional so unlikely to be intercepted
Low interference from other devices, so can be used for high-quality sound reproduction
Low power usage so ideal for smartphones, headphones and remote controllers
Limitations of using infrared technology are:
Line of sight requires the transmitter and receiver to be directly aligned for communication
Limited range so performance drops off above 5 metres
Signal speed low compared to wired transmissions

6. Wireless Technologies – Bluetooth
Bluetooth technology is mainly used to connect mobile electronic devices automatically once they are in range.
It operates on low-power, short-wave radio signals within a range of approximately 10 metres.
Bluetooth is used widely to connect peripherals such as mice or keyboards to smartphones or tablet computer devices.
A Bluetooth device is a peer-to-peer paired connection, so it needs to be paired before it can commence communication.
Note that once a device has been successfully paired it will automatically communicate if in range and both are switched on.
iPad connected to a Bluetooth keyboard

7. Wireless Technologies – Bluetooth Uses
Bluetooth can be used in the leisure centre in several ways, such as:
Synchronisation of data between two devices. The iPad screenshot on the right shows details of the activity data from the Fitbit after the devices have been synchronised.
Wearable heart-rate monitor is provided by the leisure centre; it communicates with the gym equipment using Bluetooth technology and displays the heart rate of the member.
Linking peripherals to mobile devices. Members can link peripherals to their mobile devices to make them easier to use.

8. Wireless Technologies – Bluetooth
Benefits of using Bluetooth technology are:
Low power usage so ideal for battery-operated devices, such as: tablet computers, smartphones, mice, keyboards
Automatic connection between Bluetooth devices once they have been paired
Limitations of using Bluetooth technology are:
Battery life can be reduced by switching OFF the device when data transmission is completed
Signal speed lower than the speed that can be achieved with Wi-Fi and infrared transmissions

9. Wireless Technologies – Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is a technology that permits wireless connection between electronic devices to share data or to access the Internet.
Connection from Progress Leisure LAN
The Wi-Fi router shown in the schematic diagram above acts as a wireless access point and provides network access to a range of mobile devices.
A LAN or local area network operates over a small area such as a single building or group of buildings.

10. Wireless Technologies – Wi-Fi Uses
Wi-Fi can be used in the leisure centre in several ways, such as:
Personal use – members can use the Wi-Fi to carry out tasks such as using social media, or generally browsing the Internet.
Member profile – members can log on and view their personal profile to get details of performance and attendance, and book classes.
Progress Leisure website – members can browse the public area of the leisure centre website to find out details of forthcoming events and view gym equipment videos.

11. Wireless Technologies – Wi-Fi
Benefits of using Wi-Fi technology are:
Connections can be made without the need for wires. This makes a network more flexible due to changing requirements and is useful where it is not possible to fix wires.
Limitations of using Wi-Fi technology are:
The signal range is dependent upon distance from the router, and an obstruction such as thick walls can cause poor signal reception or a weak connection.

12. Wireless Technologies: Questions
Briefly define the term ‘infrared technology’. (2 marks)
Describe two examples where infrared technology can be used in the gym. (4 marks)
Explain the term ‘line of sight’ in the context of infrared technology. (2 marks)
Describe two advantages of using infrared wireless technology. (4 marks)
Describe the term ‘Bluetooth technology’. (4 marks)
Briefly explain how a device is initially paired to allow Bluetooth communication. (4 marks)
Describe the advantage to a member of using a Bluetooth wearable heart monitor while using an exercise machine. (4 marks)
List two advantages of using Bluetooth technology in the leisure centre. (4 marks)
Describe the term ‘Wi-Fi technology’. (2 marks)
Explain how a mobile device communicates with the network using a Wi-Fi router. (6 marks)
Describe, with examples, the ways in which a member of the leisure centre might use the Wi-Fi provided by Progress Leisure. (6 marks)
Describe the benefits of using Wi-Fi technology. (4 marks)