Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Co-existence

Modern Wi-Fi operates in two sections of the radio spectrum, 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz. Bluetooth also uses the 2.4 GHz spectrum, and this can add to the congestion encountered in the 2.4 GHz spectrum.

Because many communication products support both 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, using a single antenna to reduce overall size, a co-existence strategy is implemented by each product. The Bluetooth radio and the Wi-Fi radio access the antenna alternatively to transmit or receive Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signals, it is not possible for both the Bluetooth radio and the Wi-Fi radio to utilize the same antenna simultaneously.

Due to this co-existence, when a Bluetooth headset is used with a Wi-Fi device operating in the 2.4 GHz spectrum, there may be some disruption to audio quality as they can interfere with one another. When Bluetooth is enabled, deterioration of audio quality during badge to badge communication may not be noticeable when compared to the scenario where the badge is a multicast recipient. Audio quality is likely to minute interruptions as the WiFi, and Bluetooth radios alternate the use of the onboard antenna.

It is recommended that the Vocera badge is operated in the 5 GHz spectrum when you use Bluetooth headset to avoid the limitations of co-existence. The single antenna can simultaneously support Wi-Fi and Bluetooth operation if they are utilizing different radio frequencies.