No, strikes against bluetooth for this design are
 - doesn't (IIRC) support peer to peer networks
 - much shorter range
 - higher power consumption (due to the high data rate and stack overhead)
 - the stack is overkill for this application
 - still too expensive
 - more components for higher bandwidth (more expensive for better quality)
 - requires a seperate microcontroller to run the bluetooth stack
(more components, higher cost, more PCB real estate)

Further, I haven't seen a bluetooth module I can buy in quantities of
one for $10, whereas $10  802.15.4 radios are starting to pop up all
over the place.  I don't even need the full zigbee stack, just very
simple peer to peer radio packets.

Bluetooth is great for many applications, but it isn't the right tool
for this one as far as I can tell.  If I'm wrong I'd certainly like to
know, so tell me if my points are incorrect or mitigated by other
positive factors.

-Adam

On 8/5/08, Funny NYPD <funnynypd@yahoo.com> wrote:
> the blue tooth modules are cheap now. Have you considered about it?
>
>  Funny N.
> Au Group Electronics, New Bedford, MA, http://www.AuElectronics.com
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: alan smith <micro_eng2@yahoo.com>
> To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. <piclist@mit.edu>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 5, 2008 3:53:10 PM
> Subject: Re: [PIC] MRF24J40MA - Microchip's 802.15.4 transceiver
>
> BTW...it is real.  I've seen it, touched it....not used it.  Waiting for a demo unit to do the real range tests, much what I did with the Micrel units, that also go for $10, but of course are not zigbee
>
>
> --- On Mon, 8/4/08, M. Adam Davis <stienman@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > From: M. Adam Davis <stienman@gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [PIC] MRF24J40MA - Microchip's 802.15.4 transceiver
> > To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." <piclist@mit.edu>
> > Date: Monday, August 4, 2008, 1:10 PM
> > Shoot, I thought I read it carefully and yet I completely
> > missed that
> > right on the summary page!
> >
> > 1/4 mile in open air under ideal conditions...  I'll
> > probably have to
> > support both this and the xbee, which complicates a whole
> > bunch of
> > things.
> >
> > Nicely low powered, though.
> >
> > Thanks for looking!
> >
> > -Adam
> >
> > On 8/4/08, Timothy Weber <tw@timothyweber.org> wrote:
> > > M. Adam Davis wrote:
> > > > Regarding Microchip's new RF transceiver
> > module
> > > >
> > http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1335&dDocName=en535967
> > > >
> > > > I was wondering if anyone knows the range of this
> > particular
> > > > implementation?  I realize it depends greatly on
> > a variety of factors,
> > > > but I'm hoping someone has a ballpark figure
> > so I know whether to
> > > > target it out of the gate, or build in support
> > for the XBEE modules in
> > > > case testing comes back with dismal numbers.
> > > >
> > > > The data sheet appears to have lots of info
> > regarding receiver,
> > > > transmitter, and antenna performance, but I
> > don't know how to turn
> > > > that into "ideal" distance.
> > >
> > > The data sheet does say "Up to 400m Range
> > (outdoor, line-of-sight)",
> > > which seems pretty impressive on ~20 mA.  And by
> > impressive I mean not
> > > very plausible - but I'll be interested to see.
> > At $10 in singles, this
> > > could give the XBee a real challenge.
> > > --
> > > Timothy J. Weber
> > > http://timothyweber.org
> > > --
> > > http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
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> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > EARTH DAY 2008
> > Tuesday April 22
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>
>
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