The system control for Bluetooth requires one device to operate as the coordinating device - master - while all of the other devices are slaves. This is very similar to the structure of a universal serial bus (USB) system that is commonly used in personal computers and devices such as digital cameras. However, unlike USB connections, most Bluetooth devices can operate as either a master (coordinator) or slave (follower) and Bluetooth devices can reverse their roles if necessary.

The characteristics of Bluetooth include an unlicensed frequency band that ranges from 2.4 GHz to 2.483 GHz. This frequency band was chosen because it is available for use in most countries throughout the world. While the standard frequency band for Bluetooth is in the 2.400 GHz to 2.483 GHz (83 MHz) frequency band, the original Bluetooth specification had an optional smaller frequency band 23 MHz version for use in some countries. The use of a smaller frequency band does not change the data transmission rate. However, these devices are more sensitive to interference (such as other Bluetooth device transmission). This interference may cause a lower overall data transmission rate.