What's Needed to Pair with Bluetooth Device?

This describes bluetooth connections and pairing and should answer your questions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth

Rixter--Thanks for the Wiki link. Some of the particulars definitely went above my non-engineering head but it's evident that there's a wide range of pairing protocols that can be used. I don't know the security communication parameters of the particular device that's my target nor the category of devices in general (pulse-oximeters) but I will find out. Also, I didn't see anything in the article about reverse-engineering access but that's understandable. Thanks again.

You might find something here you can use....

http://www.nonin.com/OEMSolutions

Thanks, Solar. Very familiar with Nonin. We are going a different direction.

Here's a kit...

http://www.parts-express.com/parts-express-bt-1a-bluetooth-receiver-module-for-wireless-reception-of-bluetooth-audio-sig--320-353

Thanks, Solar. That could come in handy for us for the initial development of our product. Would not have known to look for such a part. Thanks again.

As this is a well understood communication method nowadays, why do you want to develop your own system, why waste time and money, especially as you do not appear to be a radio communication expert either....

Simply approach firms in China and buy the units/chips you need, after extensive testing of course.....

The old saying "Buying a dog and barking yourself comes to mind!"

There are also other radio communication systems, that are sold as finished units on the open market, that exceed the distances of Bluetooth considerably.....slightly higher costs......

Bluetooth was developed as a relatively short distance communication method, 15 yards is usually considered as good!! But in extreme cases, it can be a greater distance I believe....

Thanks, Andy.

There's a chance we will use existing Bluetooth-enabled device(s) as the data transmitter but we might end up building our own custom product. If we do build a custom product, the Bluetooth technology will be one facet of it. And, we will rely on a hired (freelance?) engineer to make sure it's implemented properly. We are a startup so don't have money to waste, only money to use.

You're right--definitely not a communications expert nor an engineer. Have a background in biotech and medical research and am now working in an entrepreneurial setting. I posted my inquiry to gain some knowledge about Bluetooth, especially as it relates to the specificity of the signal. The context of our use doesn't involve major privacy/security concerns so accessibility of the signal stream is a point of interest.

Thanks for the info on distance. Standard Bluetooth distance will suffice for us.

Thanks again.

It would help if you had a background in communication theory. You are confusing the physical/transport media (the Bluetooth signal) with the information contained in it (the data layer). You are also ignoring the fact that eavesdropping is illegal in many jurisdictions.

Can it be done, sure, but you'll have to do your own research, this forum does not support illegal activities.

Thanks, RAM, but your reply was a bit heavy handed and jumped to unwarranted conclusions.

I posted here to get some input from engineering experts b/c that is not my area of expertise.

I want to be expressly clear that there will be no illegal activity. In fact, I addressed that in my initial post. Not sure why you jumped to the conclusion that I was ignoring regulations, etc. and trying to solicit instructions on pursuing illegal activities. Ya know--not everyone has bad intentions, including me.

The purpose of my inquiry was to gain some basic understanding of Bluetooth and the practicalities of interfacing with a Bluetooth-enabled device.

Sorry but the reader's interpretation of the sender's message can often be easily misinterpreted, and it was not at all clear in your original post.

My first response to reading your original post is that you want to learn how to hack into bluetooth transmissions, and that you understand that that could be illegal but wanted to learn more anyway.

Never assume that others can presume your motives from your written words without more details regarding your end results. You were vague and I doubt that I'm the only one who initially assumed the worst.

Good luck.

Hooker

Thanks, Hooker.

It's too bad that folks assume the worst.

Brian, Sorry if you took offense at my remarks, it just seems odd why you would come here without first doing the most rudimentary search on the internet since most of the information you seek is readily available because Bluetooth is an open standard.

Most enterprises that don't want to get involved in the nuts and bolts of BT simply purchase developers kits and interface the BT output to their product. If you said that you were a student interested in how BT works you would you would have gotten a less Draconian response.

By the way, the false flags of "...I understand that intercepting the data may be prohibited..." and "...I want to be expressly clear that there will be no illegal activity..." seem a bit contradictory and maybe even disingenuous, which is why you didn't tell us exactly what you have in mind.

Good luck in your research, and remember your posting here is picked up by Google for all the world to see.

Thanks, RAM.

Guess it seems that I didn't do any basic research but I did. Some of the technical info I simply didn't get and I didn't find anything that addressed universality. I was hoping to encounter someone who would engage in a brief tutorial about Bluetooth.

False flags? No. And, not contradictory, at least from my perspective.

If I were worried about public access, definitely wouldn't have posted here. Looked like this was a good place to engage engineers with diverse backgrounds--and in this case, hopefully in Bluetooth--for a friendly discussion.

Nothing more to add here that hasn't been answered. BT air interface and data packeting is open knowledge.

If you aren't an engineer then why are you bothering to look at this?

Thanks, Wal.

Looking at this--trying to better understand Bluetooth limits and capabilities--because it's part of a project that's under development. If needed, we will bring on board an engineer.

Also, generally speaking, I'm an inquisitive sort and crossing into a new field is enjoyable.

Most of the good guys here err on the side of safety and the law, so don't get overly sensitive.....you came here asking a pretty "undefined" question.....

My inquiry was framed with intention of keeping it simple and on point without divulging details I can't share. Went with generic. Didn't anticipate the various issues encountered.

Hi.

I started my own project without any knowledge with bluetooth and it's protocols. I have an idea I want to create but needed to do a lot of learning. I started with the microchip PIC32 bluetooth development board (25% discount until Dec 15). Mouser and digikey also stock this (but not sure if they honor the discount). There are plenty of downloadable literature as well from microchip so you can get the knowledge before you buy anything.

There are plenty of examples together with code for both the microcontroller and android phone. Tried them and they work.

Here's what I got..."intercepting" the bluetooth signal is useless unless you know what that signal is 'triggering' inside the microcontroller. Eg. To change the LED colour on the devel board, the mobile bluetooth device will send only a text code like "TX:255,03,161,137,162". Intercepting this text is useless. The the PIC32 microcontroller receives the text code and "interprets" the text input. In other words, your microcontroller code determines what to do. The bluetooth signal only sends the input request.

I haven't tried it, but you could write a code in the microcontroller that says if input 1 and input 2 are high (on) then output the colour red on the LED. Hard wiring would mean a switch at input 1 and 2. Stick a bluetooth receiver instead of the switch and write a code for the mobile app to send two highs to input 1 and 2. Intercepting this signal would mean you only see a text message that says TX: 1, 1. Useless to an observer.

I hope this helps somewhat.

Thanks very much, Daffy.

I checked out the development board and supporting literature. Learned some things. Since I'm not an engineer, plenty went over my head but definitely helpful.

Thanks for the details and your thoughts on the matter of "interception" and communication.

Hope the project you referenced is going well.

Thanks again.

HERE is a bluetooth developers book on AMAZON. Read it

Thanks, Macgyver, for the recommendation.

I checked out the reviews--one says it's great for non-engineers and another says it's only useful to someone already familiar with Bluetooth technology from an engineering perspective. I'll probably pull the trigger and check it out.

Thanks again.

To All--Thanks for taking the time to reply and providing resources and information. If I ever have reason to post on CR4 again, I'll figure out a better way to engage the community. Enjoy the rest of summer! Brian

Brian,

No worries. Have fun with your project and keep trying.

Sometimes on this forum the comments can get a bit "Snarky" but it is meant to spur your motivation to find the information yourself. I have found that when I dig and dig, trying to figure out an issue, my efforts are usually rewarded!

When I find the solution, it is that much sweeter.

Good luck,

Bryan