EXP Computer Serial Port Profile User Manual

Application Note

Demonstrating the Serial Port Profile (SPP)

Between BTW

2002/6/29

1. Introduction

As a technology leader in the wireless networking market, WIDCOMM’s vision is to enable
consumers to easily, conveniently and securely access information and services from their
Bluetooth devices anytime and anywhere – from homes, offices and public places.

• BTW™ is a set of software drivers and utilities that seamlessly integrate Bluetooth
technology into your desktop or laptop computer.

• BlueConnect™ is a Bluetooth Springboard™-compatible radio module for the
Handspring™ Visor™. This document describes the procedure for demonstrating the use of the
Serial Port Profile (SPP) to chat between a BlueConnect module on a Handspring Visor and a
Bluetooth USB dongle on a Microsoft Windows laptop or desktop computer. This document
was tested using the following configuration:

• A desktop or laptop computer with an available USB interface and running the
Microsoft Windows 2000 operating system.

• BTW version 1.2.1.14 or later.

• A Psion USB dongle running firmware version 114.

• A standard version of the Handspring Visor (running Palm OS 3.1) with a Bluetooth CF

card running the WIDCOMM version 3.0 software. The procedure is slightly different
under the Palm OS version 3.5.

• A terminal emulator under Windows 2000. Hyperterminal will work although it is not
recommended. This example utilizes an enhanced version of Hyperterminal which is
available for download from the Web.

NOTE: The procedure on a computer running other versions of the Microsoft Windows
operating system may be slightly different.

2. A Quick Overview of the Procedure

The basic procedure for running this demonstration is not complicated. On the Visor side,
WidChat acts like a simple terminal emulator that connects to another computer through a Serial
Port Profile (SPP) connection. Instead of a physical serial cable connecting the two computers,
a Bluetooth wireless link is used to simulate a serial connection. On the BTW/Windows side,
you can use any terminal emulator which runs under Windows and supports the Windows
Virtual COMM (VCOMM) port standard. Here is a quick overview of the process:

1) Install BTW 1.2 and a Psion dongle on your Windows Computer (98SE, 2000, Me, or
XP version)

2) Install Hyperterminal Private Edition or some other compatible terminal emulator on
your BTW system

3) Insert the BlueConnect 3.0 card into your Visor

4) Use the Visor to inquire for the BTW device

5) Use the Visor to discover the “Bluetooth Serial Port” service on the BTW system

6) Use the Visor to establish a connection to the “Bluetooth Serial Port” service on the
BTW system. You do this by starting WidChat on the Visor and using it to initiate a
connection.

7) Using the BTW dialogs, determine what Virtual COMM (VCOMM) port has been
assigned to the BTW side of the SPP link

8) Configure your Windows terminal emulator to use the VCOMM port that you
uncovered in step 7. Configure the terminal emulator to echo local input to the screen
(Local Echo ON).

9) Start the terminal emulator on the BTW system.

10) At this point you may chat freely back and forth.

11) When you are finished, terminate the applications (WidChat and your Windows
terminal emulator).

12) Terminate the SPP link by shutting down your BlueConnect card on the Visor.

3. The Differences between the Old and New WidChat

WidChat has changed somewhat between the BlueConnect 2.2G and 3.0 releases. Under 2.2G,
you would simply discover the SPP service on a remote server and run WidChat in order to
establish a connection. WidChat would automatically attempt to connect to the SPP service on
the remote device. It was limited to only using a service which advertised itself as a legacy
serial port profile. Since WidChat had no user options whatsoever, there was no possibility of
confusion. Since then, WidChat has been enhanced. The new WidChat will allow you to connect
to a custom RFCOMM service that was created specifically to support the WidChat application.
This allows WidChat to communicate with another WidChat that is running on a different
Visor. To support the new functionality, there are now various menu options on WidChat.
Some of these options can be confusing to people who are used to the old version of WidChat.
For best results, we recommend that you exactly follow the instructions outlined in this
document.

4. Setup

ETUP

_ Details option as shown

4.1 BTW S

4.1.1 Connecting the USB Dongle to your Desktop or Laptop Computer

Installing the USB Bluetooth Adapter is quick and painless. Connect the USB cable to the
matching USB connector on your PC, laptop computer, or USB hub.

4.1.2 Installing the BTW Software

The BTW software is installed from a CDROM using an InstallShield executable. For detailed
instruction on how to install the software, see the BTW Installation and Uninstallation

Instructions. This document will be supplied with your BTW CD and has the file name
readme.pdf.

4.1.3 Set Explorer to View Details

On your Windows PC, start the Windows Explorer and click on the My Bluetooth Places entry
in the folder view. For additional status information, use the View
below.

NOTE: It is important later in the process to use the View Details option. This setting will
allow you to view the details of your SPP connection in the My Device display.

4.1.4 Configuring BTW to Act as an SPP Server

No action is necessary on your part. A service entitled “Bluetooth Serial Port” will be
automatically started on your Windows desktop or laptop computer. This service will handle all
incoming requests which attempt to utilize the Serial Port Profile.

4.2 B

LUECONNECT SETUP

4.2.1 Power Considerations and Battery Drain

Whenever the Bluetooth Stack is running, the BlueConnect card remains fully powered up and
operational. Even when the Handspring Visor auto-off timer expires and the screen blanks,
power is still applied to the BlueConnect card. If the screen blank button is pushed, power is
still applied to the BlueConnect card. This can cause the battery to drain at a high rate. For
this
reason, you should always power down the card when the Bluetooth features are no longer
being used. This can be done by using the “Bluetooth” pull-down selector and choosing
“Disabled” at the main Bluetooth preferences screen.

4.2.2 Configuring BlueConnect as an SPP Client

SPP connectivity requires a remote device with a SPP server running the Bluetooth Serial Port
Profile. The name of the SPP service running under BTW 1.2 is “Bluetooth Serial Port”.

1. Insert the BlueConnect module into your Visor. You should see the BlueConnect 3.0
welcome
screen:

2. Tap the icon.

3. Tap the

4. The devices displayed are drawn from the discovery database and may not be up-to-date.

icon. Make sure that Bluetooth is enabled.