Roving Networks FIREFLY RN-240, FIREFLY RN-422 Install Manual And User Manual

FireFly User Manual

www.rovingnetworks.com

RN-240-um Version 1.0 2/22/2010

F

IREFLY

RN-240 & RN-422

Bluetooth Serial Adapter

Install Guide and User Manual

Version 1.0

Copyright © 2010 Roving Networks, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The contents of this document can be changed by Roving networks without prior notice and do not

constitute any binding undertakings from Roving networks. Roving Networks is not responsible under any

circumstances for direct, indirect, unexpected or consequent damage that is caused by this document.

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Overview

The FireFly serial adapter is compact, versatile Class 1 Bluetooth serial adapter. It enables wireless connections
to any legacy serial port and supports bi-directional RS232 or RS422 signaling at a rate of up to 464Kbps. Just
attach the FireFly to your device's RS232/EIA232/422 port, connect over Bluetooth, and you have a wireless cable
replacement solution. The transmit range can be up to 330' (100M), depending upon environmental factors.

FireFly Bluetooth adapter can be used as a Bluetooth Master or Slave device. The SPP connection to the unit
appears via a virtual COM interface. Data is sent and received on the client exactly as if a serial cable was
connected to a real COM port on the client.

FireFly can also be used in cable replacement mode where two Roving Networks Bluetooth devices are paired
using the configuration switches. The USB to Bluetooth (RN-USB-X) has pairing switches and can be used with
the FireFly BP to create a wireless connection to a PC without using the PC’s Bluetooth stack. For more
information on cable replacement, please refer to our “Cable Replacement Application Note” on the website.

Status LEDs

The GREEN LED shows the Bluetooth connection status and the adapter operational mode. Upon boot up, it blinks
two times per second. In configuration mode, it blinks at a fat rate of ten times per second. When the module is in
discoverable or idle mode, the GREEN LED blinks one time per second. When the module is in connected sate, the
GREEN LED is solid ON.

MODE GREEN LED BLINK

In Configuration mode Fast, 10 x per second
Boot up, Remote Configurable 2 times per second
Discoverable/Idle 1 time per second
Connected On Solid

The yellow LED blinks when data is sent or received on the serial interface. This does not indicate that the data
was sent over the Bluetooth connection. If the yellow LED is not flashing when your device is sending data to the
serial port, you likely have the connection or flow control incorrectly set.

Some versions of RN-240 have a RED LED. This LED blinks when there is data being received over the RF link.

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Making a Bluetooth Connection

By default, the FireFly acts as a slave and the PC is the master. Connecting to the FireFly is done through the
Bluetooth device manager which has a different look and feel in Window CE, 2K, XP, Vista and Windows 7.
Regardless of the PC operating system, the process is essentially the same: Discovery, Pairing, and Connecting.

These processes are described below for a Windows 7 machine.

Discovery: The FireFly must be discoverable by simply turning it on. The Green LED should be blinking. On
your PC open the Bluetooth device manager and click on “Add” a new device. The Bluetooth device manager is
located in the bottom right corner of your screen in the taskbar. The Bluetooth device manager will display a list
of all the Bluetooth devices that are discoverable. The FireFly will be displayed as “FireFly-XXXX” where XXX is
the last 4 digits of the MAC address.

Pairing: Next you must pair with the device by double clicking on FireFly-XXXX in the list. Select “Enter the
device’s pairing code” option from the list. Enter the default pin code of 1234. Once the Bluetooth device
manager completes you will see a message to the effect, “Bluetooth device installed on COMX” where COMX is
unique to your machine. In some cases the Bluetooth device manager will create two COM ports, in this case you
only want to use the COM port labeled “outgoing”.

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You only need to pair with the FireFly once.

Connecting: To establish a Bluetooth connection, open up the COM port assigned to the device from either your
application or a terminal emulator. Once the COM port is open you will notice the green LED switches from
blinking to solid ON. The device will remain connected until the COM port is closed or the FireFly is turned off.

Pin Codes and Link Keys

If either the local or the remote Bluetooth device has authentication enabled, the following process occurs.

1. The first time a connection is attempted, a “passkey” is required. This is a series of numbers or
characters. (1234 is the default for the Roving Networks Bluetooth devices and modules)

2. Once this is entered, the remote Bluetooth device and local device compare their passkeys and if they
match, a link key is generated, and stored. Usually, but not always this is stored by the remote device.

3. Upon subsequent connections, the devices will first compare link keys and if they are correct, no pin code
will have to be re-entered.

If the remote device is a PC or PDA, a prompt is generally made to the user to enter this pincode. To remove the
stored link key on the remote device, generally you “unpair” or remove the device from the Bluetooth manager.
You can change the Pin Code to remove the link key on the FireFly. This will be forcing a new Pin Code exchange
process to occur upon subsequent connection attempts.

NOTE: Only one Master can connect to the FireFly at a time.

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The configuration switches on the top of the FireFly are small. You will need a paper clip or small screw driver to

change them. Hold the devices with the DB9 connector facing to the right, the switches are

four from bottom to top and the off position is towards the DB9 connector.

nd toggle the switch from ON

The GREEN LED flashes quickly for a moment and then continues to blink at about once per second.

In slave mode, sets a special class of device that is used the master to auto connect. If Switch 3 also ON, the

h, stores, and connects to a remote

connects to a stored remote address. First set the Bluetooth address of

and or through instant cable replacement settings.

OFF = 115K will be overridden by software baud rate configuration commands, ON = 9600 ignores any software

set using the “SM” command when in command mode. The possible

Default mode,

In this mode, the FireFly makes connections when a Connect Command “C”, is

received. This command can also contain the Bluetooth address of the remote device. If no device is

specified, then the store remote address is used. The connection can be broke

character or string is sent (use the SO command to set the break character)

In this mode, the FireFly makes connections automatically when a character is

received on the serial port. The connection will continue as long as characters are received on either end.

(which is set using the ST command)

XX (from 1 to 254) seconds of inactivity.

FireFly

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to return the unit to factory

Roving Networks Bluetooth Device that

whereby other Bluetooth devices can discover and connect to the

n if the special break

This is a low speed

which will cause a disconnect after

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Configuration Switches

1 – RESTORE FACTORY DEFAULTS

Set this switch ON, power up unit, a
settings.

2 - AUTO DISCOVERY

device performs a searc
set.

3 - AUTO MASTER

Device acts as Bluetooth master, auto-

the slave device using the SR comm

4 - DEFAULT BAUD RATE

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numbered one to

has switch 2

configuration

Operating Modes

The operating modes for the FireFly are
operating modes are:

Slave (SM,1<CR>)

FireFly

Master (SM,1<CR>)

connect mode.

Trigger (SM,2<CR>)

There is a configurable timeout

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This is a low speed connect mode.

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In this mode, the FireFly makes connections automatically on powerup, and

connects when connection is lost. This

high speed connect mode, and cannot be broken by software break characters.

In all master modes the device will not be discoverable or allow configuration remotely over

pecification

RN

Female DB9

TXD

RXD

GND

CTS

RTS

12VDC

NOTE: The RS422 interface uses the MAX490 transceiver. This device is designed to operate with input voltage

RXD+ and TXD+ each have a 4.7K pull up to 5VDC.

each have a 4.7K pull down to GND.

interface uses the SIPEX SP3232ECA chip with capacitor switch to generate the + and

and thus is not driving the full RS232 voltages. Devices stealing power from the RS232 pins may not have enough

uration for the FireFly is

Serial port 115K baud rate, 8 bits, NP, 1 stop bit

Configuration is done by putting the FireFly into command mode and sending ASC

over the serial port or over the Bluetooth link.

Once you change the configuration parameters, they persist until changed or a factory reset is performed.

FireFly

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mode can also be enabled by setting Dip Switch #2. This is the

II commands. This can be done

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Auto Master (SM,3<CR>)

re-

Bluetooth.

Serial Connector S

DB9 connector Pin Out

Pin

1 NC
2 RXD
3 TXD
4 NC
5 GND
6 NC
7 RTS
8 CTS
9 4-12VDC 4-

RN-240M
Male DB9

RN-240-um

-240F

NC NC

NC
RXD-

NC TXD+

GND

NC +5 VDC (input)

RXD+
TXD-

NC

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RN-422M

Male DB9

range of 4.75 to 5.25 VDC.

RXD- and TXD-

NOTE: The RS232

voltage

.

Device Configuration

The default config

• Bluetooth slave mode

• Bluetooth pin code 1234

•

• Serial port flow control disabled

• Low power mode off

– signals

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Local configuration over the serial port

Connect the FireFly to the serial port your computer. You may need a null-modem cable (DB9 pins 2 and 3
swapped) if you have a RN-240M or a straight cable if you have a RN-240F. If your computer does not have a
serial port you can use a USB serial cable such as the RN-USB-SERIAL to connect the FireFLy to your computer.

With the FireFly connected and powered on, start your favorite terminal emulator and open the COM port that the
serial interface or serial USB is connected to. (A free terminal emulator, TeraTerm for the PC is available at

www.rovingnetworks.com/support/teraterm.zip)

The communication settings of the terminal emulator should match the default serial port settings of the FireFly
BP of 115,200Kbps, 8 bits, No Parity, 1 stop bit.

Remote Configuration over Bluetooth

NOTE:
Remote configuration can only occur if the bootup configuration timer (default 60 seconds) has not
expired. This timer is set to 0 (remote config disabled) for master mode, and auto-connect slave
mode, so that data can immediately flow between the 2 devices in cable replacement fashion.

You must first pair the Bluetooth device with your computer. Click on the “Bluetooth devices” icon in the system
tray at the bottom right of your computer. Select “Add a Bluetooth device”

Roving Netowrks recommends you download the free TeraTerm program from our website
(www.rovingnetworks.com/support/teraterm.zip), as we have found many bugs with Hyperterminal that render it
ineffective in talking to local serial ports.

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Getting into command mode

Launch TeraTerm and make sure that the default settings are selected (115,200Kbps, 8 bits, No Parity, 1 stop
bit). You can change these settings by clicking on Setup  Serial Port from within TeraTerm.

Type $$$ into the terminal emulator (3 dollar signs). You should see CMD returned to you. If you see CMD you
know that your connection and terminal settings are correct.

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Entering a valid command will return an AOK, invalid syntax returns ERR, and unrecognized commands will
return a ?. Type “h”<cr> to see a list of commands, and “d”<cr> to see a summary of current settings.

To return to data mode, type
“---“ ( 3 minus signs) <cr>, or reset the device and connect again.

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Command Summary

All configuration information is stored in flash memory. The “set” command modifies the flash memory however
the Bluetooth module only reads the configuration from flash when powering up or after a reboot.
Some examples of common configuration commands:

SU,9600 sets Uart Baudrate to 9600
SN,myname sets Bluetooth name to “myname”
SA,1 enables secure authentication
SP,secret sets security pincode to “secret”
SF,1 restores all values to factory defaults
R,1 reboots the module

Set commands

S7,<1,0> 7 bit data mode. 1 to enable, 0 to disable. (setting can be seen with the “d” command).
SL,<E,O,N> Set UART parity. Can be any of, Even, Odd, or None. Only the first character is needed and

must be capital.

SU,<rate> Baudrate, {1200, 2400, 4800, 9600, 19.2, 28.8, 38.4, 57.6, 115K, 230K, 460K, 921K },

only the first 2 characters are needed.

SN,<name> Name of the device, 20 characters maximum. Example: “SN,MyDevice”
SS,<text> Service Name (1 to 20 characters ).

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S-,<name> Serialized Friendly Name of the device, 15 characters maximum. This command will

automatically append the last 2 bytes of the BT MAC address to the name. Example: S-
,MyDevice will set the name to “MyDevice-ABCD”

SC,<hex word> Service Class (four hex values, 11 bits used) this is used with Device Class command below

to create the 24 bit Class of Device number.

SD,<hex word> Device Class (four hex values, major and minor in a 16 bit word, used with service class

above)

To set the Class of Device (COD) to 0x1F0123 use the commands

SC,001F
SD,0123

SM,<5,4,3,2,1,0> Mode (0=slave, 1=master,2=trigger, 3=auto, 4=DTR, 5=ANY)

SR,<address> Store remote address, 12 hex digits, (6 bytes) no spaces or characters between digits

Example: SR,00A053112233 sets the remote Bluetooth address to 00A053112233
NOTE there are two special characters that can be used for the address parameter:

SR,Z will erase any stored address.
SR,I will write the last address seen using the inquiry command.

This can be helpful when you just have only one other device in range.

S?,<0,1> Role Switch. Enables and disables Role Switch. If set, when an incoming connection is

occurs to a slave mode device, an attempt will be made to force a role switch, allowing the
slave to become the master. This is useful in situations where high speed data is being sent
from the local device up to the remote host, and can result in better performance. However
this may create a situation whereby the connecting host will not be able to make additional
outbound connections (multipoint) while connected to this device. Default is DISABLED.

SE,<1,0> Encryption 1 to enable, 0 to disable.
SP,<text> Security pin code, 20 character maximum. Each time the device success pairs, the BT address

will be saved. Up to eight addresses can be stored on a first in first out bases. To erase all
stored pairings, reset the passkey command. You can use the same value that is already set.

ST,<number> Configuration timer, number of seconds (range= 0 to 255 decimal) to allow remote

configuration over Bluetooth after power up in Slave Mode. In all Master modes, the remote
configuration timer is set to 0 (no remote configuration). In Trigger Master Mode, the
configuration timer is used as an idle timer to break the connection after time expires with no
characters being received.

SW,<hex word> Enable low power SNIFF mode. See Low Power section
S|,<value> Low power connect mode.

S$,<char> Configuration detect character. This allows a change from the default $$$ to some other

VALUE

(decimal)

0 No remote config, No local config when

1-252 Time in seconds from power up to allow

253 Continous config LOCAL only
254 Contiuous config, REMOTE only
255 Continous config, both LOCAL and REMOTE

character.

RN-240-um Version 1.0 2/22/2010

DESCRIPTION

connected

config

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SF,1 Set Factory Defaults.

Display commands:

D Display basic settings.
E Display extended settings
O Display other settings
G<X> Display stored settings for command X. These commands correspond to the SET commands

above.

GB Returns the Bluetooth Address of the device.
GK Returns the current connection status: 1=connected, 0 = not connected.
V Return the software release version

Action Commands

+ Local echo. Toggle local echo of RX chars in command mode only. (default is off ).
C Attempt to connect to the REMOTE stored address.
C,<address> Connect to the address specified in hex format. The address is also stored as the REMOTE

address.

CF<address> Connect and immediately go into FAST data mode. NOTE: you will not be able to enter

command mode while connected. PIO6 can still be used to disconnect. Thus PIO6 should be
held HIGH before sending this command, as lowering PIO6 will cause a disconnect.

CFI Connect and immediately go into FAST data mode using the LAST address found from the

Inquiry command. NOTE: you will not be able to enter command mode while connected.
PIO6 can still be used to disconnect.

CFR Connect and immediately go into FAST data mode using the REMOTE address. Similar to the C

command but bypasses the configuration timer.

CT<address>,<timer> Connect with TIMER. The device will NOT use or store the remote address, rather will

make a connection to the <address> (REQUIRED). The device will automatically disconnect
after 7 seconds if no data is seen from UART or BT. An optional timer value can be entered to
change the timer. This value is in ¼ seconds. So for a 30 second timer, use 120 as the
value. The maximum value is 255 (64 seconds)

K, Kill (disconnect) from the current connection. The characters KILL<cr><lf> will be echoed to

the local UART once the connection is broken.

F,1 Go into fast data mode, ends configuration immediately.
H Help, will print out a list of commands and their basic syntax
R,1 Forces a complete reboot of the device (similar to a power cycle

RN-240-um Version 1.0 2/22/2010

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Instant Cable Replacement

Using two Roving Networks Bluetooth serial adapters or FirePlug (RN

each device as shown below.

Power up both devices and the master will discover the

The devices are now paired and the green LED on each device should be on solid.

After pairing, set switch 2 on both devices to OFF so that they don’t try to re

paired, every time the devices get in range of one another they will connect and the master will not attempt

To break this pairing restore the factor defaults using dip switch 1.

For more information on the instant cable replacement, please refer to the ‘Instant Cable Replacement Application

on off

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X) USB dongle, with the power OFF set

slave device, store its Bluetooth address and connect.

pair each time power is cycled.

on off

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the switches on

Master mode
Auto discovery and auto Master on

Once
to connect to any other Bluetooth device.

Master mode

4
3
2
1

RN-240-um

-USB-

Slave
Auto discovery on

-

Slave

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4
3
2
1

Note” posted on our website.

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