Bluetooth has become a popular way of communicating with serial devices due to low cost, reliable communication, ease of use and because Bluetooth is readily available in most modern laptops and handheld devices; and in case Bluetooth is not available then it can easily be enabled by using a USB Bluetooth dongle. Bluetooth is ideal for short range communication for up to 100 meters (300 feet).
Setup Methods
This serial Bluetooth adapter will allow you to communicate with a RS232 serial device from any computer with Bluetooth enabled. You can create a link directly to the computer in which case the operating system's Bluetooth drivers will create a virtual COM port (in Windows 8.1, 8, 7 and Vista); or you can pair two of these serial Bluetooth adapters with each other in which case they work independent from the computer's Bluetooth drivers, in other words, if you use these adapters in pairs then your computer does not have to have Bluetooth capabilities; this is almost like a direct cable replacement.
Here are some simplified setup examples:
Parameter Management
The adapter's parameters can be configured over Bluetooth or through the serial RS232 interface. We highly recommend configuring this adapter through the serial port as configuring it over Bluetooth can be kind of tricky if you are not used to dealing with this type of adapter. If your computer does not have a serial port then you can connect the serial Bluetooth adapter to your computer by using a USB to serial adapter; we recommend the XS880 which is a good quality adapter at a reasonable price.
Compatibility and Uses
This serial to Bluetooth adapter is compatible with most standard RS232 devices such as serial printers, scales, process equipment, CNC machines, alarms and virtually any other kind of device or machinery with a standard RS232 port.
It can be used in most types of environments including laboratories, warehouses, offices, machine shops and most other commercial or industrial environments; however please notice that this adapter is not water or dust proof so necessary precautions must be taken if the adapter is used in such environments.
Each package contains one Bluetooth serial adapter which works as a full duplex transceiver, meaning it can both transmit and receive data. You will need two of these Bluetooth serial adapters to setup a communication link unless you already have a built-in or external Bluetooth dongle. Take a look at our detailed setup examples to see how this adapter can be setup.
Overall features
- Easy to setup and use with standard Bluetooth
- Configurable over serial or wireless interface
- External dipole antenna
- Communication range up to 300 feet
- Works with most mobile devices / operating systems
- DCE/DTE controlled by switch
- Can be powered through the serial interface
- LED control lights
- Works with most serial RS232 devices
- Full duplex, can send and receive at the same time
- Power: USB, DB9, power supply or battery
- Many advanced features
- USB power cable included
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Included items
- Serial Bluetooth adapter
- USB cable (for power)
- Di-pole antenna
- Datasheet
Resources
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| SPECIFICATIONS |
| Part number |
UCBT232EXA |
| Operating systems |
Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000, ME, 98, Linux, Mac, Android |
| Interface type |
RS232 |
| Works with iPad/iPod? |
No, however it does work with most other Bluetooth enabled smartphones, tablets and devices |
| Chipset |
CSR BlueCore4 model BC417 |
| Baud Rate |
1200, 4800, 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200 |
| Data bits |
7 or 8 |
| Stop bits |
1 or 2 |
| Parity |
None, odd, even |
| Data buffer size |
4Kb |
| Operating distance |
Up to 330 feet (100 meters) in open space |
| LED lights |
TX, RX and Power |
| Bluetooth stack |
Serial Port Profile (SPP) |
| PIN |
PIN code available for pairing |
| Connection type |
Point-to-point |
| Flow control |
CTS/RTS and DSR/DTR configurable by software |
| DEC/DTE |
Manual switch |
| Parameters configured by |
Standard terminal software such as TeraTerm or Putty |
| RS232 Signals |
TX, RX, CTS, RTS, GND |
| Echo |
Configurable by software (on/off) |
| NMEA 183 compatible |
Yes |
| Works with Windows 2008/20012 Server? |
No, Windows Server does not have built-in Bluetooth drivers |
| Can pair while serial interface receives data |
Yes |
| Full duplex RS232 |
Yes, can send and receive simultaneously both when connected over Bluetooth and when used in pairs. |
| Number of slaves per master |
7 |
| Parameter configuration |
Through the serial port or over Bluetooth |
| Serial port |
1-port female D-sub 9-pin |
| Bluetooth standard |
V2.0 Class 1, + EDR |
| Frequency range |
2.4GHz – 2.4835 GHz ISM Band |
| Hopping |
1.600/sec, 1MHz channel space |
| Modulation |
GFSK-1, DQPSK-2, 8-DPSK-3 Mbps |
| Tx power |
Max. 18dBm (class 1) |
| Rx sensivity |
-86 dBm typical |
| Antenna |
External 2dBi di-pole, SMA female |
| Power supply |
+5 to +6 VDC 300mA powered by:
Option 1: USB cable (included)
Option 2: Pin 9 on DB9 connector
Option 3: External battery (not included)
Option 4: Mini USB adapter (not included) |
| Current consumption |
Max 90mA |
| Operating temp. |
-20C ~ 85C |
| Dimensions |
87 x 33 x 16 mm |
| Certifications |
CE, FCC |
For alternative wireless serial solutions please see our full selection of wireless RS232 adapters.
