Bluetooth profiles

The following profiles are defined and adopted byFax Profile (FAX)
the Bluetooth SIG:This profile is intended to provide a well defined
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)interface between a mobile phone or fixed-line
This profile defines how high quality audio (stereophone and a PC with Fax software installed.
or mono) can be streamed from one device toSupport must be provided for ITU T.31 and / or
another over a Bluetooth connection - forITU T.32 AT command sets as defined by ITU-T.
example, music streamed from a mobile phone toData and voice calls are not covered by this
a wireless headset.profile.
A2DP was initially used in conjunction with anFile Transfer Profile (FTP)
intermediate Bluetooth transceiver that connectsProvides access to the file system on another
to a standard output audio jack, encodes thedevice. This includes support for getting folder
incoming audio to a Bluetooth-friendly format, andlistings, changing to different folders, getting files,
sends the signal wirelessly to Bluetoothputting files and deleting files. It uses OBEX as a
headphones that decode and play the audio.transport and is based on GOEP.
However, many Bluetooth 1.1, 1.2, and 2.0 mobileGeneral Audio/Video Distribution Profile (GAVDP)
phones and portable media players nativelyProvides the basis for A2DP, and VDP.
support A2DP, and most newer Bluetooth 2.0Generic Access Profile (GAP)
headphones support it as well.[2] BluetoothProvides the basis for all other profiles.
headphones, especially the more advancedGeneric Object Exchange Profile (GOEP)
models, often come with a microphone andProvides a basis for other data profiles. Based on
support for the Audio/Video Remote ControlOBEX.
(AVRCP), Headset (HSP) and Handsfree (HFP)Hard Copy Cable Replacement Profile (HCRP)
profiles.This provides a simple wireless alternative to a
A2DP is designed to transfer a 2-channel stereocable connection between a device and a printer.
audio stream, like music from an MP3 player, to aUnfortunately it does not set a standard regarding
headset or car radio. This profile relies on AVDTPthe actual communications to the printer, so
and GAVDP. It includes mandatory support fordrivers are required specific to the printer model
low complexity Sub Band Codec (SBC) andor range. This makes this profile less useful for
supports optionally: MPEG-1,2 Audio, MPEG-2,4embedded devices such as digital cameras and
AAC and ATRAC, and is extensible to supportpalmtops, as updating drivers can be problematic.
manufacturer-defined codecs. Most bluetoothHands-Free Profile (HFP)
stacks implement the SCMS-T copyrightThis is commonly used to allow car hands-free
protection. In these cases it is not possible tokits to communicate with mobile phones in the
connect the A2DP headphones for high qualitycar. It uses SCO (see Synchronous Connection
audio. E.g. the Motorola HT820 can be used forOriented link) to carry a mono, PCM audio channel.
high quality audio only with certain versions of theCurrently in version 1.5. In 2002 Audi, with the
Toshiba bluetooth stack.Audi A8, was the first motor vehicle
Operating Systemsmanufacturer to install Bluetooth technology in a
Linux desktop distribution is still sketchy. Therecar, enabling the passenger to use a wireless
exists open source code Bluetooth-alsa Projectin-car phone. The following year Acura introduced
that integrates with ALSA (Linux) to provide anyBluetooth technology integration with the audio
media player that makes use of ALSA tosystem as a standard feature in the third
transmit audio over A2DP.generation Acura TL in a system dubbed
Mac OS X v10.4, the current version of Apple'sHandsFree Link (HFL). Later, BMW added it as an
Mac OS X operating system, does not includeoption on its 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series
support for A2DP; however, the developerand X5 vehicles. Since then, other manufacturers
preview release of Apple's forthcoming Mac OS Xhave followed suit, with many vehicles, including
v10.5 doesthe Toyota Prius (Since 2004), 2007 Toyota
Palm OS A2DP support has been introduced inCamry, and the Lexus LS 430 (Since 2004). The
2006 by Softick in Softick Audio GatewayBluetooth car kits allow users with
shareware program.Bluetooth-equipped cell phones to make use of
Windows Mobile - used to be called Pocket PC -some of the phone's features, such as making
from version 5, based on Windows CE 5.0 kernel,calls, while the phone itself can be left in a
fully supports A2DP if appropriate device issuitcase or in the boot/trunk, for instance.
present (ie embedded in the PDA, phone etc).Companies like Parrot or Motorola manufacture
Windows XP does not support A2DP out of theBluetooth hands-free car kits for well-known
box, but newer Bluetooth USB dongles and built-inbrand car manufacturers.
adapters include drivers with A2DP support. .Human Interface Device Profile (HID)
Windows Vista does not support A2DP yet,Provides support for devices such as mice,
although it does look for drivers for it, enablingjoysticks, keyboards, etc. It is designed to
third parties (or Microsoft) to later provide driversprovide a low latency link, with low power
for A2DP without reworking the entire Bluetoothrequirements. Popular devices that feature
stack.support for this profile include: Logitech diNovo
Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)Media Desktop 2.0, Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite.
This profile is designed to provide a standardPlayStation 3 controllers and Wii Remotes also use
interface to control TVs, Hi-fi equipment, etc. toBT HID.
allow a single remote control (or other device) toHeadset Profile (HSP)
control all of the A/V equipment to which a userThis is the most commonly used profile, providing
has access. It may be used in concert with A2DPsupport for the popular Bluetooth Headsets to be
or VDP.used with mobile phones. It relies on SCO for
It has the possibility for vendor-dependentaudio and a subset of AT commands from GSM
extensions. The Generic Media Control Profile07.07 for minimal controls including the ability to
(GMCP) is proposed to be an open standard forring, answer a call, hang up and adjust the volume.
transfer of media-content-related informationIntercom Profile (ICP)
using those extensions.This is often referred to as the walkie-talkie
Basic Imaging Profile (BIP)profile. It is another TCS (Telephone Control
This profile is designed for sending imagesprotocol Specification) based profile, relying on
between devices and includes the ability to resize,SCO to carry the audio. It is proposed to allow
and convert images to make them suitable forvoice calls between two Bluetooth capable
the receiving device. It may be broken down intohandsets, over Bluetooth.
smaller pieces:Object Push Profile (OPP)
Image PushA basic profile for sending "objects" such as
Allows the sending of images from a device thepictures, virtual business cards, or appointment
user controls.details. It is called push because the transfers are
Image Pullalways instigated by the sender (client), not the
Allows the browsing and retrieval of images fromreceiver (server).
a remote device.Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN)
Advanced Image PrintingThis profile is intended to allow the use of
print images with advanced options using theBluetooth Network Encapsulation Protocol on
DPOF format developed by Canon, Kodak,Layer 3 protocols for transport over a Bluetooth
Fujifilm, and Matsushitalink.
Automatic ArchivePhone Book Access Profile (PBAP)
Allows the automatic backup of all the newThis profile allows exchange of Phone Book
images from a target device. For example, aObjects between devices. It is likely to be used
laptop could download all of the new picturesbetween a car kit and a mobile phone to allow the
from a camera whenever it is within range.car kit to display the name of the incoming caller.
Remote CameraSerial Port Profile (SPP)
Allows the initiator to remotely use a digitalThis profile is based on the ETSI TS07.10
camera. For example, a user could place a cameraspecification and uses the RFCOMM protocol. It
on a tripod for a group photo, use their phoneemulates a serial cable to provide a simply
handset to check that everyone is in frame, andimplemented wireless replacement for existing
activate the shutter with the user in the photo.RS-232 based serial communications applications,
Remote Displayincluding familiar control signals. It provides the
Allows the initiator to push images to be displayedbasis for DUN, FAX, HSP and AVRCP profiles.
on another device. For example, a user could giveService Discovery Application Profile (SDAP)
a presentation by sending the slides to a videoThis mandatory profile is used to find out which
projector.profiles are offered by the Server device.
Basic Printing Profile (BPP)SIM Access Profile (SAP, SIM)
This allows devices to send text, e-mails, vCards,This allows devices such as car phones with built
or other items to printers based on print jobs. Itin GSM transceivers to connect to a SIM card in a
differs from HCRP in that it needs nophone with Bluetooth, so the car phone itself
printer-specific drivers. This makes it more suitabledoesn't require a separate SIM card.
for embedded devices such as mobile phones andSynchronisation Profile (SYNCH)
digital cameras which cannot easily be updatedThis profile allows synchronisation of Personal
with drivers dependent upon printer vendors.Information Manager (PIM) items. As this profile
Common ISDN Access Profile (CIP)originated as part of the infrared specifications but
This provides unrestricted access to the services,has been adopted by the Bluetooth SIG to form
data and signalling that ISDN offers.part of the main Bluetooth specification, it is also
Cordless Telephony Profile (CTP)commonly referred to as IrMC Synchronization.
This is designed for cordless phones to workVideo Distribution Profile (VDP)
using Bluetooth. It is hoped that mobile phonesThis profile allows the transport of a video
could use a Bluetooth CTP gateway connected tostream. It could be used for streaming a recorded
a landline when within the home, and the mobilevideo from a PC media center to a portable
phone network when out of range. It is central toplayer, or from a digital video camera to a TV.
the Bluetooth SIG's '3-in-1 phone' use case.Support for H.263 baseline is mandatory. Support
Device ID Profile (DID)for MPEG-4 Visual Simple Profile, H.263 profiles 3
This profile allows a device to be identified aboveand 8 are optionally supported, and covered in the
and beyond the Device Class according to thespecification. And more info. click on SAG.
Specification version met, the Manufacturer,Wireless Application Protocol Bearer (WAPB)
product and product version. This could be usefulThis is a profile for carrying Wireless Application
in allowing a PC to identify a connecting device,Protocol, (WAP) over Point-to-Point Protocol over
and download appropriate drivers. It enables similarBluetooth.
applications to those the Plug-and-play specificationComments
allows.These profiles are still not finalised, but are
Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN)currently proposed within the Bluetooth SIG:
This profile provides a standard to access theUnrestricted Digital Information (UDI)
Internet and other dial-up services over Bluetooth.Extended Service discovery profile (ESDP)
The most common scenario is accessing theVideo Conferencing Profile (VCP) : This profile is to
Internet from a laptop by dialing up on a mobilebe compatible with 3G-324M, and support
phone, wirelessly. It is based on SPP, and providesvideoconferencing over a 3G high-speed
for relatively easy conversion of existingconnection.
products, through the many features that it has inMessage Access Profile (MAP)
common with the existing wired serial protocolsCompatibility of products with profiles can be
for the same task. These include the ATverified on the Bluetooth Qualification Program
command set specified in ETSI 07.07, and PPP.website