Glossary of Important Bluetooth Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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A (Back to top)

Ad Hoc Network A network typically created on-the-go. An ad hoc network requires no formal infrastructure and only exists as long as the wireless connection exists.

Active Slave Broadcast (ASB) The ASB logical transport is used to transport L2CAP user traffic to all active devices in the piconet.

Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) The A2DP profile describes how stereo quality audio can be streamed from a media source to a sink. The profile defines two roles of an audio source and sink. A typical usage scenario can be considered as the "walkman" class of media player. The audio source would be the music player and the audio sink is the wireless headset. A2DP defines the protocols and procedures that realize distribution of audio content of high-quality in mono or stereo on ACL channels.

Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP) AVRCP is designed to provide a standard interface to control TVs, Hi-fi equipment, etc. This profile is used to allow a single remote control (or other device) to control all the A/V equipment that a user has access to. AVRCP defines how to control characteristics of streaming media. This includes pausing, stopping, and starting playback and volume control as well as other types of remote control operations.

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Basic Imaging Profile (BIP) BIP defines how an imaging device can be remotely controlled, how an imaging device may print, as well as how an imaging device can transfer images to a storage device. A typical scenario involves a mobile phone being used to control the shutter operation of a digital camera.

Basic Printing Profile (BPP) BPP allows devices to send text, e-mails, vCards, images or other items to printers based on print jobs. It differs from HCRP in that it needs no printer-specific drivers. This makes it more suitable for embedded devices such as mobile phones and digital cameras, which cannot easily be updated with drivers dependent upon printer vendors.

Beacon Train A pattern of reserved slots within a basic or adapted piconet physical channel. Transmissions starting in these slots are used to resynchronize parked devices.

Biaural and Binaural (Compare with Monaural)
A style of Bluetooth headset with speakers for both ears. Typically these offer the user a greater degree of caller focus.

Bluetooth wireless technology A new protocol developed jointly by industry leaders in many fields, including Microsoft, Plantronics, Nokia, Ericsson, IBM, 3Com and Motorola. Bluetooth is still in its infancy, but the design allows for seamless, wireless, automatic connectivity between a large number of devices. Bluetooth headsets are among the first Bluetooth devices available. It allows real-time AV and data communications between Bluetooth enabled hosts. The link protocol is based on time slots.

Bluetooth Baseband The part of the Bluetooth system that specifies or implements the medium access and physical layer procedures to support the exchange of real-time voice, data information streams, and ad hoc networking between Bluetooth enabled devices.

Bluetooth Clock A 28 bit clock internal to a Bluetooth controller sub-system that ticks every 312.5 ms. The value of this clock defines the slot numbering and timing in the various physical channels.

Bluetooth Controller A sub-system containing the Bluetooth RF, baseband, resource controller, link manager, device manager and a Bluetooth HCI.

Bluetooth Enabled Device A Bluetooth enabled device is a device that is capable of short-range wireless communications using the Bluetooth system.

Bluetooth Device Address A 48 bit address used to identify each Bluetooth enabled device. Often this is referred to in technical specifications as BD_ADDR.

BD_ADDR The Bluetooth device address, BD_ADDR, is used to identify a Bluetooth enabled device.

Bluetooth HCI The Bluetooth HCI provides a command interface to the baseband controller and link manager and access to hardware status and control registers. This interface provides a uniform method of accessing the Bluetooth baseband capabilities.

Bluetooth Host A Bluetooth Host is a computing device, peripheral, cellular telephone, access point to Pacific TimeN network or LAN, etc. A Bluetooth Host attached to a Bluetooth Controller may communicate with other Bluetooth Hosts attached to their Bluetooth Controllers as well.

Bluetooth Profiles Bluetooth profiles are general behaviors through which Bluetooth enabled devices communicate with other devices. Bluetooth technology defines a wide range of profiles that describe many different types of use cases. In order to use Bluetooth technology, a device must be able to interpret certain Bluetooth profiles. The profiles define the possible applications.

Bluetooth version 2.0 Bluetooth 2.0 is backward-compatible with 1.1. The main improvement is the introduction of an Enhanced Data Rate for both data and voice packets. This additional speed is obtained by using a different radio transmission. Other advantages are three times faster transmission speed, lower power consumption, and simplification of multi-link capabilities.

Busy Light The Busy Light is an easily visible light which indicates to others when you are on the line. Great for preventing interruptions. Busy Lights are integrated into the headset.

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C (Back to top)

Channel
Either a physical channel or an L2CAP channel, depending on the context.

Circumaural (Compare with Intraural, Supraural)
A style of speaker that covers the entire ear, blocking out all sounds. This is typically not found on headsets (apart from specialist models) but is more common on headphones.

Connectable device
A Bluetooth enabled device in range that periodically listens on its page scan physical channel and will respond to a page on that channel.

Cordless Telephony Profile (CTP)
The CTP defines how a cordless phone can be implemented over a Bluetooth wireless link. This profile can be used for either a dedicated cordless phone or a mobile phone that acts as a cordless phone when in proximity to a base station implementing the CTP. It is anticipated that mobile phones could use a Bluetooth CTP gateway connected to a landline when within the home, and the mobile phone network when out of range.

Coverage Area
The area where two Bluetooth enabled devices can exchange messages with acceptable quality and performance.

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D (Back to top)

Device Discovery A procedure for retrieving the Bluetooth device address, clock, class-of-device field and used page scan mode from discoverable devices.

Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN) DUN provides a standard to access the Internet and other dial-up services over Bluetooth wireless technology. The most common scenario is accessing the Internet from a laptop by dialing up on a mobile phone, wirelessly.

Directional (Contrast with Omni-Directional) Usually applied to a microphone, when it is capable of receiving sounds from only one direction.

Discoverable Device A Bluetooth enabled device in range that periodically listens on an inquiry scan physical channel and will respond to an inquiry on that channel. Discoverable device are normally also connectable.

DC Adapter The adapter provides power for your headset or speaker phone and charges the batteries. Just plug it in, and forget it!

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Encryption Method of encoding data to prevent others from being able to interpret the information.

Extended Service Discovery Profile (ESDP) Method of encoding data to prevent others from being able to interpret the information.

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General Audio/Video Distribution Profile (GAVDP) GAVDP provides the basis for A2DP and VDP, the basis of the systems designed for distributing video and audio streams using Bluetooth wireless technology. In a typical usage scenario, a device such as a "walkman" is used as the initiator and a headset is used as the acceptor.

Generic Access Profile (GAP) GAP provides the basis for all other profiles and defines a consistent means to establish a baseband link between Bluetooth enabled devices. The profile defines operations that are generic and can be used by profiles referring to GAP and by devices implementing multiple profiles. GAP ensures that any two Bluetooth enabled devices, regardless of manufacturer and application, can exchange information via Bluetooth in order to discover what type of applications the devices support. Bluetooth enabled devices not conforming to any other Bluetooth profile must conform to GAP to ensure basic interoperability and co-existence.

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H (Back to top)

Hands-Free Profile (HFP) HFP describes how a gateway device can be used to place and receive calls for a hand-free device. A typical configuration is an automobile using a mobile phone for a gateway device. In the car, the stereo is used for the phone audio and a microphone is installed in the car for sending outgoing audio of the conversation. HFP is also used for a personal computer to act as a speakerphone for a mobile phone in a home or office environment.

Hard Copy Cable Replacement Profile (HCRP) HCRP defines how driver-based printing is accomplished over a Bluetooth wireless link. The profile defines a client and a server role. The client is a device containing a print driver for the server on which the client wishes to print. A common configuration is a client personal computer printing using a driver to a printer acting as a server. This provides a simple wireless alternative to a cable connection between a device and a printer. HCRP does not set a standard regarding the actual communications to the printer, so drivers are required specific to the printer model or range.

Headset A number of headsets require a cell phone to function. Please be sure to verify what components the headset you're looking at requires.

Headset Profile (HSP) The HSP describes how a Bluetooth enabled headset should communicate with a computer or other Bluetooth enabled device such as a mobile phone. When connected and configured, the headset can act as the remote device’s audio input and output interface.

Human Interface Device Profile (HID) The HID profile defines the protocols, procedures and features to be used by Bluetooth enabled HID, such as keyboards, pointing devices, gaming devices, and remote monitoring devices.

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I (Back to top)

Inquiring Device A Bluetooth enabled device that is carrying out the inquiry procedure.

Inquiry A procedure where a Bluetooth device transmits inquiry messages and listens for responses in order to discover the other Bluetooth enabled devices within the coverage area.

Inquiry Scan A procedure where a Bluetooth enabled device listens for inquiry messages received on its inquiry scan physical channel.

Intercom Profile (ICP) Just as your voice can go unheard by others due to other noises, so too can Bluetooth radios go unheard due to other radio interference. This issue is especially a concern as Bluetooth wireless technology uses an unlicensed band for transmissions. Fortunately the technology was designed explicitly to be both a good citizen in these frequencies by not producing unnecessary noise but also to be able to avoid other radio waves. Some common radio technologies which can affect Bluetooth wireless products include microwave ovens and some models of cordless phones.

Interference Information in a stream where each information entity in the stream is bound by a time relationship to previous and successive entities. Isochronous Data Information in a stream where each information entity in the stream is bound by a time relationship to previous and successive entities.

Intraural (Compare with Supraural, Circumaural)
A type of speaker that sits gently in the ear canal.

In-the-EarA style of headset that uses an Intraural speaker. Typical examples are the ear bud style of headphones.

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K (Back to top) Known Device A Bluetooth enabled device for which at least the BD_ADDR is stored.

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L (Back to top)

L2CAP Channel A procedure for establishing a logical connection on L2CAP level.

LMP Pairing A procedure that authenticates two devices and creates a common link key that can be used as a basis for a trusted relationship or a (single) secure connection.

Logical Channel Identical to an L2CAP channel, but deprecated due to an alternative meaning in Bluetooth Version 1.1.

Logical link The lowest architectural level used to offer independent data transport services to clients of the Bluetooth system.

Logical Transport Used in Bluetooth wireless technology to represent commonality between different logical links due to shared acknowledgement protocol and link identifiers.

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M (Back to top) Monaural (Compare with Binaural)
A headset with a single speaker.

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N (Back to top)

Name Discovery A procedure for retrieving the user-friendly name (the Bluetooth enabled device name) of a connectable device.

Noise-canceling Noise-canceling refers to a microphone design which virtually eliminates the transmission of background noise. This inexpensive option can greatly enhance the sound quality of your headset.

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O (Back to top)

Object Exchange (OBEX) Protocol OBEX is a transfer protocol that defines data objects and a communication protocol two devices can use to exchange those objects. OBEX enables applications to work over the Bluetooth protocol stack as well as the IrDA stack. For Bluetooth enabled devices, only connection-oriented OBEX is supported. Three application profiles have been developed using OBEX which include SYNC, FTP and OPP.

Omni-Directional (Contrast with Directional)
Usually applied to a microphone, when it is capable of receiving sounds equally from any direction.

On-the-Ear The most common style of headset hangs from the ear.

Over-the-Head
This style of headset has a headband that goes up and over your head. Typically available in monaural and binaural styles.

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P (Back to top)

Packet Format of aggregated bits that are transmitted on a physical channel.

Page Scan A procedure where a device listens for page messages received on its page scan physical channel.

Paging Device A Bluetooth enabled device that is carrying out the page procedure.

Paired Device A Bluetooth enabled device with which a link key has been exchanged (either before connection establishment was requested or during connecting phase).

Pairing The process of establishing a new relationship between two Bluetooth enabled devices. During this process a link key is exchanged (either before connection establishment was requested or during connecting phase).

Passcode When pairing devices, it is strongly recommended to use a passcode to authenticate incoming connections. Also, in certain connection situations you may desire additional assurance that you are connecting to the device or person you expect. A passcode can normally be any combination of keys (letters or numbers). Do use caution as some devices do not map characters similarly. Passkeys are valid only for the connection and may be different for other devices or users.

Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN) PerSono is a software suite designed to enhance communications over VoIP softphones.

PerSono™ (Plantronics DSP Headsets)
PerSono is a software suite designed to enhance communications over VoIP softphones.

Piconet A collection of devices occupying a shared physical channel where one of the devices is the piconet master and the remaining devices are connected to it.

Piconet Physical Channel A channel that is divided into time slots in which each slot is related to an RF hop frequency. Consecutive hops normally correspond to different RF hop frequencies and occur at a standard hop rate of 1600 hops/s. These consecutive hops follow a pseudo-random hopping sequence, hopping through a 79 RF channel set.

Piconet Slave Any device in a piconet that is not the piconet master, but is connected to the piconet master.

PerSono™ (Plantronics DSP Headsets)
PerSono is a software suite designed to enhance communications over VoIP softphones.

PIN A user-friendly number that can be used to authenticate connections to a device before paring has taken place.

Plantronics The largest manufacturer of Headsets. Plantronics does not sell headsets direct to consumers — only through registered distributors (such as BluetoothStore.com).

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R (Back to top)

Range Area that a Bluetooth enabled radio can cover with signal. This area can be affected by many different factors.

Reversible (Contrast with Convertible)
A reversible headset can be worn with the speaker on either the left or right ear. The headset is designed to be easily adjustable to suit your preference.

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Serial Port Profile (SPP) SPP defines how to set-up virtual serial ports and connect two Bluetooth enabled devices.

Service Discovery Procedures for querying and browsing for services offered by or through another Bluetooth enabled device.

Service Discovery Application Profile (SDAP) SDAP describes how an application should use SDP to discover services on a remote device. SDAP requires that any application be able to find out what services are available on any Bluetooth enabled device it connects to.

Silent Device A Bluetooth enabled device appears as silent to a remote device if it does not respond to inquiries made by the remote device.

SIM Access Profile (SAP) SAP allows devices such as car phones with built in GSM transceivers to connect to a SIM card in a Bluetooth enabled phone. Therefore the car phone itself does not require a separate SIM card.

Standby-Time (Contrast with Talk-Time)
Standby is a mode of operation on a wireless (or cellular) phone that allows it to conserve power while not in use. ‘Stand By Time’ is usually the amount of time that headset system will need between charges - even if no calls are made or received.

Supraural (Compare with Circumaural, Intraural)
A type of speaker that rests on the outside of the ear.

Synchronization Profile (SYNC) The SYNC profile is used in conjunction with GOEP to enable synchronization of calendar and address information (personal information manager (PIM) items) between Bluetooth enabled devices. A common application of this profile is the exchange of data between a PDA and computer.

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Talk-time (Contrast with Standby-Time)
The number of hours you can talk on your headset before it must be recharged.

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V (Back to top)

VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol. This is a technology that allows you to talk to others over the internet, rather than over phone lines.

This glossary is brought to you by the Bluetooth SIG.