Bluetooth: Operation and Use

Course 104

Summary:

This five-day course is a comprehensive description and analysis of Bluetooth wireless networking, based on Bluetooth specification 4.0, which includes the alternate MAC/PHY (AMP) and low energy (LE) integration. Instruction includes the Bluetooth basic rate (BR) and enhanced data rate (EDR) systems, along with both LE and IEEE 802.11 AMP communication methods. Participants begin by studying Bluetooth signal propagation characteristics, modulation, packet structure, data and audio processing, and error control. Performance comparisons among BR, EDR, LE, and 802.11 AMP communication methods are given. The role of the Bluetooth link manager in establishing a connection and implementing security and encryption measures are then discussed. Various higher layers in the Bluetooth protocol stack are examined such as packet segmentation and reassembly, service discovery, the host controller interface, and the implementation of application profiles. The Bluetooth qualification program is discussed. Finally, the ability of Bluetooth to coexist with other wireless networks in the 2.4 GHz band is analyzed.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completing the course, the participant will be able to:

• Calculate the range of a Bluetooth radio over various signal paths
• Explain the Bluetooth modulation and channel access methods
• Describe Bluetooth packet structure and error control options
• Describe authentication and encryption methods available with Bluetooth
• Explain how a Bluetooth device searches for other Bluetooth devices
• Describe how a piconet is established and master-slave interaction occurs
• Explain how the link is managed and how user date is transported
• Understand the differences between BR, EDR, 802.11 AMP, and LET protocols
• Show how Bluetooth authentication and encryption operate
• Discuss the role of a Bluetooth profile
• Understand the Bluetooth qualification program
• Analyze Bluetooth’s ability to coexist with other wireless networks

Target Audience:

Professionals who are developing or implementing high-performance wireless systems will benefit from the detailed analysis of the Bluetooth BR, EDR, LET, and 802.11 AMP specifications, including range calculations, modulation and packet structures, and how Bluetooth devices find each other and establish a communication link among them. Designers will gain insight into how device authentication, encryption, and other security measures are implemented in Bluetooth, and how a Bluetooth device communicates with its host. The strengths and weaknesses of Bluetooth against other wireless network protocols, and the interference they cause to each other, will be especially useful to those who must select one or more wireless methods best suited for their specific applications.

Outline:

Day One

Introduction
• Differences between wired and wireless communications • Categories of information transmission • Overview of short range wireless networks • Bluetooth usage models and protocol stack
2.4 GHz Signal Propagation and Range Estimation
• Review of decibels • Link budget equation and path loss model • Calculating maximum range • Partition attenuation and primary ray tracing • Eavesdropping vulnerabilities • Multipath characteristics and mitigation
The Bluetooth Radio (BR/EDR & LET)
• Frequency hopping spread spectrum operation • Bluetooth basic rate and enhanced data rate modulation • Low energy technology modulation • Channel set for BR/EDR and LET signals • Required radio performance • Performance analysis of a typical Bluetooth radio

Day Two

The Bluetooth Radio (802.11 AMP)
• Quadrature amplitude modulation • Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing operation • Direct sequence spread spectrum operation • Channel set for IEEE 802.11 signals • Operation of the IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n AMP radio
Baseband Signaling Part 1 (BR/EDR)
• Master/slave timing • Error control • Addressing methods • Packet structure • Setting frequency hop parameters • Logical transport mechanisms • Bluetooth audio • Throughput in perfect and imperfect channels
Baseband Signaling Part 2 (BR/EDR)
• Operational state diagram • Paging and inquiry processes • Sniff, hold, and park modes • Scatternet operation

Day Three

Baseband Signaling Part 3 (LET)
• Operational state diagram • Addressing • Packet structure • Operation of the advertising, initiating, and connecting devices • Data channel selection and packet exchange • Data channel control
Baseband Signaling Part 4 (802.11 AMP)
• Distributed coordination function and timing • 802.11 frame structure • Management, control, and data frames • 802.11 throughput • Operational state diagram • Service access points • Bluetooth 802.11 AMP protocol adaptation layer
Link Management (BR/EDR)
• Link connection and detachment • Link management protocol (LMP) packets • Managing sniff, hold, and park modes • Transmit power control and quality of service • Link setup using LMP packets

Day Four

Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP)
• L2CAP overview and purpose • Packet segmentation and reassembly • Protocol multiplexing and channel definitions • L2CAP signaling and channel setup
Host Controller Interface
• HCI overview and purpose • Command packet structure • Command groups and examples • Event packet structure • Event groups and examples • HCI/USB interface
Bluetooth Security
• Security overview • Link key generation and initialization • Combination key derivation • Authentication • Encryption • Filtering device access • LET security mechanism • Overview of 802.11 robust security network (RSN)

Day Five

Applications
• Profile overview • Service discovery protocol • Generic access profile (GAP) • Headset profile (HSP) • Qualification and testing • Development tools • Hardware solutions
Coexistence
• Interference modeling • Bluetooth-on-Bluetooth interference • Coexisting with Wi-Fi: separated nodes • Coexisting with Wi-Fi: collocated nodes • Examples and throughput analysis

Subject Areas Covered

Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Other Personal Area Networks

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