Need general info about bluetooth.

[bjaii]

Hi, I am aiming to build a robot that can be R/C-ed by bluetooth (from scratch). I was wondering do I have to buy the expensive bluetooth module (around 60$) or can I get the bluetooth signal via a simple bluetooth USB dongle (2-5$). As I know, bluetooth are two ways devices =T (I guess?). So can i Just use the cheap usb dongles and I can have my logic signal, I plan to take this signal, treat it on Arduino which leads to a H-bridge and then it controls the motors.

[mfortuna]

I am using a $40 USB dongle:

http://store.irobot.com/product/index.j ... age=family

and a BAM module:

http://www.elementdirect.com/product_in ... c165923077

One thing to beware of is some USB dongles are class 2 (30 feet) which means they may not work well in a medium to large home.

[educational-robots]

There will be some cost to you to purchase a product out-of-the-box, but the prices aren't too bad. I worked with the rootooth, bam and firefly for the device side. And on the pc side, I usually look for a device that uses "toshiba bluetooth stack". Toshiba stack has really easy com port manager that allows me to choose my own com port for my applications. Prices are coming down.

[pomonabill221]

Question about bluetooth devices...
I have a few wireless keyboards that have their respective receivers that plug into a usb port.
Could these receivers be used for 560 communication?
Can I salvage (repurpose) the transceiver in the wireless mouse/keyboard and install it in the 560?
Or are these particular parts "branded" to only function with the manuf. drivers? IE... logitech, microsoft?

[mfortuna]

Are you sure these keyboards are Bluetooth? If so, they need to support serial over bluetooth which is probably not built in.

[vic7767]

The keyboard and mouse bluetooth are class II devices and will only work in a 3 meter (10 ft) range.

[pomonabill221]

Rats! Your correct! Oh well... I just had the thought....
I noticed the bluetooth transciever that has been mentioned around here (bluesm1 I believe from sparkfun), is no longer available.
I have little to no knowledge about bluetooth, and the different boards that are around...
For just communicating between the 560 and my laptop, what should I look for in bluetooth specs.? I have seen from cheap to expensive, and other than range, don't know what the differences are.
Could I pick someones brain about this? I have been reading, but the link for the adapter says no longer available, and sparkfun has many others... just don't know what to look for.
Specifically, I would like about 30foot range, not interested in anything like a camera (yet), and just want to monitor the bots sensors while it is working, and when it is charging.
I can get the 5volts, or 3 volts with level translation from/to the bot's SCI. I will try and stuff it in a space inside the bot for permanent installation as well.
In this thread, a Toshiba stack is mentioned... is this similar to how a network stack is configured?
I will research this further on my own, but I was wondering what others have had experience with.
Thanks!

[pomonabill221]

For instance... I found this on newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 07R02P4856
I know it is the part that is at the computer, I just need the board in the bot now?

[vic7767]

Here's the one I use to install in the Neato: http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10268

[pomonabill221]

Thanks Vic! hhmmm... with this tx, can I use one of the dongles that newegg sells in the laptop? I imagine that a wireless router will not work though? Totally different protocol?

[pomonabill221]

I'm taking a look at sparkfun's bluetooth tutorial now... good info (for me... a bluetooth noobe!)

[vic7767]

Look for a Class 1 bluetooth dongle. Class one is good for 100 meters (300 feet).

[pomonabill221]

Will do. I looked at SF tutorial (lots of good info), and some of their BT modules (including the one that you have).
They are a little pricey for me, being unemployed, but I am getting the drift of what I need, and what is available.
Thanks for your help and suggestions!

[pomonabill221]

Well I decided on the Bluesmirf silver (I know... not class 1 but still has about 35-50 foot range, and my place isn't that large), but the usb dongle is out of stock, so I guess I will wait a while and get them both when the dongle is back in stock.
Bluetooth isn't that complicated, once you know the flavors of parts available, and what they can do.
I almost got just the modem, but would have to add a vreg and level matching resistors for the 3.3 volt logic levels to bot's 5 volt, and figured the hastle of doing that was worth the extra 10 bucks, plus it is on one board.

[vic7767]

Here's a low cost USB bluetooth: http://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-v2-0-Cl ... lass+1+usb

[pomonabill221]

Thanks Vic!
I read the reviews (2) and one said that it wasn't a class 1, BUT he was using it with his bluetoothe headphones and said the max distance was 15 feet. Another review said it is not a class 1, but he doesn't qualify his opinion.
I wrote the seller to find out what the differences are as he has several dongles.
Thanks for the link!
I took a look at what else he has (all prices are real low!!).

[pomonabill221]

DANG!!!! there are SOOOO many choices, and the reviews aren't all that good on most of them! They also don't all say what range they have, so it is hard to tell if it is class 1 or 2, and some reviewers even say that it is advertised as class1 but can't get more than 20 feet....
Looks like it's going to be a larger search than I first thought!
I will just keep looking and reading....
Thanks for your input! At least this gives me a starting point!
Does anyone have the $10 dongle that sparkfun sells (and is currently out of right now)?

[pomonabill221]

Just to update this..
I received my bluetooth dongles, and the modem, and have tested them out and the link works!
NOW I need to install in the bot.
I posted more in the thread:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15488&start=40
so to prevent double posting, I will update that thread.
Thanks to all for your help and suggestions! As always... this forum is very helpful!