XG100WM User Manual
9-5
Janam Technologies LLC
Bluetooth virtual COM ports overview
Some programs can connect only though a serial (COM) port. This can be true even if the device itself is
Bluetooth-enabled. To make it possible for such programs to use a Bluetooth connection, you must set up a
virtual COM port. Once created, this virtual port can be used like any other COM port. You can use a virtual
COM port for programs that, for example, connect to a GPS receiver, or to connect to a Bluetooth enabled
printer.
Here are some examples of how to use incoming and outgoing virtual COM ports.
Outgoing COM port: You have a program on your device that cannot use Bluetooth directly but can print to a
serial (COM) port. You can create a Bluetooth partnership with a Bluetooth-enabled printer, and then set up
an outgoing COM port (for example, COM 1). The program can then send print data to COM 1, which reaches
the Bluetooth-enabled printer.
Incoming COM port: You have a Bluetooth-enabled GPS receiver, and your device has a GPS tracking
program that expects to receive GPS data over a serial (COM) port. You can create a Bluetooth partnership
with the Bluetooth-enabled GPS receiver, and then set up an incoming COM port (for example, COM 2). The
GPS program can then send data to COM 2, which reaches the GPS receiver.
Even if both your device and another Bluetooth-enabled device contain programs that need to use serial ports
to communicate, you can set up the appropriate virtual incoming and outgoing COM ports on each device so
that the programs can to use a Bluetooth connection to communicate.
To set up an incoming Bluetooth COM port
1.
Make sure that your device is currently connected to the other device via Bluetooth.
2.
Tap Start menu > Settings > Connections tab.
3.
Tap Bluetooth > COM ports tab.
4.
Tap New Incoming Port.
5.
Select a numbered COM port from the list. If the port cannot be created, it is in use. Select a different
numbered port.
6.
To use this COM port to communicate only with devices with which your device has a Bluetooth
partnership, select the Secure Connection check box.
7.
Tap Finish.
