www.rovingnetworks.com
2
RN -BT -SR L-U M- 1.0
OVERVIEW
Roving Networks offers a variety of Bluetooth serial adapters with different form factors and powering options (see Table 1).
These adapters enable wireless connection to any legacy serial port and support bi-directional RS-232 or RS-422 signaling
at a rate of up to 464 Kbps. To create a wireless cable replacement solution, simply attach the adapter to your device's
RS-232 or EIA-232/422 port and connect to it over Bluetooth. The transmission range is up to 330 feet (100 meters),
depending on environmental factors.
You can use these adapters as Bluetooth master or slave devices. The serial port profile (SPP) connection to the adapter
appears via a virtual COM interface. Data is sent and received on the client side as if a serial cable was connected to a real
COM port on the client.
You can also use the adapters in cable replacement mode in which two Roving Networks’ Bluetooth devices are paired
using configuration switches. The USB-to-Bluetooth (RN-USB-X) dongle has pairing switches and you can use it with the
Bluetooth adapter to create a wireless connection to a PC without using the PC’s Bluetooth stack. For more information on
cable replacement, refer to the
Bluetooth
Cable Replacement Application Note
on the Roving Networks website at
http://www.rovingnetworks.com/Support_Overview
.
Table 1. Bluetooth Serial Adapter Hardware Interfaces
Hardware Interface
RN-240
RN-422
RN-270
RN-274
RN-220XP
RS-232
✔
✔
✔
RS-422
✔
✔
POWERING THE SERIAL ADAPTER
The Bluetooth serial adapters are powered using either rechargeable batteries, an external power cable, or using pin 9 of a
DB9 connector, depending on the adapter.
RN-240 & RN-422 Adapters
The RN-240 and RN-422 adapters are powered using either the DC power plug or via pin 9 of a DB9 connector.
RN-270, RN-274 & RN-220-XP Adapters
The RN-270 and RN-274 adapters are powered using two rechargeable AAA batteries, an external power cable, or using
pin 9 on a DB9 connector. The adapter has a red button on it’s top, which is a soft on/off switch. The adapter must have
batteries installed to function, even if the device is powered externally.
The RN-220XP adapter is powered with a LiPoly battery. The adapter has a toggle on/off switch.
WARNING:
Do NOT use alkaline batteries when connecting the external power cable or applying power on pin 9 of the
DB9 connector.
