Bluetooth Architecture Overview

Writer: Esteban Alcorn

Technical Reviewers: Jason Farmer, Vasu Pai, Don Dillard
Published: March 2011
Applies To: Windows Embedded Compact 7

Abstract
Describes the Bluetooth layered architecture as implemented on Windows Embedded Compact 7, and
how it relates to the software implemented on Bluetooth controllers.
The layered architecture of the Host Protocol Stack
The supported Bluetooth Profiles
The Host Controller Interface that connects the Host to a Bluetooth controller

© 2011 Microsoft. All rights reserved.

Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3

Bluetooth Host...................................................................................................................................... 5
Bluetooth Stack................................................................................................................................. 5
Bluetooth Profile Component ............................................................................................................. 7
Bluetooth-Enabled Applications...................................................................................................... 8
Profiles .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Bluetooth Stack Extensions............................................................................................................ 9
Windows Embedded Compact Component ..................................................................................... 10

HCI Transport Layer ........................................................................................................................... 11

Bluetooth Controller............................................................................................................................ 11

Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 12

Additional Resources ......................................................................................................................... 12

© 2011 Microsoft. All rights reserved.

 Bluetooth Architecture Overview 3

Introduction
This article provides an overview of the layered Bluetooth architecture for Windows Embedded
Compact 7. It describes the layers of this architecture and how they relate to each other, so that
embedded OS designers and developers can identify the components that are referenced in the
Bluetooth (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=209918) documentation for Windows Embedded
Compact 7.
Each layer is a collection of components that include protocol implementations, APIs, applications, and
services. The description of each layer includes its contents, purpose, and location in relation to the
Bluetooth stack. These layers are divided into three primary components.
The following table describes these components from the highest to lowest level layers.

Component Description

Bluetooth Host Includes implementations of the core Bluetooth

protocols: the Bluetooth stack and the high-
level layers of the Bluetooth architecture, such
as APIs and profiles.

Host Controller Interface (HCI) Transport Layer Delivers data between the Bluetooth host and
the Bluetooth controller.

Bluetooth Controller A Bluetooth device that implements the lowest

levels of the Bluetooth architecture.

Windows Embedded Compact 7 provides core implementations of the Bluetooth host and HCI transport
layer that are compatible with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR compliant Bluetooth controllers.
Figure 1 below displays the location of each layer in the Bluetooth architecture for Windows Embedded
Compact 7.

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 Bluetooth Architecture Overview 4

Figure 1: Bluetooth layers

© 2011 Microsoft. All rights reserved.

 Bluetooth Architecture Overview 5

Bluetooth Host
The Bluetooth host contains the logical layers of the Bluetooth architecture. These layers include the
core implementation of the Bluetooth stack and the layers that support and extend the functionality of
the Bluetooth stack.
The following table describes the components of the Bluetooth host.

Component Description

Bluetooth Stack The Windows Embedded Compact

implementation of the core Bluetooth protocols.
These layers are based on the Bluetooth 2.1 +
EDR protocol stack specification described on
the Bluetooth SIG (Special Interest Group)
website
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=182073).

Bluetooth Profile Component Bluetooth profiles, stack extensions, and

applications designed to extend the functionality
of the Bluetooth stack. Includes layers
implemented by Microsoft. You can also add
your own layers to this component.

Windows Embedded Compact Component The basic layers that support application
development over the Bluetooth stack and
provide the Bluetooth stack with the most
common functionality.
Networking and communications protocols and
APIs used by the Bluetooth stack and
Bluetooth-enabled applications. Not used
exclusively for Bluetooth functionality.

Bluetooth Stack
In this article, the term "Bluetooth stack" (also known as "host protocol stack") refers to the Windows
Embedded Compact implementation of the Bluetooth protocol stack. The Bluetooth protocol stack is a
layered set of protocols that define the core Bluetooth functionality and is managed by the Bluetooth
Special Interest Group (SIG). The Bluetooth stack is a Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR compliant stack. For
information on the specification for the Bluetooth protocol stack, see the Bluetooth SIG website
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=182073).

© 2011 Microsoft. All rights reserved.

 Bluetooth Architecture Overview 6

On Windows Embedded Compact 7, the Bluetooth stack implements the host controller interface
(HCI) and the host stack portion of the Bluetooth protocol stack. Each layer of the Bluetooth stack
implements a unique protocol or service. For information on adding the Bluetooth stack to your OS, see
Bluetooth Catalog Items and Sysgen Variables (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=209918). The
following table describes the layers of the Bluetooth stack in Windows Embedded Compact 7.

Layer Description

COM Port Emulation An API that supports virtual COM ports over
RFCOMM channels.

Service Discovery Protocol (SDP) Manages the discovery and publishing of

supported Bluetooth services and parameters
between devices. Used to discover and
advertise Bluetooth services, and to verify the
compatibility of those services. Bound to the
Logical Link Control and Adaption Protocol
(L2CAP) layer.

Radio Frequency Communications (RFCOMM) Emulates RS-232 serial ports over the L2CAP
Serial Port Emulation layer. This protocol is based on the TS07.10
specification at the ETSI (European
Telecommunications Standards Institute)
website
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=209939).
Includes the following functionality:
Base for COM port emulation
Base for derived point-to-point protocols
Implements multiplexing
Implements flow control
Carrier for attention (AT) commands
Transport layer for Object Exchange
protocol (OBEX) over Bluetooth

Bluetooth Network Encapsulation Protocol Encapsulates network packets into a standard

(BNEP) format so they can be transmitted over the
L2CAP layer. The Personal Area Network
(PAN) profile uses BNEP to provide networking
capabilities over a Bluetooth connection.

Logical Link Control and Adaption Protocol Communicates directly with the HCI. Converts
(L2CAP) data from high-level layers into a format that is

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 Bluetooth Architecture Overview 7

Layer Description
supported by lower-level layers of a Bluetooth
controller.
Provides the following services:
Packet SAR (Segmentation and
Reassembly), which converts packets from
high-level layers into packets supported by
the Baseband layer
Protocol multiplexing
Group abstraction, which maps groups of
addresses from high-level layers to
piconets, which are supported by the
Baseband layer

Host Controller Interface (HCI) Provides the Bluetooth stack with access to a
Bluetooth controller. An interface for Bluetooth
hardware that is responsible for controller
management, link establishment, and
maintenance.
Has direct access to the L2CAP layer.
Communicates with a Bluetooth controller
through the HCI transport layer.

Bluetooth Profile Component

The Bluetooth profile component contains the application layer and the layers for extending the
functionality of the Bluetooth stack. This component contains layers that are implemented by Microsoft
and all of the third-party layers of the Bluetooth architecture.
The following table describes the types of layers of the Bluetooth profile component.

Type Description

Bluetooth-Enabled Applications Applications that implement Bluetooth

functionality. Includes Microsoft and third-party
applications.

Profiles Wireless interface specifications that describe

possible Bluetooth applications and define how
Bluetooth devices communicate. A number of
Bluetooth profiles are available on Windows

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 Bluetooth Architecture Overview 8

Type Description
Embedded Compact 7. You can also create
your own profiles.

Stack Extensions Provides Bluetooth-enabled applications with

access to the layers of the Bluetooth stack. You
can extend the functionality of the Bluetooth
stack by providing your applications with access
to additional profiles.

Bluetooth-Enabled Applications
The primary way for an application to use Bluetooth technology is through the Winsock interface, which
exposes the RFCOMM layer to the application. A Bluetooth-enabled application must then interface
with certain profiles to support specific types of Bluetooth activity. For example, an application must
interface with the human interface device (HID) profile to use a wireless keyboard over a Bluetooth
connection.

Profiles
A Bluetooth profile is a specification that describes how devices must use Bluetooth protocols to
implement a particular task. These descriptions detail how Bluetooth devices must communicate when
an application implements specific functionality. For specifications on Bluetooth profiles, see the
Bluetooth SIG website (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=182073).
The following table describes the profiles that are supported by Windows Embedded Compact 7.

Profile Description

Generic Access Profile (GAP) Defines the generic requirements for detecting
and establishing a connection to a Bluetooth
device. All profiles are based on GAP.
A core profile that is available by default.

Generic Object Exchange Profile (GOEP) Defines the requirements for OBEX usage
models.
A core profile that is available by default.

Serial Port Profile (SPP) Defines the requirements for virtual serial port
connections over the RFCOMM layer. Each
serial port connection can connect two
Bluetooth-enabled devices.

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 Bluetooth Architecture Overview 9

Profile Description
A core profile that is available by default.

Personal Area Network (PAN) Defines standard IP-based network services

over Bluetooth. Permits BNEP to run over a
Bluetooth connection using Network Layer (OSI
model) protocols.
Defines the following roles and services:
PAN User (PANU)
Network Access Point (NAT)
Group Ad-Hoc Network (GN)

Human Interface Device (HID) Defines communication with wireless HID

devices over a Bluetooth connection.

Headset Profile (HSP) Defines procedures that support interoperability

between a headset and a mobile device, such
as a cellular phone, that the headset controls
through AT commands. Depends on SPP.

Object Push Profile (OPP) Defines how to exchange small data objects,
such as calling card exchanges, between
Bluetooth devices using the OBEX protocol.
Depends on GOEP.

Hands-Free Profile (HFP) Defines how to use a mobile device, such as a

cellular phone, in conjunction with a hands-free
device over a Bluetooth link, so that the hands-
free device can act as an audio input or output
device for the mobile device. Depends on SPP.

File Transfer Profile (FTP) Defines how to transfer data and manipulate
objects on or with a peer Bluetooth device.
Depends on GOEP.

Bluetooth Stack Extensions

You can create a Bluetooth stack extension layer that implements built-in data structures for accessing
the layers of the Bluetooth stack. A stack extension layer exposes an interface from the Bluetooth stack
to your Bluetooth-enabled applications.

© 2011 Microsoft. All rights reserved.

 Bluetooth Architecture Overview 10

Windows Embedded Compact Component

The Windows Embedded Compact component contains the layers of the Bluetooth host that support
Bluetooth functionality but are not used exclusively by Bluetooth. These layers contain APIs and
implement protocols for applications to interface with the Bluetooth stack. The layers in the Windows
Embedded Compact component are some of the basic layers required to develop Bluetooth-enabled
applications. The layers of the Windows Embedded Compact component also provide the Bluetooth
stack and Bluetooth profiles with the networking and communications functionality of the OS.
The following table describes the layers of the Windows Embedded Compact component.

Layer Description

Object Exchange (OBEX) A communications protocol used to exchange

binary objects between devices while using
minimal resources. Works over Bluetooth and is
defined by the Infrared Data Association (IrDA).
Is the base for many high-level Bluetooth
profiles such as Generic Object Exchange
Profile (GOEP), Object Push Profile (OPP), and
File Transfer Profile (FTP).
For more information on OBEX, see Object
Exchange Protocol Reference
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=209918).

Windows Sockets (Winsock) An API that defines how software accesses

networking services such as TCP/IP. Facilitates
communication between networking
applications, the TCP/IP, and Bluetooth
protocol stacks. One of the primary interfaces
for Bluetooth application development.
For more information on Winsock, see Windows
Sockets
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=209918).

Transport Driver Interface Layer (TDI) An adaption layer for Winsock-based APIs. It is
used by Winsock to communicate with the
transport stack. This layer enables Winsock
APIs to access the callback mechanism that is
built into the Bluetooth stack.

Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) An API for communicating with network
interface cards. Used by the PAN profile.
For information on NDIS, see Network Drivers

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 Bluetooth Architecture Overview 11

Layer Description
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=209918).

HCI Transport Layer

The Bluetooth host and Bluetooth controller communicate through an intermediate layer called the HCI
transport layer. This layer (also known as the host controller transport layer) contains a set of transport
drivers that abstract and transfer data between the HCI layer of the Bluetooth host and the Bluetooth
controller. The transport drivers implement communication between the Bluetooth Host and Bluetooth
controller with a small set of functions that send and receive commands, data packets, and events.
The following table describes the transport drivers that make up the HCI transport layer.

Driver Description

Bluetooth Universal Transport An intermediate transport driver that detects and loads the appropriate
Manager (BthUniv) built-in or third-party transport driver.

Built-In Transport Drivers Built-in transport drivers that are supported by the HCI transport layer.
The following list displays the supported transport drivers that can be
found in
%_WINCEROOT%\Public\Common\OAK\Drivers\Bluetooth\Transports.
USB – Bthusb.dll
UART – Bthuart.dll
BCSP – Bthcsr.dll

For more information on the HCI transport layer, see HCI Transport Layer Reference
(http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=209918).

Bluetooth Controller
The Bluetooth controller is a Bluetooth device such as a USB dongle. The Bluetooth controller
implements the lowest level protocols from the Bluetooth protocol stack, including the physical layer
and radio transceiver. This component is not provided by Windows Embedded Compact 7. For the
specifications of these protocols, see the Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR protocol stack specification at the
Bluetooth SIG website (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=182073).
The Bluetooth controller receives commands from the Bluetooth host through the HCI transport layer.

© 2011 Microsoft. All rights reserved.

 Bluetooth Architecture Overview 12

The following table describes the layers of the Bluetooth controller.

Layer Description

Link Manager Protocol (LMP) Manages logical link establishment between

Bluetooth devices, which includes
authentication and encryption. Creates,
updates, and removes logical links and logical
transports, and updates parameters for physical
links to Bluetooth devices.

Baseband (Baseband) A link controller that forms the physical layer of

the Bluetooth architecture. Establishes and
manages the physical radio frequency (RF) link
between Bluetooth units that form a piconet.

Radio A Bluetooth RF transceiver. Transmits data to

and from the Baseband. This layer is the lowest
level of the Bluetooth architecture.

Conclusion
The Bluetooth architecture for Windows Embedded Compact 7 is a layered architecture that consists of
two primary components that are implemented by Microsoft: the Bluetooth host and the HCI transport
layer. The Bluetooth host contains the logical layers such as the Bluetooth stack, Bluetooth profile
component, and Windows Embedded Compact component. The HCI transport layer transfers data
between the Bluetooth host and Bluetooth controller. The Bluetooth controller is the hardware
component of the Bluetooth architecture and is not provided by Microsoft. The Bluetooth controller
contains the physical layers of the Bluetooth architecture, such as the LMP, Baseband, and Radio
layers.

Additional Resources
Windows Embedded website (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=183524)

© 2011 Microsoft. All rights reserved.

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