It's smart to add Bluetooth to dumb devices

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team May 27, 2005

Brainboxes has developed a new Bluetooth serial port adapter to enable "dumb" devices with RS232 serial connectors to connect wirelessly with other devices.

Brainboxes has developed a new Bluetooth serial port adapter to enable "dumb" devices with RS232 serial connectors to connect wirelessly with other devices.

The compact Brainboxes BL-819 is ideal for printers, scanners and other devices as it brings Bluetooth wireless technology to devices without the need to install any software.

The BL-819 Bluetooth v1.1 qualified adapter is a Class 2 device, operating at 2dBm, which gives the device a maximum operating range of up to 30m.

A compact and very user friendly form factor with a footprint of only 75 x 34mm, and a weight of 24g means that the Bluetooth adapter can be applied to a wide variety of peripherals.

Although the 9-pin RS232 based BL-819 adapter does not require any software installation, the device can be easily configured via Windows or Linux systems via three simple and easy to use configuration utilities, without the need for a specific configuration application.

On the software front Brainboxes has released its all-new Pocket PC software for supplying GAP, SDAP, SPP, FTP, OPP, LAP (Client), DUN (Client), PAN (Client), HID and Active Synch.

The slick new interface is not only pleasing to view but also intuitive to use.

The new Brainboxes software works with Microsoft's Pocket PC 2000, PPC 2002 and PPC 2003 and combined with the Bluetooth Class 1 BL-565 CompactFlash Card enables quicker, clearer and smoother connections.

Eamonn Walsh, Managing Director of Brainboxes commented: "Printers in particular those used in industrial or business applications are an ideal application for Bluetooth, but one in which the technology has been relatively slow to take off".

Walsh continued: "With the launch of the Brainboxes BL-819 users can now bring the advantages of wireless connectivity to a wide range of devices without the need for complicated configuration or software installation".