Bluetooth® Classic for wireless voice and audio

Bluetooth® Classic for wireless voice and audio

Primarily used for wireless headphones and portable speakers, audio quality is a main performance criterion for Bluetooth® Classic and needs thorough testing

Bluetooth® Classic is implemented in most mobile phones and laptops to enable wireless headset connectivity or connectivity between mobile phones and other devices for synchronization. Most new cars already offer Bluetooth® enabled in-car entertainment (ICE) systems and handsfree calling systems.

The unique feature set of Bluetooth® Classic

Bluetooth® is a frequency hopping spread spectrum system that works in the internationally available ISM bands at 2.4 GHz. The initial goal of Bluetooth® Classic is a data connection up to 700 kbit/s in an ad hoc network. The data connection is based on a protocol stack profile such as audio, file transfer or streaming that allows a complete single-device design. Bluetooth® specification 2.0 implemented an enhanced data rate (EDR) of up to 3 Mbit/s.

Basic rateExtended data rate
Spectrum 2.4 GHz ISM band 2.4 GHz ISM band
Number of channels 79 79
Channel spacing 1 MHz 1 MHz
Interference avoidance Adaptive frequency hopping spread spectrum (1600 hops/s over max. 79 channels) Adaptive frequency hopping spread spectrum (1600 hops/s over max. 79 channels)
Error detection/correction FEC FEC
Advertizing Advertizing sequence Advertizing sequence
Audio support YES (advanced audio distribution profile, handsfree profile, handsfree audio gateway profile) YES (advanced audio distribution profile, handsfree profile, handsfree audio gateway profile)
Header modulation GFSK (160 kHz deviation) GFSK (160 kHz deviation)
Data modulation GFSK (160 kHz deviation) π/4-DQPSK or 8DPSK
Max. data rate 1 Mbit/s 3 Mbit/s

Your Bluetooth® Classic test challenges

Developers of Bluetooth® enabled devices use ready-to-go chipsets or modules for easy integration of Bluetooth® connectivity into their device. However, each device design is slightly different. There are several factors in the final design that may influence the overall communications performance, such as antenna design, power supplies, other wireless communications chips or the final housing.

Therefore, it is necessary to test each Bluetooth® enabled device to verify the required performance and to ensure conformance with Bluetooth® SIG standards and regulatory requirements, especially since Bluetooth® operates in the unlicensed spectrum and has to interwork with other radio technologies using the same spectrum. Testing of Bluetooth® RF performance and quality can be quite easy.

Rohde-Schwarz-Bluetooth-Classic-audio-testing-signaling-mode.jpg
Test setup for Bluetooth® Classic audio testing in signaling mode with the R&S®CMW wireless communication tester

Benefits of Rohde & Schwarz Bluetooth® test solutions

  • Test and measurement solutions from Rohde & Schwarz support Bluetooth® basic rate, EDR and LE in line with Bluetooth® core specifications v1.2, 2.0, 2.1, 3.0+HS, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 5 and 5.1. for design, certification and production
  • The R&S®CMW wireless communications test platform supports Bluetooth® up to version 5.1. It covers the Bluetooth® Classic signaling function and all Bluetooth® LE transmitter and receiver tests as specified by Bluetooth® SIG. In addition, dirty transmitter tests and application testing are supported
  • Bluetooth® test functions are also available for all major Rohde & Schwarz test instruments, including signal generators and signal analyzers. The test instruments support Bluetooth® as well as other non-cellular standards and all major cellular standards in one box

Related resources

White paper: From cable replacement to the IoT – Bluetooth 5.1

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Application note: Bluetooth® adaptive frequency hopping on an R&S®CMW

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Application brochure: Bluetooth® testing with the R&S®CMW wideband radio communication tester

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Application note: Advanced Bluetooth® RF tests with R&S®CMWrun

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Application card: Conducted multi-standard in-device coexistence testing

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