2.2.1 Transparent UART Connection

Perform the following the steps to establish a UART transparent connection using the Microchip Bluetooth Data application:

  1. Download and install the Microchip Bluetooth Data application for iOS or Android – Available on the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) if not already installed.
  2. Power on the RNBD350 module by connecting the RNBD350 evaluation board using a USB Type-C cable to the host PC.
  3. Open the terminal emulator software. In this scenario, it is Tera Term.
  4. Configure the serial port settings (see below).
    Figure 2-9. Serial Terminal Recommended Settings
  5. Turn ON mobile Bluetooth and tap BLE UART in the Microchip Bluetooth Data application on the mobile device.
    Figure 2-10. Microchip Bluetooth Data Application Interface
  6. Tap PIC32CXBZ.
    Figure 2-11. Microchip Bluetooth Data Application BLE UART Interface
  7. Click Scan to initiate the scanning.
    Figure 2-12. Microchip Bluetooth Data Application BLE UART Scan List
  8. By default, the RNBD350 module is programmed to behave in the Data mode where the device advertises during power-up. The device that advertises the Bluetooth Low Energy packets is called the peripheral device. Each peripheral device has a unique advertising name. The mobile acts as a Bluetooth Low Energy central device, scans the surrounding Bluetooth Low Energy advertisement and lists all the available devices in the scan list.
  9. Select the RNBD350_XXXX from the scan list. The central device (mobile) initiates a connection request to the peripheral device (RNBD350 device).
    Note: XXXX means the last two bytes of the device address.
  10. Upon connection, the device firmware updates the connection details in the serial terminal.
    Figure 2-13. Displaying Log on Serial Terminal
  11. After the successful Bluetooth Low Energy connection, tap the Settings icon to get the details about the firmware version.
    Figure 2-14. Microchip Bluetooth Data Application Settings Interface
  12. The following figure illustrates the details of the firmware version.
    Figure 2-15. Microchip Bluetooth Data Application Settings Interface to Read Firmware Revision