Bluetooth has what is called profiles. You need these profiles to perform a particular function. By using the wrong profile, nothing gets done. The more you get to know Bluetooth technology, the less trouble you’ll have the next time you need to control a device.
What Are Bluetooth Profiles?
Bluetooth Profiles are a set of rules that allow the technology to complete a particular task. For example, to connect a pair of headphones to another device, a specific Bluetooth profile (or rules) is used. A different Bluetooth profile is needed to transfer files from one device to another. Here are some of the most commonly used Bluetooth Profiles.
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) – Bluetooth Audio Streaming
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile is the Bluetooth profile that characterizes how multimedia audio is streamed from one device to another. For example, if you have a device such as a stand-alone speaker or a car audio system that uses a remote control, besides using A2DP Bluetooth profile for audio streaming, you’ll also need the Audio/Video Remote Control Profile for these devices to work correctly.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
There’s not much to explain about this Bluetooth profile. This profile is a must if you want your device to be able to transfer files from one device to another.
Device ID Profile (DIP)
This Bluetooth profile identifies a device outside the limits of the Device Class that’s already available. What this profile does is allows things such as the product ID, manufacturer, product version and the version of the Device ID to be identified. This is also the Bluetooth profile you’re going to need so that your computer can recognize a device you’re connecting to. That way the right drivers can be installed.
Hands-Free Profile (HFP)
If you want to go hands-free while driving, this is a Bluetooth profile your device needs to have. This Bluetooth profile is necessary for devices such as mobile phones, headsets, and in-vehicle equipment.
Human Interface Device Profile (HID)
This Bluetooth profile is necessary to provide support for devices such as keyboards, mice, joysticks, indicators. This profile offers a small latency link that doesn’t need large power requirements. You can find this profile in devices such as Wii remotes and PlayStation controllers.
LAN Access Profile (LAP)
Without this Bluetooth profile, devices can’t access WAN, LAN or the Internet that count on a physical connection to the network. If you don’t see the LAP profile, you’ll definitely see the PAN Bluetooth profile since this is what it’s been replaced with.
Conclusion
There are various Bluetooth profiles that are available, but you’ll probably only want to read about the ones your devices have. If you’re going to pair your headphones with another device, you’ll need to know if they share the same profile to make that happen. Which Bluetooth profiles interest you the most?
