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Using the Socket Bluetooth card 8510-00159 as an Internet modem

CESD|200219

Applies To

  • HPC2000
  • Windows CE .net 4.2
  • Socket Bluetooth Card 8510-00159(g)

Overview

This article discusses how to use the Socket Bluetooth card model 8510-00159G as an internet modem (tethering) with Windows CE for Handheld PC. The article is specifically written for the NEC MobilePro 900 or MobilePro 900C, however should be relevant to any device with driver compatibility.

More Info

As evidenced in screenshots, this article was written with a connection to a Nokia 5310 cell phone, however any cell phone with Bluetooth tethering support should work as part of this process.

You should note that the drivers for HPC2000 and the drivers for CE.NET are different. For the MobilePro 900C, you should use the Pocket PC 2003 drivers from Socket. These drivers are available from the archives at Socket or you can get them from the HPC:Factor HCL.

How-To Guide

The following outlines the driver installation process using a MobilePro 900C:

First copy the BtStack.PPC2003ARMV4.CAB to your 900C and tap on it to install

Even though you may get an “unsupported device type” alert, go ahead and install the software.

Just use the default installation folder

The program will now install and create a folder in “Programs Folder” named “Socket Bluetooth Software”

The software is formatted for PPC2003, so it may be easier on your MobilePro to hide the taskbar during this installation.When it says “Tap Next to continue”, just hit the ENTER key to accomplish this.

Now you have to give your MobilePro a unique device name that the Bluetooth program will use.You can name it anything you like. I suggest something that identifies your MobilePro 900C. Again hit ENTER when ready.

By default the installer will disable the infrared port to enable more communication channels.The checkbox for this is hidden under the taskbar in the above screenshot.If your taskbar is hidden, you can see the checkbox. Just hit ENTER again.

From this screen you can select the common ports you will use with your Bluetooth connection. Not all are shown in the above screenshots.

By using a program called Winwatch, you can scroll the Bluetooth application window around making it easier to see all the selections.The image above shows the same window as in the previous screenshot, but with it scrolled upwards to see all of the available options. Just tape NEXT or hit ENTER

You should now get the “Finished” prompt informing you that you have completed your Bluetooth setup.

From the System Tray, you can now see the Bluetooth Logo icon. Single tap on it.

From here you can use your Socket Bluetooth card in a variety of ways. You can even turn it off to save power. We want to connect to our cell phone, so select “Get Connected!”

Now the Bluetooth Discover Wizard program will open.

Note: Your screen may vary considerably depending on whether you installed the HPC2000 or the PPC2003 support files.

If your phone is not one of the default models listed, you may search for your service.

This shows the program searching…

This shows the same thing using a different application version, but fundamentally the search process is the same.

Here you can see that a phone was discovered using the Bluetooth transceiver.

Now that the device has been recognized and saved in the device list, you will not have to go through the device recognition procedure to reconnect in the future.

In this composite screenshot, you can see that the Socket software already supports a variety of Bluetooth phones that were common at the time of its creation.

Now selects the phone from the devices list to “bond” (pair) the phone with the MobilePro 900C.

Just follow the screen prompts

Note that you normally have to set a Bluetooth password key. Each device will have a default key. If nothing is provided, try 1111 or 1234.

Once completed the cell phone will be partnered with the H/PC over a virtual COM port allowing you to setup tethered dialling from the H/PC.

To do this, begin by setting up a new Network connection.

You can start this from the start menu setting as shown above or from Dial-up connections on HPC2000.

Select 'Dial-Up Connection'

Choose the ' Bluetooth phone' as the modem

Selects the highest baud rate supported by your H/PC hardware. Some phones are limited to slower connections. You need to know what your phone’s capability is.

Enter the 2G/3G data access phone number for your carrier (*99# above). This may vary by carrier but will be setup on the phone itself in its connection settings. If in doubt, consult with your provider.

Enter any necessary login data (leave blank if none)

Selects dialling properties.This is the same way you would set up a standard modem connection.

As international and regional dial-codes are not used you can normalise the dial pattern options to only dial the data service number.

You are now ready to dial.

You are now successfully connected to the Internet via Bluetooth.

Note: The Bluetooth icon is only visible when the Socket Bluetooth card is inserted in the CF slot. Remove it and it disappears.

Acknowledgements

With thanks to Thiago Rodrigues Alves (NTWare) of HPC:Factor for his trials and experiences making this work and to Rich Hawley.