Rn-42-HID, Can't get into command mode.

Wireless & IoT
1

Hello, I am a little new at this so forgive me if I am doing something obviously wrong. I have the RN-42-HID bluetooth module and I can’t seem to get it into command mode. I am connecting through its UART connection using TTL - RS232 converter here:http://www.sparkfun.com/products/449.

I have an arduino pro mini that I am currently only using for its voltage regulator. The battery is connected to the arduinos raw power connector and the rs232 shifter and the bluetooth module are getting their power from the arduino’s 3.3v vcc connection. The RX and TX of the bluetooth module are connected to the TX and RX of the rs232 shifter respectively. As soon as the TX of the bluetooth module connects to the RX of the shifter board, both TX and RX leds light up on the shifter. I don’t know if that is normal. If I switch them around the other way then only the Tx light comes on very dimly.

I have used hyperterminal and putty to try to make a connection using the settings in the manual.

• Baud rate 115,200

• 8 bits

• No Parity

• 1 stop bit

• Hardware flow control enabled

I type $$$ in the terminal windows with no following characters or return. I get nothing in response.

I am attempting withing the 60 second limit.

I have made sure that there is no bluetooth connection with any device.

I have tried bridging the UART_CTS and UART_RTS pins together as someone else had done on this forum.

I know that the RS232 shifter works as I have successfully uploaded a sketch to the arduino and had that run fine.

Thank you for any assistance you can give. I will update this if I think of anything else I have tried that I have not listed.

2

I have been able to send data through the UART on the bluetooth module to a paired computer. Since the module is in keyboard mode any characters I type into the terminal windows show up as key strokes on the remote computer.

I am still unable to enter command mode but at least I know that the module is receiving data.

3

Update: I was able to determine that the module is in fact going into command mode. I am just not getting any response from it.

I changed the name of the device with the SN command and now shows up with the new name. But I don’t get any CMD or AOK messages back from the module.

The only response I’ve gotten from the module is a square character whenever it is powered on or when I reset it with the R,1 command.

4

Use Putty. Instructions here: http://wiki.inventige.com/projects/extr … rogramming

5

That looks helpfull, but doesn’t apply to this device. I have the RN-42-HID which means it defaults to hid mode instead of serial. So no virtual serial port is created when it is connected.

Instead I am trying to configure it with the ttl-rs232 converter that I listed above.