Bluetooth Protocol Testing
General introduction and overview of
Bluetooth Protocol Testing
Christian Sautter, Rohde & Schwarz, 1SPV, Feb.2002
Bluetooth Protocol Testing
General:
Generally, the Bluetooth Protocol follows the idea of the OSI Reference Model. There
are protocol layers with different dedicated tasks. Something remarkable about the
Bluetooth Protocol is that the lower layers take care to provide a reliable means of
transmission, while some part of the upper Bluetooth protocol stack, called Bluetooth
Profiles, specify application related usage models of the protocol layers below.
Applications
TCP/IP HID RFCOMM
l
ntro
Data
L2CAP Co
Audio
Link Manager
Baseband
RF
Summarized, the tasks of the shown protocol layers are as follows:
• RF (Radio Frequency) : Provides the RF transmission channel. Bluetooth uses a
Fast-Frequency-Hopping with 1600 hops/s on 79 channels from 2402 – 2480
MHz in the ISM-band. Modulation is GFSK, max. power 20 dBm, communication
datarate 1 Mbit/s.
• LC / BB (Link Controller / Baseband): Creates the baseband signal. Adds bits for
error and redundancy check, as well as information on type of packet, packet
acknowledgement, access code, link number...
• LM (Link Manager): Provides procedures for link setup and security, e.g. host
access, operational mode, key exchanges for authentication and encryption.
• L2CAP (Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol): Protocol multiplexing and
segmentation / re-assembly of data.
• SDP: Discover available services and their characteristics
• RFComm: Emulation of serial ports, based on ETSI TS07.10
Further protocol specifications are available for IrDA, Telephony Control and WAP.
There are profiles specified for several different applications. The number of these is
steadily increasing.
One further special feature of the Bluetooth Protocol Stack is the HCI interface.
Usually, only the horizontal communication between layers of the stacks of devices is
specified in the standard, as so called Protocol Data Units (PDU). The vertical
communication in the protocol stack of one device (service requests and
confirmations) is not specified. The exception is the HCI (Host Controller Interface),
which is the defined interface between LM and L2CAP.
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Bluetooth Protocol Testing
This fits quite well into a lot of protocol stack realization concepts, which provide the
RF, BB and LM on a module, while the layers from L2CAP upwards are realized as
software on a host. The HCI Interface may as well be used for controlling and
information readout of the Bluetooth RF / lower layer chip e.g. for testing purposes.
L2CAP, GAP,
RFComm, etc..
Software
HCI-Interface Bluetooth Module
RF, BB, LM
Bluetooth Qualification Testing:
One very important thing to consider is that Bluetooth shall not simply be a way of
transmitting data in the 2.4 GHz ISM Band, but it is designed to realize Personal Area
Networks (PAN), i.e. connecting
- short range
- ad-hoc
- different Bluetooth devices of different manufacturers worldwide.
It is clear to see that the destiny of the Bluetooth standard goes hand-in-hand with
the interoperability issue, that means if different devices of different manufacturers
are realized in a way the they can communicate trouble-free.
In order to ensure that, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group SIG (consisting of nine
global players out of the computer and telecom industry) has issued the Bluetooth
Core Specification, the Bluetooth Qualification Program and the Bluetooth Test
Specification.
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Bluetooth Protocol Testing
The Bluetooth Specification contains the features and specifications of the
Bluetooth RF, protocol layers and profiles.
The Bluetooth Qualification Program gives regulations, which rules have to be
followed, tests performed and documents created in order to be allowed to use the
Bluetooth logo on a product. It further refers to implemented institutions for Bluetooth
Qualification, such as:
- BQB’s (Bluetooth Qualifying Body, i.e Bluetooth expert to be consulted for smooth
and fast Bluetooth qualification).
- BQTF’s (Bluetooth Qualification Test Facility, i.e. accredited Testhouse for
performance of Bluetooth Category A Testcases).
Detailed information on the qualification can be obtained by checking the web:
www.bluetooth.com
Only if a product has passed the relating Bluetooth Qualification Tests, it may carry
the Bluetooth logo. Details are laid down in the Bluetooth brandbook.
The Bluetooth Test Specification defines test sceanrios for RF and Protocol layers to
be tested, as well as the priority of the tests to be performed to fulfill the testing part
for Bluetooth qualification.
The specified tests are generally divided into RF and Protocol Tests. The latter are
grouped into conformance tests (tests agianst reference testsystems) and
interoperability tests (device against device).
ConformanceTesting Interoperability Testing
(Testing versus Reference Systems) (Product versus Product)
Radio Frequency Application Profiles
Part A-E: RF Conformance -Provisional Part K2: SDAP Interoperability
Part A: RF Conformance Part K3: Cordless Interoperability
Part K4: Intercom Interoperability
Part K6: Headset Interoperability
Protocols Part K7: Dial-up Networking Interop.
Part B: BB Conformance Part K8: Fax Interoperability
Part C: LM Conformance
Part D: L2CAP Conformance
Part E: SDP Conformance
Part K13: Synchronisation Profile
Profiles Interop
Part K1: GAP Conformance
Part K5: SPP Conformance
There are currently more than 300 protocol conformance testcases listed. The SIG
has issued these as TTCN testcases. TTCN is a ISO-defined language which is
designed to describe test procedures. The Bluetooth TTCN testcases can be
licensed from the Bluetooth SIG and downloaded from the web.
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Bluetooth Protocol Testing
Bluetooth Protocol Testing:
It is clear to see that product qualification and the conformance testing is not the only
reason for Bluetooth protocol tests:
During development, the protocol stack need to be tested in several ways, for
example valid or invalid behaviour, as well as stress tests, i.e. dealing with
unreasonable sequences should not make the protocol stack crash.
Also the Bluetooth protocol stack integration leads special focus on protocol
testing. If own Bluetooth layers or application oriented software need to be attached
to a bought Bluetooth module solution for RF and lower layers, there might be
various difficulties only visible with protocol testing. Even the protocol behaviour of
bought products such as RF and lower layer chipset need to be tested in case of
functional problems, just to proof a possible malfunction to the supplier.
But finally, it is of course the Bluetooth Qualification Program which requires
extensive protocol testing, with the dedicated Bluetooth TTCN testcases.
Tools for Bluetooth Protocol Testing:
The general problem at protocol testing is that the protocol stack cannot be accessed
like with electrical measurements, e.g. by a probe and meter. All the stack is hidden
in chips and software.
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Bluetooth Protocol Testing
This leaves two general approaches for testing the protocol:
Sniffing, Protocol Analyzing:
-> To listen and log the communication of two communicating devices. One of the
devices or implementation might be the DUT, while the second one could be a
socalled Golden Device, a reference development implementation or device.
Followed by decoding the content of the data packages and an analysis of the
communication sequence, the conclusion on right or wrong functionality can be
drawn.
Such data logging devices are often called „Sniffers“.
Protocol Testing:
-> To actively address a device or implementation under test by a protocol tester.
Such protocol tester has an implemented Bluetooth protocol stack and can behave
like a real Bluetooth product. Contrary to a usual Bluetooth device the stack in the
tester is accessible. That means, information running up and down the protocol stack
in the tester can be tapped and made transparent. Since the protocol tester actively
participates in the communication with the DUT, also the received messages from the
DUT appear on the tester side, and can be made transparent accordingly. The DUT
can be stimulated by the tester to test valid or invalid behaviour or do stress tests.
Tester System under Test
Test Software PDU IUT
ASP
Ref L1 PDU L1
ASP
Ref RF RF
There are also mixed forms of the above, mostly found as Sniffers with a combined
dedicated signalling device.
As a result, a protocol tester, which should be able to fulfill all the tasks a described
before, should have the following features:
• Integrated Bluetooth reference protocol layers.
• Accessible protocol stack, that means no Bluetooth chipset.
• Platform for easy creation and execution of test scenarios, e.g. valid / invalid
behaviour, stress test.
• Platform for editing, compiling and running Bluetooth TTCN testcases.
• Various analysis tools, such as data-logging windows, packet decoders, message
filters, message sequencing charts.
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Bluetooth Protocol Testing
Bluetooth Protocol Tester Rohde & Schwarz PTW60:
The Bluetooth Protocol Tester Rohde & Schwarz PTW60 combines all the features
necessary for Bluetooth protocol testing:
u Reference implementation of BB, LM and L2CAP in master and slave mode (no chipset)
u Protocol qualification of layers and profiles by execution of TTCN test cases according to
Bluetooth test specification
(as optional libraries)
u Use as upper and lower tester
u Support of automatic TC
generation by implemented
TTCN-Compiler
u Open programming interface and
C-Compiler for creating of own
test scenarios (written in C)
Various analyzing tools are offered:
PCO online data listing TTCN Trace
Detailed PDU decoding
The PTW60 is the most sophisticated tool in the market for Bluetooth protocol
conformance testing. More than 220 testcases of the official Bluetooth protocol
testsuites are verified and debugged and able to be executed on the PTW60.
Further, the Rohde & Schwarz PTW60 stack has prooven functionality on various
Bluetooth UnPlugFests (Bluetooth interop testing events).
Last but not least, it is the market leader for Bluetooth Protocol Testers, with almost
100 pcs. sold, and can therefore be seen as a reference.
It is to remember, that interoperability is the biggest issue in Bluetooth, and it is a
mandatory requirement for every Bluetooth product to be tested according to the
Qualification Program and against reference devices and other products.
For Bluetooth products this means that intensive tesing is definitely a requirement to
be successful in the market.
