Awareness | Bluetooth Integration & Setup
Learn how to enable Bluetooth integration and improve functionality.
Information
Installation & Range Expectations
Installation of any wireless device has several factors to consider for optimal range and connectivity of the devices:
Height
Like with any wireless device, the lower the antenna, the lower the range capability. If distance is needed for paired devices, at least the height of a standard wall switch is recommended.
Enclosure
Installing in a metal floorbox or rack unit is not recommended as the enclosure can inhibit the signal.
Environmental Interference
Bluetooth operates on the 2.4GHz frequency range. Other devices such as WiFi, some digital wireless microphone systems, and some cordless telephone systems can also cause interference effecting Bluetooth signal strength and distance. Large numbers of closely spaced bodies between the Bluetooth streaming device and the the Bluetooth receiver can also reduce range. Installing the in-wall receiver as close as possible to where the streaming device will likely be can help in these situations.
High density of Bluetooth devices
In certain venues like exercise studios, where many people - most with cell phones - gather, Bluetooth range and connectivity can be severely compromised. Bluetooth operates in a relatively narrow slice of the 2.4GHz RF spectrum. Bluetooth attempts, using frequency hopping technology, to find clear RF channels in its spectrum. When large numbers of Bluetooth devices are concentrated in a small area, finding clear channels becomes increasingly difficult and will affect range and ultimately the ability for a device to connect at all. This effect is common with all wireless technlogies, not just Bluetooth. The only real work-around is turning off Bluetooth in user devices that are not using Bluetooth.
Bluetooth Specification
The Bluetooth specification specifies a 10m (33ft) RF range for dropout-free performance. Attero Tech has designed a very robust Bluetooth transceiver solution, and measured range results on our Bluetooth products typically exceed this specified range. Line of sight testing has shown up to 90m (300ft) of dropout-free range. Indoor testing in Attero Tech's facility, where internal walls built on steel studs makes for an RF-unfriendly environment, yields up to 25m (80ft) of dropout-free range. Range will certainly vary based on the specifics of the venue, physical installation, and existing RF situation in the venue, but you can reasonably expect range performance that exceeds that of typical consumer-oriented Bluetooth products in the same situation.
Pairing
Connecting to an Attero Tech unit can only be initiated if the Bluetooth interface is idle (indicated by the BT status indicator on the front panel being off).
Pairing to any Attero Tech Bluetooth audio device is initiated by pressing the front panel “Pair” button. It can also be initiated remotely using our unIFY Control Panel application, from within a device's QSC plug-in or by using the 3rd party control command to put the device into “Pair” mode.
When in pairing mode, the blue Bluetooth status LED will begin flashing to indicate that the Attero Tech device is now visible to other Bluetooth devices and can accept pairings. This pairing period lasts 30 seconds after which the status LED will stop flashing, turn off and the device will disable its Bluetooth interface so it can no longer be discovered. If a successful pairing is made during the pairing period, the status LED will stop flashing and turn constantly on. The connected device's name will be added to the Attero Tech device’s pool of connected devices. If the pool is already full (maximum of 16 devices), a previous device will be removed from the pool to make space for the new one.
Disconnecting
To disconnect a Bluetooth device from an Attero Tech unit, the usual method is to either press and hold the “Pair” button for 5 seconds and then release it, or walk out of range of the Bluetooth signal. A disconnection can also be initiated remotely from the unIFY Control Panel application, from within the devices QSC plug-in or by using the 3rd party control command to disconnect a device. Once disconnected, the Bluetooth status LED will turn off.
Reconnecting
Bluetooth devices may be able to reconnect to an Attero Tech unit if they have been previously been paired with it. By design. once disconnected, a device will not automatically reconnect. Some form of user intervention will be required
To reconnect, the following must be true:
- The device must have been paired to the specific Attero Tech unit before.
- The devices name must still be present in the pool of known devices for that Attero Tech unit.
- The BT interface on the Attero Tech unit must be idle
The method used to reconnect depends on the mode.
Manual Reconnect Mode (Default/Only mode for unA6IO-BT and unBT2A)
This usage model is intended for applications where numerous casual users of a public venue (sports bar, spa, stadium luxury box, fitness center, etc.) desire access to connect their devices to the audio system.
In this mode, a device may be able to re-establish a previous connection by pressing the “pair” button on the Attero Tech device and then selecting the device from the “known” device list on the smart device. However, it can be expected that more than sixteen devices are likely to be used with a an Attero Tech device so there is no guarantee a previously connected devices name will still be in the pool of known devices on the Attero Tech device and if it is not, any re-connection attempt will fail. As a result, it is recommended that the user *ALWAYS* be told to forget the Attero Tech device from their smart device and re-establish a connection from scratch.
Reconnect Mode (unD6IO-BT, Axon DBU, Axiom BT1)
This usage model is intended for applications where the number of devices that may be paired with a particular unD6IO-BT is small (less than 16). It works the same as manual mode except when trying to re-establish a previous connection, the user can simply select the unD6IO-BT from list known Bluetooth devices on their smart device (it is not necessary to press the pair button).
This usage model is most applicable when the total number of paired devices remains less than sixteen. If it exceeds 16, then there is a risk that any attempted reconnect will fail as the device’s name may then have been removed from the pool of known devices. If re-connection therefore fails, the user *MUST* forget the unD6IO-BT from their smart device and attempt to pair the device from scratch.
Exclusive Mode (unD6IO-BT, Axon DBU, Axiom BT1)
This mode is intended for restricted/personal use and works similarly in operation to reconnect mode. However, rather than allow any known device from the pairing list to reconnect, only a specific device can be used with that particular unD6IO-BT.
To setup a device as the exclusive device, set the unD6IO-BT to “Exclusive” mode, clear the pairing list, and then pair the desired exclusive device to the unit. The unD6IO-BT makes a note of this device and from that point on, only that exclusive device will be allowed to reconnect to that particular unD6IO-BT when in range. As with the reconnect mode, re-connection is done without requiring the front panel button to be pressed by simply selecting that particular unD6IO-BT on their smart device. Once the unD6IO-BT has been associated with a device, both the front panel pair button and the remote “pair” command sent via the network are disabled and will have no effect.
In order to attach a different device, either the pairing list has to be cleared or the device mode needs to be changed. Both of these can be accomplished with the unIFY Control Panel application, from within a device's QSC plug-in or by using the 3rd party control commands.