GridConnect GRIDBluFly User manual

User Guide
Revision C May 1, 2023
GRIDBluFly

GRIDBluFly User Guide
2
Copyright and Trademark
Copyright © 2023, Grid Connect, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal
use, without the express written permission of Grid Connect, Inc. Grid Connect, Inc. has made every effort to provide
complete details about the product in this manual, but makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material,
including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event
shall Grid Connect, Inc. be liable for any incidental, special, indirect, or consequential damages whatsoever included but
not limited to lost profits arising out of errors or omissions in this manual or the information contained herein.
Grid Connect, Inc. products are not designed, intended, authorized or warranted for use as components in systems
intended for surgical implant into the body, or in other applications intended to support or sustain life, or in any other
application in which the failure of a Grid Connect, Inc. product could create a situation where personal injury, death, or
severe property or environmental damage may occur. Grid Connect, Inc. reserves the right to discontinue or make
changes to its products at any time without notice.
Grid Connect and the Grid Connect logo, and combinations thereof are registered trademarks of Grid Connect, Inc. All
other product names, company names, logos or other designations mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective
owners.
GRIDBluFly™, BluFly™ and gridconnect® are trademarks of Grid Connect, Inc.
Grid Connect Inc.
1630 W. Diehl Rd.
Naperville, IL 60563, USA
Phone: [phone]
Technical Support
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
On-line: www.gridconnect.com
Disclaimer
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause interference in which case the user, at his or her own
expense, will be required to take whatever measures may be required to correct the interference.
Attention: This product has been designed to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device
pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy, and if not installed and used in accordance with this guide, may
cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Changes or modifications to this device not explicitly approved by Grid Connect will void the user's authority to operate
this device.
The information in this guide may change without notice. The manufacturer assumes no responsibility for any errors that
may appear in this guide.

GRIDBluFly User Guide
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Table of Contents
OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................................................5
Introduction.............................................................................................................................................5
GRIDBluFly Features.................................................................................................................................5
Hardware Description...............................................................................................................................6
RS232 DB9 Pin Assignments..............................................................................................................................................6
LEDs...................................................................................................................................................................................7
GRIDBluFly Configuration Switches ..................................................................................................................................7
Power................................................................................................................................................................................8
QUICK START...................................................................................................................................9
Pairing Two BluFly Serial Devices as a Cable Replacement .........................................................................9
Pairing Using Configuration Switches ...............................................................................................................................9
Pairing Using Serial Command Mode..............................................................................................................................10
Creating a Bluetooth connection to the BluFly from your PC....................................................................10
Discovery.........................................................................................................................................................................10
Pairing .............................................................................................................................................................................12
Connecting ......................................................................................................................................................................12
Link Test.................................................................................................................................................12
CONFIGURATION........................................................................................................................... 13
Local Configuration Using a Serial Port....................................................................................................13
Remote Configuration Using Bluetooth...................................................................................................14
Minimum Configuration .........................................................................................................................15
MODES OF OPERATION ................................................................................................................. 16
Slave Mode (SM,0) .................................................................................................................................16
Master Mode (SM,1) ..............................................................................................................................16
Trigger Master Mode (SM,2)...................................................................................................................16
Auto-Connect Master Mode (SM,3) ........................................................................................................16
BLE Server..............................................................................................................................................16
COMMAND REFERENCE................................................................................................................. 17
SET Commands.......................................................................................................................................17
GET Commands ......................................................................................................................................20
Action Commands ..................................................................................................................................21
BLE Server OPERATION.................................................................................................................. 24
CYSPP Profile..........................................................................................................................................24

GRIDBluFly User Guide
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NULL MODEM JUMPERS................................................................................................................ 26
RS232.....................................................................................................................................................27

GRIDBluFly User Guide
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OVERVIEW
Introduction
The GRIDBluFly or also referred to in this guide as just BluFly is a Class 1 Bluetooth® radio modem with 2.4GHz
RF PCB trace antenna. The modules are Bluetooth version 5.0 compliant (BR + EDR + Bluetooth® LE). Two
BluFly devices can be configured and paired to make a wireless RS232 cable replacement or extender. A PC
with Bluetooth capability can also pair with a single BluFly creating a virtual COM port for wireless serial
communication.
The serial devices can be configured, commanded, and controlled with simple ASCII strings through the BluFly’s
hardware serial UART or over a remote Bluetooth RF connection. The BluFly has an RS232 DB9 Male or Female
connector. The BluFly is a Class 1 Bluetooth device with mid-range power transceiver (300 feet). Actual range
may vary due to environment or type of client device used to connect to BluFly.
Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range radio technology. Bluetooth wireless technology makes it
possible to transmit signals over short distances between computers and other devices and thereby simplify
communication and synchronization between devices.
GRIDBluFly Features
High speed RS232, with standard baud rates from 1200 to 921,600. Baud Rates other than 9600 or
115200 must be selected in command mode.
Parity Even, Odd, or None, 7/8 Data Bits, 1 Stop Bit.
Hardware flow control via RTS, CTS (local serial connection only).
Modem control output (DTR) tied to flow control output (RTS) optional.
Settings can be easily changed via local serial port connection.
Mid-range Power (Class 1, 12dBm TX, 300’, 90m) Bluetooth™ radio
Serial Port Profile (SPP) used for direct connect to Classic BT clients.
Custom GATT profiles for BLE clients (peripheral role only).
Green (connection), Yellow (TX/RX) and Green (Power) LEDs.
Low power operation requires only 5VDC at 40ma when connected.
Powered by external 5VDC wall adapter. Input range is 5-16VDC. Can be powered through the DB9
connector.
Smallest possible form factor.
DB9 Male or DB9 Female connector standard.

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Hardware Description
The following pictures show the top and bottom views of the GRIDBluFly. Note that the standard DB9 Male
connector is shown. An DB9 Female version is also available.
BluFly Top View
BluFly Bottom View
RS232 DB9 Pin Assignments
The straight DB9 pin numbers and descriptions (default) are shown in the following table. Please note that
some pins have no connection (NC). See the NULL MODEM JUMPERS sections for all wiring options.
Pin
DTE Description (DB9 Male)
DCE Description (Female)
1
NC
NC
2
RXD (in)
TXD (out)
3
TXD (out)
RXD (in)
4
DTR (out) [option]
NC
5
GND
GND
6
NC
DSR (out) [option]
7
RTS (out)
CTS (in)
8
CTS (in)
RTS (out)
9
External Power 5-16 VDC
External Power 5-16 VDC
Power Jack
Green Status LED
Yellow RX/TX LED
Green Power LED
RS232 DB9
Configuration
Switches
Cover Screw

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LEDs
The GRIDBluFly comes equipped with three LEDs. The green Status LED provides Bluetooth Device status,
while the Yellow LED shows activity on the transmit/receive lines.
The GRIDBluFly Device status is indicated by the green Status LED as shown below.
GRIDBluFly Device Status
Status LED Blink Rate
Configuring/Command Mode
Fast, 10 times per second
Boot up, Remote Configurable,
Discoverable, Idle
2 times per second
Discoverable, Idle
1 time per second
Connected
On Solid
The Yellow LED shows the physical state of the TX and RX data pins, pulse stretched for improved visibility. The
Yellow LED blinks when data is transmitted or received on pins 2 and 3 of the serial port.
There is also a green Power LED that is always on solid with power applied.
GRIDBluFly Configuration Switches
The Configuration switches give you an easy method of setting the operating mode of the BluFly. Changes to
the Configuration switches take effect on the next power on.
1- FACTORY DEFAULTS- Set this switch ON, power up the unit, and toggle the switch from ON to OFF 2 times to
return the unit to factory settings. The Status LED will flash when the reset is successful.
2-AUTO DISCOVER MODE –In Slave mode (AUTO MASTER OFF), switching AUTO DISCOVER ON will set a
special class of device which is used by a remote BluFly Master to auto connect (see AUTO MASTER MODE).
3- AUTO MASTER MODE- When switched ON the BluFly will act as master and auto-connect to a stored
remote address. You must first set the BluFly address of the device to connect to manually using the SR
command or have the address set automatically by also switching AUTO DISCOVER ON to have the BluFly
discover another BluFly slave with just its AUTO DISCOVER ON. See the Quick Start for further information.
4- FIXED @9600,8N1 –Set switch 4 to ON to force the BluFly to use the serial settings 9600 baud, 8 data bits,
no parity and 1 stop bit on the next power on. This is useful for entering command mode when the BluFly
configuration is unknown. When switched OFF the BluFly will operate with the configured serial settings on the
ON OFF
4
3
2
1
4 –FIXED @9600,8N1
3 –AUTO MASTER
2 –AUTO DISCOVER
1 –FACTORY DEFAULTS

GRIDBluFly User Guide
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next initialization. The factory default baud rate is 115200. You can configure the baud rate and other serial
settings in command mode using the SU command.
Power
The BluFly’s Power Jack accepts 5VDC –16VDC. The center pin of the power jack is for the input power
(typically +5V), while the outer cylinder should be connected to ground. The requirements can be met with the
supplied 5VDC, 300ma wall plug adapters.
Barrel connector: Outer diameter: 3.50mm, inner diameter: 1.35mm, length: 8 - 8.25mm
The BluFly can be powered alternatively through the DB9 connector on Pin 9 with ground on Pin 5.
Note: When using an external power supply, Pin 9 on the DB9 connector is connected to the external power
supply. You can remove the power to the pin by removing a small resistor. Remove R11 for units with DB9 Male
or remove R12 for units with DB9 Female.
When actively transmitting or receiving data, the BluFly has a power draw of 30-50ma @5V, depending on the
data rate.

GRIDBluFly User Guide
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QUICK START
Follow these instructions to get your device(s) up and running fast.
Pairing Two BluFly Serial Devices as a Cable Replacement
A pair of BluFly devices can be used as a serial cable replacement/extender. The serial data then travels over
the wireless Bluetooth connection. The BluFly works best for applications where only RS232 3-wire cabling is
required (TX, RX and GND). Note that only the serial data is transported over the connection and not the state
of all the RS232 control signals.
Pairing Using Configuration Switches
The two BluFly devices first need to be paired so they will transfer serial data between them. To do this, first
select one of the devices as the master (client) and the other as the slave (peripheral). Set the configuration
switches as shown below.
With the configuration switches set, power on the two devices. The green Status LED will begin by blinking. The
Master device will automatically discover the Slave device and store its address. The Master will then establish
a connection to the slave and the green Status LED of both devices will be On solid.
Once the two devices have paired change option switch 2 (Auto Discover) to OFF for both devices. This will
prevent the devices from inadvertently pairing with other devices on the next power on.
Configuration switch 4 can be used to select the baud rate. When the switch is ON it forces the baud rate to
9600. When the switch is OFF the stored configured baud rate will be used. The stored factory default serial
settings are 115200 baud, 8 data bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. If your application requires different serial
settings then you must use Command mode to configure the BluFly’s baud rate.
BluFly
BluFly
PC/Serial Device
Serial Device
ON OFF
4
3
2
1
4 –FIXED @9600,8N1
3 –AUTO MASTER
2 –AUTO DISCOVER
1 –FACTORY DEFAULTS
ON OFF
4
3
2
1
Master device
Slave device

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Pairing Using Serial Command Mode
The BluFly Bluetooth adapter operates in two modes: data mode (default) and command mode. While in data
mode, the module is essentially a data pipe passing serial data between the DB9 and the Bluetooth connection.
Sending the BluFly a string of ‘$$$’ will put it in Command mode and the BluFly will respond with ‘CMD’. While
in command mode the BluFly will rapidly blink the Status LED. The BluFly will then accept ASCII commands to
configure BluFly settings or perform other operations. Appropriate commands have been provided to make the
module perform the two core actions of a Bluetooth device, which is make/break connections and Inquiry.
Pairing using Command mode requires some knowledge of the commands supported by the BluFly. The
following commands give an example of how to Discover, pair and connect to another BluFly.
Example of a Master Discovery/Connection Sequence
From power up and no connection:
1) Perform an Inquiry to obtain remote BT_Address (unless it is already known).
Send : $$$ <cr> // Places Radio in Command Mode
Reply:CMD<cr>
Send : I,30<cr> // Looks for Bluetooth devices
Reply: <cr>Inquiry, COD=0<cr>001D4B060005,GRIDBluFly-0005,1F00<cr>Found 1<cr>Inquiry Done<cr>
2) Store the remote address just found.
Send : SR, 001D4B060005<cr>
Reply:<cr>AOK
3) Connect.
Send : C <cr> // Places Radio in Connect
Reply:TRYING<cr>
BluFly will attempt connection to remote slave.
Reply:CONNECT<cr> // this will be displayed once connection is made, if <text>
string is defined in the stored parameters.
4) Send /Receive data.
Creating a Bluetooth connection to the BluFly from your PC
A PC with Bluetooth capability can pair with the BluFly creating a virtual COM port for wireless serial
communication. The PC is assumed to be the master and the BluFly is the slave. You connect to the BluFly using
your computer’s Bluetooth device manager, which varies depending on the operating system. Regardless of
the operating system, the process is the same: discovery, pairing, and connecting.
Discovery
When you turn on the Bluetooth adapter, the green Status LED should blink and the adapter should be