Bluetooth Profiles list-HFP HSP A2DP AVRCP PBAP MAP profile

Bluetooth Profiles list | HFP HSP A2DP AVRCP PBAP MAP profile

Bluetooth profiles are standardized sets of protocols that define how Bluetooth devices communicate and interact with each other for specific purposes. We will explore list of bluetooth profiles including HSP, HFP, A2DP, PBAP, AVRCP and MAP bluetooth profile and difference between them.

Key features of Bluetooth technology:
• Bluetooth operates at 2.4 GHz ISM band.
• It covers range of about 10 to 100 meters.
• It is interference tolerant system as it supports AFH (Adaptive Frequency Hopping) capability.
• It provides reliable and secure wireless connectivity.
• It consumes low power.
• It is interoperable with various vendor devices.
• It suppors different operating systems such as windows, linux, android, iOS etc.
• Bluetooth standard has been maintained and developed by Bluetooth SIG.
• The different versions of bluetooth standards are bluetooth classic, bluetooth low energy (i.e. bluetooth smart) and bluetooth high speed.

Bluetooth Profiles List

The bluetooth profiles serve various communication and entertainment needs. It ensures compatibility and smooth interactions between different bluetooth enabled devices. The choice of profile depends on intended use case, such as making calls, listening to music, controlling media playback or accessing contact and message data. Let us understand each of these profiles one by one from the bluetooth profiles list.

HFP Bluetooth profile

HFP is designed for hands free calling in vehicles and headsets. It allows for voice calls and audio streaming. It provides call control functions viz. answer, end and reject calls.

• HFP stands for Hands Free Profile.
• It makes voice transmission between mobile phone and wireless headset in order to provide comfort while driving or during exercise.
• Audio is transmitted over synchronous SCO channel. Separate data channel is used to control audio stream.
• Other features are support for mono audio, sampling rates from 8 KHz to 16 KHz, audio delay of about 20 to 30 ms.
• HFP bluetooth profile supports audio codecs such as CVSD and mSBC.
• AT commands are used to control mobile phone.

HSP Bluetooth profile

It enables voice transmission between mobile phone and wireless bluetooth headset. The primary use case is mono voice calls using bluetooth headsets. It supports limited audio streaming capabilities and often used in mono bluetooth headsets.

• HSP stands for Headset Profile.
• Audio is transmitted over synchronous SCO channel.
• It has become obsolete due to availability of HFP profile.
• Other features of HSP bluetooth profile are mono audio, 8 KHz sampling, audio delay of 20 to 30 ms, CVSD codec etc.

A2DP Bluetooth profile

A2DP stands for Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. It enables stereo audio streaming between music player (as source) and speakers/headphones (as sink).

It provides high quality audio streaming (stereo). It is ideal for music playback from devices to bluetooth audio output devices. Refer A2DP profile >> for other features of it.

AVRCP Bluetooth profile

• AVRCP stands for Audio/Video Remote Control Profile.
• It enables audio sink to control the audio sources music player and streaming status.
• It uses data channel to transmit the control information between audio controller and target.
• AVRCP v 1.5 enables advanced features like media browsing, audio player and playlist management.
• Other features of AVRCP bluetooth profile are as follows.
-Content browsing (artists, songs etc.), content searching, audio player management, enables audio stream status control, enables transmission of track, title and other media information, playlist management etc.

PBAP Bluetooth profile

PBAP provides access to contact and address book information stored on mobile device, typically used in car infotainment systems. Accessing phone contacts and caller ID information in car infotainment systems.

• PBAP stands for Phone Book Access Profile.
• This profile enables exchange of phone book objects between for example, smart phone and car kit.
• It uses data channel to transmit vCARDS over bluetooth connection.
• The other features of PBAP bluetooth profile are download phone book items, access call history, access subscriber number information etc.

Bluetooth MAP Version

MAP stands for Message Access Profile. MAP allows access to text messages and email data on a paired device, often used in car infotainment systems for hands free access to messages and emails. The primary use case is accessing text messages and email data while driving through car's infotainment system.

• This profile enables exchange of messages between smartphone and car kit.
• It uses data channel to transmit SMS and email notifications and messages over bluetooth.
• The other features of MAP Bluetooth profile are as follows.
-SMS and email notifications
-Download of messages
-upload of messages
-Browsing message folders
• Bluetooth MAP Version specifications are developed to allow exchange of messages between devices. It is mostly used for automotive handsfree use.

Conclusion :
Following table summarize difference between HSP, HFP, A2DP, PBAP, AVRCP and MAP bluetooth profile versions.

Profile	Full form	Description
HFP	Hands Free Profile	Allows for hands-free calling in cars and headsets.
HSP	Headset Profile	Basic audio communication between headsets and phones.
A2DP	Advanced Audio Distribution Profile	High quality audio streaming between devices.
AVRCP	Audio/Video Remote Control Profile	Allows remote control of media playback
PBAP	Phone Book Access Profile	Access to contact and address book information.
MAP	Message Access Profile	Access to text messages and email.

These profiles ensure seamless communication and interaction between various Bluetooth-enabled devices, catering to a wide range of applications, from hands-free calling and audio streaming to media control and data access.