HC Serial Bluetooth Products

User Instructional Manual

1 Introduction
HC serial Bluetooth products consist of Bluetooth serial interface module and Bluetooth adapter, such as:

(1) Bluetooth serial interface module:

Industrial level: HC-03, HC-04(HC-04-M, HC-04-S)
Civil level: HC-05, HC-06(HC-06-M, HC-06-S)
HC-05-D, HC-06-D (with baseboard, for test and evaluation)
(2) Bluetooth adapter:
HC-M4
HC-M6
This document mainly introduces Bluetooth serial module. Bluetooth serial module is used for
converting serial port to Bluetooth. These modules have two modes: master and slaver device. The device
named after even number is defined to be master or slaver when out of factory and can’t be changed to the
other mode. But for the device named after odd number, users can set the work mode (master or slaver) of
the device by AT commands.

HC-04 specifically includes:

Master device: HC-04-M, M=master
Slave device: HC-04-S, S=slaver
The default situation of HC-04 is slave mode. If you need master mode, please state it clearly or place
an order for HC-O4-M directly.The naming rule of HC-06 is same.

When HC-03 and HC-05 are out of factory, one part of parameters are set for activating the device.
The work mode is not set, since user can set the mode of HC-03, HC-05 as they want.
The main function of Bluetooth serial module is replacing the serial port line, such as:
1. There are two MCUs want to communicate with each other. One connects to Bluetooth master
device while the other one connects to slave device. Their connection can be built once the pair is made.
This Bluetooth connection is equivalently liked to a serial port line connection including RXD, TXD
signals. And they can use the Bluetooth serial module to communicate with each other.
 2. When MCU has Bluetooth salve module, it can communicate with Bluetooth adapter of computers
and smart phones. Then there is a virtual communicable serial port line between MCU and computer or
smart phone.

3. The Bluetooth devices in the market mostly are salve devices, such as Bluetooth printer, Bluetooth
GPS. So, we can use master module to make pair and communicate with them.

Bluetooth Serial module’s operation doesn’t need drive, and can communicate with the other
Bluetooth device who has the serial. But communication between two Bluetooth modules requires at least
two conditions:

(1) The communication must be between master and slave.

(2) The password must be correct.
However, the two conditions are not sufficient conditions. There are also some other conditions basing
on different device model. Detailed information is provided in the following chapters.

In the following chapters, we will repeatedly refer to Linvor’s (Formerly known as Guangzhou HC
Information Technology Co., Ltd.) material and photos.

2 Selection of the Module

The Bluetooth serial module named even number is compatible with each other; The salve module is
also compatible with each other. In other word, the function of HC-04 and HC-06, HC-03 and HC-05 are
mutually compatible with each other. HC-04 and HC-06 are former version that user can’t reset the work
mode (master or slave). And only a few AT commands and functions can be used, like reset the name of
Bluetooth (only the slaver), reset the password, reset the baud rate and check the version number. The
command set of HC-03 and HC-05 are more flexible than HC-04 and HC-06’s. Generally, the Bluetooth
of HC-03/HC-05 is recommended for the user.

Here are the main factory parameters of HC-05 and HC-06. Pay attention to the differences:
HC-05 HC-06

Master and slave mode can be switched Master and slave mode can’t be switched

Bluetooth name: HC-05 Bluetooth name: linvor

Password:1234 Password:1234

Master role: have no function to remember the last

paired salve device. It can be made paired to any
Master role: have paired memory to remember last
slave device and only make pair with that device
slave device. In other words, just set
unless KEY (PIN26) is triggered by high level. The
AT+CMODE=1 when out of factory. If you want
default connected PIN26 is low level.
HC-05 to remember the last paired slave device
address like HC-06, you can set AT+CMODE=0
after paired with the other device. Please refer the
command set of HC-05 for the details.

Pairing: The master device can not only make pair

with the specified Bluetooth address, like
Pairing: Master device search and make pair with
cell-phone, computer adapter, slave device, but also
the slave device automatically.
can search and make pair with the slave device
automatically. Typical method: On some specific conditions,
master and slave device can make pair with each
Typical method: On some specific conditions, other automatically.
master device and slave device can make pair with
each other automatically. (This is the default
method.)

Multi-device communication: There is only point to Multi-device communication: There is only point to
point communication for modules, but the adapter point communication for modules, but the adapter
can communicate with multi-modules. can communicate with multi-modules.

AT Mode 1: After power on, it can enter the AT

mode by triggering PIN34 with high level. Then the
baud rate for setting AT command is equal to the
baud rate in communication, for example:
 AT Mode: Before paired, it is at the AT mode.
9600.
After paired it’s at transparent communication.
AT mode 2: First set the PIN34 as high level, or
while on powering the module set the PIN34 to be
high level, the Baud rate used here is 38400 bps.

Notice: All AT commands can be operated only

when the PIN34 is at high level. Only part of the AT
commands can be used if PIN34 doesn’t keep the
high level after entering to the AT mode. Through
this kind of designing, set permissions for the
module is left to the user’s external control circuit,
that makes the application of HC-05 is very flexible.

During the process of communication, the module

can enter to AT mode by setting PIN34 to be high
During the communication mode, the module can’t
level. By releasing PIN34, the module can go back enter to the AT mode.
to communication mode in which user can inquire
some information dynamically. For example, to
inquire the pairing is finished or not.

Default communication baud rate: Default communication baud rate:

9600, 9600,
4800-1.3M are settable. 1200-1.3M are settable.
KEY: PIN34, for entering to the AT mode. KEY: PIN26, for master abandons memory.

LED1: PIN31, indicator of Bluetooth mode. Slow

flicker (1Hz) represents entering to the AT mode2,
while fast flicker(2Hz) represents entering to the AT LED: The flicker frequency of slave device is
mode1 or during the communication pairing. Double 102ms. If master device already has the memory of
flicker per second represents pairing is finished, the slave device, the flicker frequency during the
module is communicable. pairing is 110ms/s. If not, or master has emptied the
memory, then the flicker frequency is 750m/s. After
LED2: PIN32, before pairing is at low level, after the
pairing, no matter it’s a master or slave device, the
pairing is at high level.
LED PIN is at high level.
The using method of master and slaver’s indicator is
Notice: The LED PIN connects to LED+ PIN.
the same.

Notice: The PIN of LED1 and LED2 are connected

with LED+.
Consumption: During the pairing, the current is Consumption: During the pairing, the current is

fluctuant in the range of 30-40mA. The mean current fluctuant in the range of 30-40 m. The mean current
is about 25mA. After paring, no matter processing is about 25mA. After paring, no matter processing
communication or not, the current is 8mA. There is communication or not, the current is 8mA. There is
no sleep mode. This parameter is same for all the no sleep mode. This parameter is same for all the
Bluetooth modules. Bluetooth modules.

Reset: PIN11, active if it’s input low level. It can be Reset: PIN11, active if it’s input low level. It can be
suspended in using. suspended in using.

Level: Civil Level: Civil

The table above that includes main parameters of two serial modules is a reference for user selection.

HC-03/HC-05 serial product is recommended.

3. Information of Package
The PIN definitions of HC-03, HC-04, HC-05 and HC-06 are kind of different, but the package size is
the same: 28mm * 15mm * 2.35mm.

The following figure 1 is a picture of HC-06 and its main PINs. Figure 2 is a picture of HC-05 and its
main PINs. Figure 3 is a comparative picture with one coin. Figure 4 is their package size information.
Figure 1 HC-06 Figure 2 HC-05

Figure 3 Comparative picture with one coin

 Figure 4 Package size information
4. The Using and Testing Method of HC-06 for the First Time
This chapter will introduce the using method of HC-06 in detail. User can test the module according to
this chapter when he or she uses the module at the first time.

PINs description:
PIN1 UART_TXD , TTL/CMOS level, UART Data output

PIN2 UART_RXD, TTL/COMS level, s UART Data input

RESET, the reset PIN of module, inputting low level can reset the module,
PIN11
when the module is in using, this PIN can connect to air.
 VCC, voltage supply for logic, the standard voltage is 3.3V, and can work
PIN12
at 3.0-4.2V

PIN13 GND

PIN22 GND

LED, working mode indicator

Slave device: Before paired, this PIN outputs the period of 102ms square
wave. After paired, this PIN outputs high level.
PIN24
Master device: On the condition of having no memory of pairing with a slave
device, this PIN outputs the period of 110ms square wave. On the condition
of having the memory of pairing with a slave device, this PIN outputs the
period of 750ms square wave. After paired, this PIN outputs high level.

For master device, this PIN is used for emptying information about pairing.
After emptying, master device will search slaver randomly, then remember
PIN26
the address of the new got slave device. In the next power on, master device
will only search this address.

(1) The circuit 1 (connect the module to 3.3V serial port of MCU) is showed by figure 5.
 Figure 5 The circuit 1

In principle, HC-06 can work when UART_TXD, UART_RXD, VCC and GND are connected.
However, for better testing results, connecting LED and KEY are recommended (when testing the master).

Where, the 3.3V TXD of MCU connects to HC-06’s UART_RXD, the 3.3V RXD of MCU connects to
HC-06’s UART_TXD, and 3.3V power and GND should be connected. Then the minimum system is
finished.

Note that, the PIN2:UART_RXD of Bluetooth module has no pull-up resistor. If the MCU TXD doesn’t
have pull-up function, then user should add a pull-up resistor to the UART_RXD. It may be easy to be
ignored.

If there are two MCU which connect to master and slave device respectively, then before paired(LED
will flicker) user can send AT commands by serial port when the system is power on. Please refer to HC-
04 and HC-06’s data sheet for detailed commands. In the last chapter, the command set will be introduced.
Please pay attention to that the command of HC-04/HC-06 doesn’t have terminator. For example, consider
the call command, sending out AT is already enough, need not add the CRLF (carriage return line feed).

If the LED is constant lighting, it indicates the pairing is finished. The two MCUs can communicate
with each other by serial port. User can think there is a serial port line between two MCUs.
(2) The circuit 2 (connect the module to 5V serial port of MCU) is showed by figure 6.
 Figure 6 is the block diagram of Bluetooth baseboard. This kind of circuit can amplify Bluetooth
module’s operating voltage to 3.1-6.5V. In this diagram, the J1 port can not only be connected with MCU
system of 3.3V and 5V, but also can be connected with computer serial port.

Figure 6 The circuit 2

(3) AT command test

Before paired, the mode of HC-04 and HC-06 are AT mode.
On the condition of 9600N81, OK will be received when user send the two letters AT. Please refer to the
last chapter of datasheet for other commands of HC-06. Please pay attention to that sending out AT is
already enough, need not add the CRLF (carriage return line feed).

The command set of Version V1.4 doesn’t include parity. The version V1.5 and its later version have
parity function. Moreover, there are three more commands of V1.5 than V1.4. They are:

No parity (default) AT+PN

Odd parity AT+PO
Even parity AT+PE
Do not let the sending frequency of AT command of HC-06 exceed 1Hz, because the command of HC-
06 end or not is determined by the time interval.

(4) Pairing with adapter

User can refer to the download center of the company’s website for “The Introduction of IVT” that
introduces the Bluetooth module makes pair with computer adapter. That document taking HC-06-D for
example introduces how the serial module makes pair with the adapter. That method is like to make pair
with cell-phone. But the difference is that cell-phone need a third-party communication software to help.
It’s liked the kind of PC serial helper of and the hyper terminal. A software named “PDA serial helper”
provided by our company is suitable for WM system. It has been proven that this serial module is supported
by many smart phone systems’ Bluetooth, such as, sybian, android, windows mobile and etc.

(5) Pairing introduction

HC-06 master device has no memory before the first use. If the password is correct, the mater device
will make pair with the slave device automatically in the first use. In the following use, the master device
will remember the Bluetooth address of the last paired device and search it. The searching won’t stop until
the device is found. If master device’s PIN26 is input high level, the device will lose the memory. In that
occasion, it’ll search the proper slave device like the first use. Based on this function, the master device
can be set to make pair with the specified address or any address by user.

(6) Reset new password introduction

User can set a new password for the HC-06 through AT+PINxxxx command. But the new password
will become active after discharged all the energy of the module. If the module still has any energy, the old
one is still active. In the test, for discharging all the system energy and activating the new password, we
can connect the power supply PIN with GND about 20 seconds after the power is cut off. Generally,
shutting down the device for 30 minutes also can discharge the energy, if there is no peripheral circuit helps
discharge energy. User should make the proper way according to the specific situation.
(7) Name introduction
If the device has no name, it’s better that user doesn’t try to change the master device name. The name
should be limited in 20 characters.

5 manual for the first use of HC-05

This chapter will introduce how to test and use the HC-05 if it’s the first time for user to operate it.
(1) PINs description
PIN1 UART_TXD, Bluetooth serial signal sending PIN, can connect with MCU’s RXD PIN

UART_RXD, Bluetooth serial signal receiving PIN, can connect with the MCU’s TXD PIN,
PIN2
there is no pull-up resistor in this PIN. But It needs to be added an eternal pull-up resistor.

RESET, the reset PIN of module, inputting low level can reset the module, when the module is
PIN11
in using, this PIN can connect to air.

PIN12 VCC, voltage supply for logic, the standard voltage is 3.3V, and can work at 3.0-4.2V

PIN13 GND

LED1, indicator of work mode. Has 3 modes:

When the module is supplied power and PIN34 is input high level, PIN31 output 1Hz square
wave to make the LED flicker slowly. It indicates that the module is at the AT mode, and the
baud rate is 38400;

When the module is supplied power and PIN34 is input low level, PIN31 output 2Hz square

PIN31 wave to make the LED flicker quickly. It indicates the module is at the pairable mode. If PIN34
is input high level, then the module will enter to AT mode, but the output of PIN31 is still 2Hz
square wave.

After the pairing, PIN31 output 2Hz square ware.

Note: if PIN34 keep high level, all the commands in the AT command set can be in application.
Otherwise, if just excite PIN34 with high level but not keep, only some command can be used.
More information has provided at chapter 2.

PIN32 Output terminal. Before paired, it output low level. Once the pair is finished, it output high level.
 Mode switch input. If it is input low level, the module is at paired or communication mode. If
it’s input high level, the module will enter to AT mode. Even though the module is at
PIN34
communication, the module can enter to the AT mode if PIN34 is input high level. Then it will
go back to the communication mode if PIN34 is input low level again.

(2) Application circuit 1 (connect to the 3.3V system)

Figure 7 Application 1
(3) Application circuit 2 (connect to 5V serial system or PC serial)
 Figure 8 Application circuit 2

(4) AT command test

This chapter introduces some common commands in use. The detail introduction about HC-05
command is in HC-0305 AT command set.

Enter to AT mode:
Way1: Supply power to module and input high level to PIN34 at the same time, the module will enter to
AT mode with the baud rate-38400.

Way2: In the first step, supply power to module; In the second step, input high level to PIN34. Then the
module will enter to AT mode with the baud rate-9600. Way1 is recommended.

Command structure: all command should end up with “\r\n” (Hex: 0X0D X0A) as the terminator. If
the serial helper is installed, user just need enter “ENTER” key at the end of command.
Reset the master-slave role command:
AT+ROLE=0 ----Set the module to be salve mode. The default mode is salve.
AT+ROLE=1 ----Set the module to be master mode.

Set memory command:

AT+CMODE=1
Set the module to make pair with the other random Bluetooth module (Not specified address). The
default is this mode.

AT+CMODE=1
Set the module to make pair with the other Bluetooth module (specified address). If set the module to
make pair with random one first, then set the module to make pair with the Bluetooth module has specified
address. Then the module will search the last paired module until the module is found.

Reset the password command

AT+PSWD=XXXX
Set the module pair password. The password must be 4-bits.

Reset the baud rate

AT+UART== <Param>,<Param2>,<Param3>. More
information is provided at HC-0305 command set
Example:

AT+UART=9600,0,0 ----set the baud rate to be 9600N81

Reset the Bluetooth name
AT+NAME=XXXXX

Summary:
 HC-05 has many functions and covers all functions of HC-06. The above commands are the most
common ones. Besides this, HC-05 leaves lots of space for user. So HC-05 is better than HC-06 and
recommended. HC-03 is similar with HC-05. The above introduction also suits HC-03