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Debugging Bluetooth Connections
Debugging Bluetooth Connections

Things to check, steps to take to figure out why a bluetooth connection isn't working

Henrik Joreteg avatar
Written by Henrik Joreteg
Updated over a week ago

Important comaptibility note (updated: 4/24/2024):
We now only recommend using the Bluetooth adapters with Windows.

Sadly newer Macs do not seem to work well with these adapters. They often fail to keep them "paired" after disconnections. It's possible to connect and receive data through them with a Mac, but it seems that whenever the Bluetooth adapter itself loses power it's likely that you'll have to pair it to your Mac all over again.

If you really want to use it on a Mac we would suggest:

  1. Keeping power on to the bluetooth adapter at all times (intead of powering the adapter from the back of the monitor which will frequently be turned off).

  2. Be prepared to re-pair it with you Mac any time it doesn't work.

We have not been able to get Chromebooks to work at all with these bluetooth adapters. They will pair, but won't be recognized as selectable options in the "show connection selector" box.

As a result of the above, we now only recommend using the bluetooth adapters with Windows.


Step #1: Always start with the very basics:

  1. Confirm the power switch on the side set to "ON"

  2. Confirm the "mode" light is shining solid or blinking just to make sure it has power and is turned on.

Step #2: Confirm the baud rate switches on the adapter are correct

The "correct" baudrate will vary depending on what you are connecting.

Here are the corresponding settings based on type:

  1. Any monitor via Xlink box: 115,20O (yes, if you are connecting the bluetooth device to the Xlink adapter box you will always use this baudrate regardless of the monitor type).

  2. Mindray ePM 10 / 12: 38,400

  3. Mindray Passport series: 19,200

  4. PPM3 / Mortara: 38,400

  5. GE: Unfortunately we have not been able to get these to work with the bluetooth adapter.

For 19,200 the switches should be:
first: left

second: right

third: right

fourth: left

For 38,400 the switches should be:
first: right

second: left

third: right

fourth: left

For 115,200 the switches should be:
first: right

second: right

third: left

fourth: left

Step #3: Confirm the monitor baud rate matches (if not using Xlink box)

Important note if using Xlink box: If you are connecting via Xlink box, the baudrate on the monitor doesn't matter, since we're using the network port instead.

The PPM3 baudrate is *not* configurable. But the Mindray and Criticare ones are.

For Criticare

For Mindray ePM 10 and Minday ePM 12
Make sure it it set to 38,400 as shown at the very beginningn of this video.

For Mindray Passport and cPM

Make sure it is set to 19,200 as described in this article.


Step #4: Confirm the physical connections are tight and have the right adapters.

All Monitors except the Criticare will require a null modem adapter (usually small and orange) in addition to the wireless adapter.
All Criticare monitors will require a "gender changer" adpater as shown in this article.

Step #5: Remove any old bluetooth pairings with SD1000

This is IMPORTANT:

Any time you press the "reset" button the bluetooth adapter any previous "pairing" will no longer work. Even if you still see it listed in your computer's bluetooth settings!

If you don't have any, feel free to skip this step.

So if you have pushed the "reset" button using the little pinhole button on the bluetooth adapter you will have to re-pair it to your computer.


On Mac:

Important note for Mac users: A big downside with using the SD1000 device with a Mac is that it will need to be paired to the computer again each time the SD1000 has lost power. So if you're powering it off of the back of the monitor and and you turn the monitor off you'll need to pair it again each time you try to connect. If you're planning on using it with a Mac. Try to set it up in such a way that the SD1000 never loses power.

First open "system settings" and find "Bluetooth" and CLEAR ANY PREVIOUSLY PAIRED SD1000 connections. Click on the "i" and select "Forget this device".

On Windows:

Open "bluetooth & devices" settings and select "remove device" if you see SD1000 listed there.

Step #6: Pair adapter to the computer

First, for good measure, push and hold the "RESET" button using a tooth pick.

Hold it until you see the "mode" light turn off then back on.

THE MODE LIGHT SHOULD BE SHINING SOLID GREEN

Now press and hold the "pairing" button until it starts flashing.

THE MODE LIGHT SHOULD NOW BE BLINKING 3 TIMES THEN PAUSING

Now try pairing it again with the computer.

ONLY PAIR WITH A DEVICE WHOSE NAME STARTS WITH: "SD1000"

You may have to close and re-open the bluetooth settings screen if you're not seeing it available to pair with.

IT WILL ASK FOR A PIN, please enter: 1234

It will first say "connected" then "paired" (if you're on windows) or "Not Connected" if you're on a mac.

This is EXPECTED. It will not establish a connection until you try to use it.

Step #7: Try to use it in Xchart

Sign into your account, click the "cog" icon in the upper right corner of the the Case Manager and select "Test Monitor Connection"

This will open a new test case that will not be saved.


If you have used Xchart with other serial connections in the past you may have to reset permissions in Chrome. You can do that by clicking the little "lock" icon right next to the top.

And clicking "Reset permissions".

Be sure to refresh the page afterward.

Now, select your monitor type, and select the correct connection.

WINDOWS:

On windows it will be called something like: Generic Serial: COM3 (could be different number)


MAC:
On a mac it will actually be called: cu.SD1000...

If there are multiple options, select the one that starts with "cu".


Step #8: Hopefully, celebrate your success!

At this point, it should be working. If you don't see a blue connection screen as shown below please take a screenshot and send it to [email protected]

Next time, you shouldn't need to do any of the above.

Simply open a case in Xchart, select the connection and it should work.

Still having trouble?

If you see a message about "Failed to execute 'open' on SerialPort.

Things to try:

  1. Refresh the page and try it again.

  2. Double check the switches on the bluetooth adapter match.

  3. Turn bluetooth adapter swtich off and then back on.

Other tips

You can also open the bluetooth settings screen on the side of the browser as shown below. When you select the connection, you should see the system settings got from "paired" / "not connected" to "connected".

Seeing another error message? Please send us a screenshot to [email protected] and we'll do our best to help.

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