All Bluetooth devices must have a “foundation profile”, one that all other Bluetooth profiles are dependent upon.
This profile is called the Generic Access Profile (GAP). It defines the basic procedures for detecting other Bluetooth devices (idle mode procedures) and link management aspects of connecting to Bluetooth devices (connecting mode procedures). It also defines procedures related to the use of different security levels.
In theory, any two Bluetooth devices should be able to connect at a basic level, since they all support this profile; even if it’s just in order to determine that they don’t share any common functions or applications.
All the other profiles operate on top of the GAP and depend on it. Furthermore, some of these profiles have other profiles located above them.
For example, above the GAP are the Serial Port Profile (SPP), Generic Object Exchange Profile (GOEP), and Synchronization Profile (SYNC). Many of the most common profiles, such as the Headset Profile (HSP) and Fax Profile rely on the SPP.
So, if you want to synchronize your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone with your Bluetooth-enabled computer, both will have to support the GAP, the SPP, the GOEP and the SYNC. But there’s no need for them to have any of the other profiles (unless of course you want them to perferm other functions).
Here is a listing of the most commonly used, current Bluetooth profiles:
- Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)
- Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
- Basic Imaging Profile (BIP)
- Basic Printing Profile (BPP)
- Common ISDN Access Profile (CIP)
- Cordless Telephony Profile (CTP)
- Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN)
- Fax Profile (FAX)
- File Transfer Profile (FTP)
- Generic Audio/Video Distribution Profile (GAVDP)
- Generic Access Profile (GAP)
- Generic Object Exchange Profile (GOEP)
- Hands-Free Profile (HFP)
- Hardcopy Cable Replacement Profile (HCRP)
- Headset Profile (HSP)
- Human Interface Device Profile (HID)
- Intercom Profile (ICP)
- Object Push Profile (OPP)
- Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN)
- Serial Port Profile (SPP)
- Service Discovery Application Profile (SDAP)
- Synchronization Profile (SYNC)
- Video Distribution Profile (VDP)
Additional profiles include:
- Device Identification Profile (DI)
- Health Device Profile (HDP)
- Message Access Profile (MAP)
- Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP)
- SIM Access Profile (SAP)
For more information about Bluetooth profiles, please visit the Bluetooth SIG's Website.
