bccmd Command in Linux
The bccmd command is a robust utility for interacting with Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) devices. This command allows you to issue BlueCore commands to these devices.
CRA is a multinational fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom. CSR specializes in creating connectivity, audio, imaging, and location chips. Their portfolio included solutions for Bluetooth, GPS, FM broadcasting, Wi-Fi, and more.
The bccmd utility lets you communicate with CSR devices and perform multiple tasks. If you run it without specifying a <command>, it displays a short help page.
Table of Contents
Here is a comprehensive guide to the options available with the bccmd command −
- Syntax for bccmd Command in Linux
- Different options available for the bccmd command
- Various commands to use with the bccmd utility
- Examples of bccmd Command in Linux
Syntax for bccmd Command in Linux
The following is the general syntax for the bccmd command −
bccmd [-t <transport>] [-d <device>] <command> [<args>]
Different Options Available for the bccmd Command
The following are various options to use with the bccmd command for configuring the transport and specifying the device to operate on.
| Tag | Description |
|---|---|
| -t <transport> |
This flag allows you to specify the communication transport. The valid options are − HCI − Refers to the local device with Host Controller Interface (usually the default). USB − Used for direct USB connections. BCSP − Stands for Blue Core Serial Protocol. H4 − Represents the H4 serial protocol. 3WIRE − Although not implemented, it refers to the 3WIRE protocol. |
| -d <dev> | With this flag, you can specify a particular device to operate on. If you dont provide a device, the default behavior is to use the first available HCI device or /dev/ttyS0 for serial transports. |
Various Commands to use with the bccmd Utility
The following are different commands you can use with bccmd utility to perform various tasks.
| Tag | Description |
|---|---|
| builddef | Retrieves build definitions |
| keylen <handle> | Gets the current cryptographic key length. |
| clock | Retrieves the local Bluetooth clock |
| rand | Generates a random number. |
| buildname | Retrieves the full build name. |
| panicarg | Gets the panic code argument. |
| faultarg | Gets the fault code argument. |
| coldreset | Performs a cold reset. |
| warmreset | Performs a warm reset. |
| disabletx | Disables transmission (TX) on the device. |
| enabletx | Enables transmission (TX) on the device. |
| Singlechan <channel> | Locks the radio on a specific channel. |
| hoppingon | Reverts to channel hopping. |
| rttxdata1 <decimal freq MHz> <level> | Conducts a TXData1 radio test. |
| memtypes | Get memory types |
| psget [-r] [-s <stores>] <key> | Retrieves the value for a PS key. The -r flag sends a warm reset afterward. |
| psset [-r] [-s <stores>] <key> <value> | Sets the value for a PS key. The -r flag sends a warm reset afterward. |
| psclr [-r] [-s <stores>] <key> | Clears the value for a PS key. The -r flag sends a warm reset afterward. |
| pslist [-r] [-s <stores>] | Lists all PS keys. The -r flag sends a warm reset afterward. |
| psread [-r] [-s <stores>] | Reads all PS keys. The -r flag sends a warm reset afterward. |
| psload [-r] [-s <stores>] <file> | Loads all PS keys from a PSR file. The -r flag sends a warm reset afterward. |
| pscheck [-r] [-s <stores>] <file> | Checks the syntax of a PSR file. The -r flag sends a warm reset afterward. |
Examples of bccmd Command in Linux
In this section, we'll explore some examples of using the bccmd command, along with its options and other commands −
Build Definitions
To get build definitions, use the following syntax −
bccmd builddef
Retrieve Cryptographic Key Length
To retrieve the current cryptographic key length, use the following syntax −
bccmd -t HCI -d /dev/ttyS0 keylen 7
Replace <7> with your actual handle value −
To identify you're handle value, you can use the following command to list active connections and their handles −
hcitool con
Fetch Local Bluetooth Clock
To fetch the local Bluetooth clock, run the following command −
bccmd -t USB clock
Retrieve a PS Key Value
To get the value of a specific PS key, run the following command −
bccmd -t H4 psget bd_addr
Replace <bd_addr> with the specific key you want to query.
Get Chip Revision
To retrieve the chip revision using the bccmd tool, use the following syntax −
bccmd -t HCI chiprev
Generate Random Number
Creating random numbers is crucial for creating secure encryption keys cryptographic algorithms also rely on unpredictable random numbers to enhance security.
To generate a random number, use the following command −
bccmd -t BCSP rand
Retrieve Full Build Name
To get the full build name, run −
bccmd buildname
This command provides you with the complete build name associated with the CSR device youre working with.
Get Panic Code Argument
To retrieve the panic code argument, you can run the following command −
bccmd panicarg
Get Fault Code Argument
To retrieve the fault code argument, you can use the following syntax −
bccmd faultarg
Perform a Cold Reset
To perform a cold reset, you can simply use the following syntax −
bccmd coldreset
This will initiate a cold reset on the Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) device.
Perform a Warm Reset
To perform a warm reset, you can use the following syntax −
bccmd warmreset
This will initiate a warm reset on the Cambridge Silicon Radio (CSR) device.
Enable TX on the Device
To enable transmission (TX) on your device, you can use the following syntax −
bccmd enabletx
TX is the process of transmitting data from one device (such as a Bluetooth module) to another. When TX is enabled, your device actively sends out signals.
Disable TX on the device
To disable transmission (TX) on your device, you can use the following command −
bccmd disabletx
By using this command, you instruct your device to turn off its transmission capability. Essentially, it stops sending data over the airwaves.
Lock radio on a specific channel
To lock the radio on a specific channel, you can simply run the following command −
bccmd singlechan 32
Replace <32> with your desired channel number.
Set Value for PS Key
To set a value for a PS key, use the following syntax −
bccmd psset -r -s main my_key 120
Replace <my-key> and <120> with your actual values.
Clear value for PS key
To clear the value for a PS key, you can simply use the following syntax −
bccmd psclr -r -s main my_key
TXData1 radio test
To perform the TXData1 radio test, specify the decimal frequency in megahertz and the desired transmission level. For instance −
bccmd rttxdata1 2452 10
Conclusion
These are some of the operations you can perform with the bccmd utility. However, take into account that usage may vary based on your specific requirements and the CSR device youre working with.