Bluetooth Tracker - FAQ

This page answers the questions that our technical team is asked most often.

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General

Does the analyzer use the clock from the Central device or otherwise participate actively in the Piconet?
The analyzer is purely passive. It does not require synchronization with any device under test and does not in any way participate actively in the Bluetooth environment.
Is there a cost for upgrading the analyzer software?
There is never a cost for software updates. These are provided without cost for the life of the product.
What audio codecs and services are supported?
We support LC3, SBC, LDAC, MPEG4, AAC, aptX, G.722 and Speex. Audio Streaming for Hearing Aid (ASHA) GATT is supported. Other codecs may be supported and added periodically as needs arise. Contact Ellisys for the latest details.
Can I request a feature addition?
Yes, please feel free to open a dialog with Ellisys technical support on such requests.
Why is the USB driver not loading?
If the Control Computer does not detect the presence of the rear USB port on the analyzer (or if the driver otherwise fails to install), the user can manually install the USB driver by going to the operating system's Device Manager, typically located in the Windows Control Panel, selecting the attached Ellisys analyzer, and manually pointing via "Update Driver" to the Ellisys "Drivers" folder which installs with the Bluetooth Explorer application. This folder is typically located in your Program Files folder at [path]EllisysEllisys Bluetooth AnalyzerDrivers.

Software

How do I hide traffic?
A wide variety of filtering options are available. Please consult Chapter 8 Display Filters for more information about filtering or see Expert Note EEN_BT08, Separating the Wheat from the Chaff, located on the Welcome page of the application.
What do I need to do to update the software?
If your Control Computer is connected to the Internet, go to the Help menu and select "Check for Updates." Otherwise, please contact support or visit the Downloads section on the Ellisys website to request the latest software.
Are link keys stored so I don't have to re-capture a connection to see the traffic decrypted?
Yes, the software will provide the user with the option to save link keys.
Can I manually enter an IRK?
Yes, open the Bluetooth Device Traffic Filter (Section 10.5, Bluetooth Device Traffic Filter), select the device, and click on Edit.
My capture file is showing blank windows with the text "This view is available as a software option."
In most cases, this is caused when the analyzer is detached from the Control Computer before the capture is saved. License information is saved with the capture. Always leave the analyzer attached until the capture is saved. To fix this, attach your analyzer to the Control Computer and re-save the capture file.
My file size is huge. How can I reduce it?
There are a few approaches. You can do a Save Filtered Copy (File Menu or Main Toolbar) to create a new trace file that includes only the devices subject to your device filter. You can also remove trace file components in the Save Filtered Copy dialog, like raw spectrum or one of the traffic streams (like HCI, Bluetooth LE, BR/EDR, etc.). The Save Filtered Copy function does not replace the original file, it creates a new trace file. In the Export menu (File | Export) you can do an export that is based on a time range or the active overview. The raw spectrum capture (Recording Options | Wireless) is often the most aggressive user of memory. If this feature is not needed, it's best to leave it disabled. If the file is still too large, such as for e-mailing, use the Share to Cloud feature in the File menu to share the trace file.

Capture

Does the position of the antenna influence the capture?
The position of the analyzer's antenna as well as the position of the device's antenna is important for getting optimal captures. Each antenna has a specific radiation pattern which needs to be known to avoid blind spots. Please consult the EEN_BT05 - Understanding Antenna's Radiation Pattern Expert Note to get more information about antennas.
Is there an optimal placement of devices that I am analyzing?
Please consult the EEN_BT04 - Optimal Placement of Your Analyzer Expert Note to get more information about optimal placement.
I captured traffic but did not see traffic being decrypted by the analyzer. What do I need to do to have traffic decrypted?
There are a few points to be considered to get the traffic decrypted. Please consult the EEN_BT03 - Your First Wide-band Capture Expert Note to learn about conditions to get decryption.
Does the Radio Sensitivity slide bar in the Recording Options menu work for all radios?
It affects Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in the 2.4G band, but not 5G band.
My Wi-Fi capture is not decrypted. Why?
The software needs to see the Wi-Fi association in order to decrypt the encrypted traffic. The proper sequence would be to have the Wi-Fi client disconnected, start the capture, connect the Wi-Fi client, do the desired data exchange, then stop the capture. Be sure to enter the passkey as well (this is done using the Wi-Fi Security button, located on the toolbar of the Wi-Fi Overview).

More information

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