In a comment in 2014 you mentioned that you'd ordered additional modules that claimed to have different BlueTooth profiles, did you ever get these modules and did any of them have the HFP (handsfree) profile?

You also mentioned that you might be able to dump the EEPROM for the different modules and compare them, did you ever get round to that and if so do you have a link to the EEPROM dumps?

Hi everyone,

I just want to ask something, I am creating a Bluetooth speaker using a xs3868 but I can't get it to work... I released the same wiring than you, but I can't detect the chip with my phone, the led stay off, and I just can hear a type of static in the left channel. So a few questions : what did you have done when you say "After various tweaking" (P.3 of the PDF) ? I precise that I did not used the serial to set the chip, is it absolutely necessary ? Oh and when you say "the module refuses to start back up [...] source pins shorted", which pins exactly ? 

Thanks a lot man, good luck ! :D

You don't need to setup the module via the UART for it to operate. I believe there is multiple pinouts of the XS3868. Maybe you have a different module? I did this about 2 years ago. 

When I said "source pins" I was referring to Vcc and Vss I think. I've had the final circuit installed in my car radio for about two years. "Various tweaking" I believe was me double checking all my connections. 

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful! : ( You can look up the datasheet for the IC and trace the pins to make sure your module has the same pinout? 

Thanks for your help, I checked all my connections and it seems the "voltage divider bridge" I made produce only 2.3V, so I will correct this first. Then I'll try what you say, I hope this will help me :D

Thank you ! :D

Hi Tyler, sorry for being late. 

I finally was able to correctly power the device, using a few resistors to correct the tension from 12 to 3.6V. When I turn on the system, I can hear a little sound "ding ding ding" and the LED turns on during 1/4 second. But after that, I can hear a lot of parasites, a sound like the "iiiiiiii..." of a tube TV. The problem is that the device is not discovered by my phone, so I think it doesn't work correctly... Do you think I should use a LM317, or the problem isn't there ? I think about it since June and I haven't found yet the solution ! :(

Thank you for your help, I hope you will be able to miraculously help me ! X)

ZP

Hi buddy ...  :)
firstly,  thank you for this post ..
secondly , I have a question my friend ..
Is there any way to send the name of a contact and make call to that name by xs3868 ? 

;)

I had this issue. It depends on the set of AT commands loaded into the XS3868. It either comes with the firmware or it doesn't. I ordered a bunch of one later which are "suppose" to support that feature, but I never got around to checking it out. 

Did you ever manage to get SPP working with this device?

No. I don't believe the module had the SPP profile loaded into the EEPROM. I order a few additional modules a while back. Which are suppose to support additional profiles. I'll let you know if they have SPP. 

I tried to access the drive link, but it says: "We're sorry. You can't access this item because it is in violation of our Terms of Service." Is there any other way to get more details about thisproject? I have a Mazda 3 car and I want to integrate BT audio into the car.

Should be fixed. Please double check. 

I'm very interested in the info on your project. I'm planning to build a screenless Google Glass clone onto my glasses, and this seems to be the best bluetooth module for under $5.

I have a pdf build log. I didn't expect how many people wanted info on this. I'll upload what I have sometime this week.

I think I've got everything I'm after figured out now, but it'd still be great to see your build log!

Mystery solved: I had the wrong pinout. It seems that there are multiple variants of the XS3868 module; mine has a single unbroken row of 12 pins on one side and 11 on the other, and it has a gap between the VBAT and GND pins (whereas the schematic I found showed them side by side. Shifting the GND connection one pin towards the antenna end of the board has resolved the issue!

Awesome, I'm glad you made some progress! The AT commands are quite strange.

The XS3868 datasheet lists a number of possible bluetooth profiles and AT commands that my module didn't support. There is a seperate EEPROM chip on the module which I believe is used to hold configuration data or maybe even the firmware for XS3868. I ordered additional modules which state they support BT profiles I really wanted. H2P I believe. SPP would be dope. Anyway, if I get ahead in school I'll dump the EEPROM contains of both modules, comapare them and upload the results.

If you want my build log, I could totally send it. I did all my AT inferfacing testing with a BusPirate.

I've picked up a few of these modules, and I'm trying to get them to work. Is there any chance you'll be documenting this in any detail?

I'm finding that they get very hot when powered from a 3.7V lipo battery - did you find it necessary to attach a heatsink? I also haven't been able to get it to respond to AT commands or become discoverable (except possibly for the briefest of moments, but that seems to have been a fluke). Any info you're able to provide would be much appreciated.