Ubertooth One

The Ubertooth One is an open source 2.4 GHz device suitable for Bluetooth experimentation. Based on the powerful LPC175x ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller with full-speed USB 2.0, the Ubertooth One is a great way to develop custom Class 1 comparable Bluetooth devices. The entire board is onlytwo and a half inches long with a USB-A connector at one end and an RP-SMA connector at the other.

One thing that sets the Ubertooth apart from other Bluetooth development platforms and Software Defined Radios (SDR) is that it's capable of not only sending and receiving 2.4 GHz signals, but can also operate in monitor mode, monitoring Bluetooth traffic in real-time. This operating mode has been present in low-cost WiFi modules for years and has found myriad uses in research, development and security auditing but no such solution existed for the Bluetooth standard until now. Also, because it's a fully open-source platform (software and hardware), the schematics and code are readily available for all of your hacking needs.

Note: In order to open the schematic and board design files found in the source package, you will need to download KiCad, an open source electronic design automation software package.

  • 2.4 GHz Transmit and Receive.
  • Transmit power and receive sensitivity comparable to a Class 1 Bluetooth device.
  • Standard Cortex Debug Connector (10-pin 50-mil JTAG)
  • In-System Programming (ISP) Serial Connector
  • Expansion connector intended for inter-Ubertooth communication or other future uses.
  • Six Indicator LEDs
  • 2.4 GHz Duck Antenna Included
  • 61.75mm x 19mm (2.43" x 0.75")

Ubertooth One Product Help and Resources

Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

3 Programming

Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

1 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Noob - You don't need to reference a datasheet, but you will need to know basic power requirements.
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Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

  • loconut / about 4 years ago / 1

    Any chance I could emulate a HID keyboard on the USB interface?

  • Member #866675 / about 8 years ago / 1

    Does it support Bluetooth LE?

  • hueyhuecoyotl / about 9 years ago / 1

    Is this a kit or a fully built device?

    • M-Short / about 9 years ago / 1

      This comes as shown, a board and an antenna. But you do have to attach the antenna.

  • Loxontop / about 13 years ago / 5

    the price is a bit on the high side..

  • cjenkins / about 13 years ago / 3

    Woow, cool, it was made with Kicad!! :D
    Open Hardware meets Free Software! Finally...
    Sparkfun, take note please :P

  • Ashley_Nelson / about 13 years ago / 2

    ubertooth one is awesome!
    - see the videos from hak5 and you'll be concerned.
    - the price is as lil as it can be, you'll spend more money building one yourself first time.
    The one I bought didn't pass the usb enumeration process (indicated by the red usbled that supposed to be high).
    Mike Ossmann helped on this issue immediately, unveiling the cause.
    So I just reworked the CC2400 ic with a hot-air (I didn't have to resolder it completely, I've just remelted the solder under the pins - it took about 3 minutes) and ubertooth was fully operational.
    It's one of a huge quantity well-made devices, but if you'll get the same malfunction - it's pretty easy to deal with.
    explore the source package for an awesome 2.4GHz spectrum analyzer - it shows graphically all 2.4-2.5GHz activity.

  • Srob / about 10 years ago / 1

    Great tool... but consider to install it under Ubuntu. I don't know for windows or osx lion and below... but under maverick I wasn't able to build libusb-compat-0.1.x (which is needed). Don't even try .. you will waste your time. So easy and quick fix which will work like a charm... install Ubuntu 14.04 in VirtualBox. And follow the installation guide made by Isaias. ***BELOW IN THIS THREAD

  • I made an installation guide on ubuntu using virtualbox and ubuntu 12.04

    http://cerescontrols.com/tutorials-3/sniffing-bluetooth-packets-with-kismet-and-wireshark-in-ubuntu-12-04/

    • Srob / about 10 years ago / 1

      Thanks a lot! I was screwed with Maverick cause I wasn't able to install libusb-compat-0.1. I was so pissed... then I just found your comment. Thanks a lot for that well explain guide... easy to understand. Cheers !!!

  • Steven Osborn / about 11 years ago / 1

    Software doesn't build at all on OS X 10.9.X (Mavericks). No binaries available for newest versions of Ubuntu, Windows, or OS X. If you are running the latest version of OS X you are SOL. This thing does what it claims, but is not for the weak at heart. Plan on spending several hours just getting it setup. I ended up having to install Ubuntu 12.04 in VMWare to run the software.

  • Member #496681 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Can this be used for spectrum sensing applications for something like an ISM band cognitive radio? Can this be considered as an alternative to a USRP ?

  • d0773d / about 12 years ago / 1

    How far can the signal reach?

    • mossmann / about 12 years ago / 2

      Range depends on several factors, the most important being the nature of the device at the other end of the wireless connection. An Ubertooth One to Ubertooth One connection without obstructions should work up to about 100 meters. See the Wireless Buying Guide and How Far Does It Go?.

  • madhak / about 12 years ago / 1

    Can this be used with a Uart port on Arduino or do I need a USB connection?

    • mossmann / about 12 years ago / 1

      The shipping firmware is only useful via USB, but there are pins exposed that would allow you to create different interfaces if you write your own firmware.

  • stephen- / about 13 years ago / 1

    can someone please point me to where I can buy the 10-pin 50-mil JTAG header that goes on this board?

  • Flokos / about 13 years ago / 1

    I think thare has been a mistake on the description .
    On the projects site I read this one "Ubertooth Zero, a low power (comparable to a Class 3 Bluetooth device) USB dongle."
    And on your description you say "Class 1 comparable" .

    • mossmann / about 13 years ago / 1

      Ubertooth Zero and Ubertooth One are two different things.

  • Member #233747 / about 13 years ago / 1

    Does Sparkfun ship Ubertooth one with pre-programmed bootloader and any particular firmware? I ask because I can't get it to be recognized on any USB port on any system, at all. I don't have any ISP tools handy at this instance in time, but was certainly expecting pre-programmed firmware.

    • mossmann / about 13 years ago / 1

      Yes, it ships with firmware, including a bootloader. Follow the Getting Started instructions on the sourceforge page and email me (mike@ossmann.com) and/or the ubertooth-general list for support.

  • NF6X / about 13 years ago / 1

    This is a nice piece of hardware! I wish it had a plastic enclosure, though.

    • Rysc Corp / about 10 years ago / 1

      You can get an enclosure for your ubertooth and optionally rip it off @ http://store.ryscc.com/

    • If it came with the enclosure, I'd be compelled to rip it off.

    • mossmann / about 13 years ago / 1

      It is designed to fit the P3A-260906U enclosure. I also recommend 5/8" clear heat shrink tubing.

  • MoriFi / about 13 years ago / 1

    love your use of the word myriad.

Customer Reviews

4 out of 5

Based on 2 ratings:

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1 of 1 found this helpful:

Fun little device

The ubertooth worked as expected in linux. Originally had a problem with it not connecting properly to an ubuntu VM, but works fine on physical hardware. The preloaded firmware is 2 years out of date so please remember to update the firmware when you get it.

very good, it is an excellent tool for our laboratory