1. Introduction
The WCH-BLE Analyzer and WCH-BLE Analyzer Pro are multi-purpose Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) development and testing tools. They are designed to monitor BLE broadcast channel packets or communication between connected devices, and analyze these packets using PC software (BleAnalyzer.exe) for clear display to users.
The WCH-BLE analyzer accurately and quickly parses each protocol layer of BLE and presents the results in a unique, user-friendly interface, simplifying the visualization of BLE transmitted data. It includes auxiliary functions such as powerful filtering to isolate specific packets, selective display for packets of interest, and multi-type statistics to show real-time packet counts. This tool helps developers efficiently locate and solve problems in BLE development and is an essential resource for learning BLE protocols.
2. Features
- Powerful Parsing Function: Parses each protocol layer of BLE and can restore encrypted data packets in case of packet loss.
- Accurate Statistics Function: Provides real-time statistics on the number of connection communication packets lost, empty packets, connection packets, broadcast packets, and other types of data packets.
- Clear Interface Display: Offers unique controls to display results of different packet parsing types, with clear indications for connection communication packet loss.
- Rich Filtering Function: Allows filtering based on broadcast type, broadcast address, RSSI range, and other conditions.
- Flexible Configuration: Can be configured to listen to connection communication for specified addresses or set to broadcast channel polling. It can also listen to packets of any communication channel, access address, CRC initial value, and enable/disable the Whitening function.
Product Applications
- BLE data monitoring and analysis
- BLE product research and development
- BLE problem finding and testing
- BLE protocol learning and enhancement
3. Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Model | BLE-AnalyzerPro |
| Product Size (without antenna) | 91 mm * 64 mm * 15 mm |
| Product Size (including antenna) | 91 mm * 64 mm * 50 mm |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40°C to 85°C |
| Interface Configuration | USB 2.0 |
| Working Voltage | 5V |
| Supported Bluetooth Protocols | BLE 4.0 / 4.1 / 4.2 / 5.0 / 5.2 |
| Type | Module |
| Origin | Mainland China |
Appearance
4. System Requirements
4.1. Minimum Configuration
- CPU Clock Speed: 1 GHz
- Memory: 512MB
- Hard drive space remaining: 1GB
- USB Interface: USB 2.0
- Operating System: Windows XP
4.2. Recommended Configuration
- CPU Clock Speed: 2GHz or higher
- Memory: 2GB or more
- Hard drive space remaining: 2GB or more
- USB Interface: USB 2.0
- Operating System: Windows 7 or higher
5. Software Installation
- Download the software from the official website: https://www.wch-ic.com/downloads/WCH_BLEAnalyzer_zip.html
- Connect the WCH-BLE analyzer to your PC. The system should indicate that new hardware has been found.
- Locate and double-click the
BleAnalyzer Setup.exeinstallation file. - Follow the prompts in the setup wizard. Click "Next" to proceed from the welcome screen.
- Review the license terms. If you agree, click "I Agree" to continue.
- Confirm the installation path. Click "Next" to complete the installation.
- After successful installation, verify that the driver is recognized in the Device Manager.
5.2. Software Uninstallation
To uninstall the software:
- Go to the Start menu, find "BleAnalyzer" in "All Programs", and run "Uninstall".
- Confirm the uninstallation by clicking "Yes" when prompted.
A dialog box will confirm successful uninstallation.
6. Operation
6.1. Software Interface Overview
The WCH-BLE Analyzer software is broadly divided into the following functional modules:
- Menu: Software menu list, including file operations, function menu, parameter settings, and other modules.
- Tools Bar: Iconic software toolbar for easy operation.
- Display Window: Displays all packet contents and filtering results.
- Function Window: Contains filtering, finding, statistics, and other operation function modules.
- Status Bar: Displays the time and information about the operation.
- Connections Window: Displays the property service and handle information of all currently grabbed connections.
- Broadcast Window: Shows nearby broadcast devices.
6.2. Software Function List
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Clean | Clear screen, clear all data in the current area. |
| Open | Open an existing *.ble file and analyze the data again. |
| Save | Save the display data as a *.ble file with the specified name. |
| Start | Start the packet capture and display the analysis results in the screen. |
| Stop | Stop packet capture. |
| Auto Scroll | Set automatic scrolling to the latest data or stop automatic scrolling. |
| About | Display program information, version number, and copyright information. |
| Broadcast Window | Show or hide the broadcast window. |
| Connections Window | Show or hide the connections window. |
| Set | Set time units, broadcast channels, LTK, and other parameter values. |
| Select Display | Display matching data based on different combinations of conditions. |
| Packet Filter | Filter the current data based on different combinations of conditions. |
| Packet Detail | Double-click on any packet in the display area to display its detailed information. |
| Packet Statistics | Real-time statistics on the number of packets of each type. |
6.3. General Operation
- Start the analyzer tool and click the [START] button. The default configuration listens to 37 channels of broadcast packets. Broadcast packets will be captured and displayed.
- To connect a slave device with a master device, if the analyzer listens for a "connection request packet" in the broadcast channel, it will start tracking the connection communication and can capture the data of the connection communication.
Note: If the host device and slave device are connected, but the analyzer does not show a connection status, you may need to cancel the pairing, disconnect, and then repeat step 2 until the analyzer is connected.
6.4. Setting Parameters
Users can configure the BLE listen settings for connection traffic at a specified address, or broadcast channel polling. When multiple devices are plugged in, cascade mode will be used, allowing configuration of open status of multiple devices and listening channels. With the custom 2.4G module, you can listen to packets of any communication channel, access address, CRC initial value, and choose whether to disable the Whitening function. Users can also configure LTK and PassKey for decryption settings.
After setting, the software will automatically save this configuration. Users can restore the default configuration by clicking the "Default" button.
6.5. Display Area
The display area, located in the center of the software below the toolbar, shows the captured packets and their analysis results. This screen displays all the captured packets and their parsing results; this screen can show the data results after filtering, finding or selecting to display, etc.
6.6. Packet Filter
The Packet Filter function allows you to filter the current data based on different combinations of conditions. This is located in the second tab of the functional area.
When you need to remove a condition, first select the condition item in the comparison list, and then click the "Remove" button; you can also directly click the "Reset" button to restore the situation before the comparison.
Users can filter packets based on index number, Channel, Access Address, broadcast packet type, broadcast packet address, RSSI range, control packet type, and packet channel ID value. The format of the conditional value input will be prompted by the mouse hover in the right edit box. Users must follow the prompts to enter the condition values in the standard format, and then click the Add button. Multiple conditions can be added to the comparison list in turn. The relationship between the conditions is "AND" when comparing, that is, the filtered package should meet all the conditions in the comparison list at the same time.
6.7. Packet Details
The Packet Details function displays the channel value (hex), index value (hex), time value (hex), length (hex), and the original data of a packet. This is located in the third tab of the functional area.
6.8. Packet Statistics
During packet capture, the module can count the number of each type of packet in real-time. When opening a BLE data file, the module can re-analyze the number of each type of packet in the file. This is located in the fourth tab of the functional area.
- Error statistics: Statistics for data packets, packet loss, and CRC errors for broadcast packets.
- Success statistics: The number of different types of broadcast packets, the number of control packets, data packets, and empty packets can be counted.
6.9. Status Bar
The Status Bar displays the current actions of the menu bar and toolbar, as well as the current time. It is located at the bottom of the software interface.
6.10. Broadcast Information
This function displays the devices that are broadcasting nearby.
6.11. Connection Information
This function displays connection information captured by the analyzer, including device address, time, attribute handle, service, etc.
Operation: Left-click to jump to the corresponding location of the packet serial number. Also, in the packet filtering function, you can filter the data according to the handle.
7. Maintenance and Cautions
- Avoid bumping, knocking, dropping, or vibrating the BLEAnalyzer.
- Do not use or store the BLE Analyzer near strong magnetic fields.
- Please keep away from high temperature, high humidity, and dusty environments to avoid damage.
- Keep away from corrosive and oxidizing gases to avoid damage.
- Do not disassemble the WCH-BLE Analyzer device components.
8. Troubleshooting (Q&A)
- Q1: Why is the "start" button of the software grayed out?
- A1:
- Open the Device Manager and check if the WCH-BLE Analyzer device is running properly. If the device is not recognized, please reinstall the program.
- Re-plug the device and check if the device is not recognized properly due to hardware connection failure.
- Q2: Is Linux Kali x64 supported?
- A2: The official documentation specifies Windows XP, Windows 7, or higher as the supported operating systems. Linux support is not explicitly mentioned, and specialized hardware tools often require specific drivers or software not available for Linux distributions like Kali.
- Q3: Is there software available for MacBook Pro m2?
- A3: The official documentation indicates support for Windows operating systems (Windows XP, Windows 7, or higher). There is no explicit mention of support for macOS or Apple Silicon (M2) processors.
9. User Tips
- Always ensure the device drivers are correctly installed and the device is recognized by your operating system before launching the analysis software.
- If you encounter issues with the software's 'Start' button being inactive, a quick check in Device Manager and re-plugging the device can often resolve driver recognition problems.
- For optimal performance and compatibility, use the analyzer on a computer running Windows 7 or a newer version, meeting or exceeding the recommended system specifications.
10. Warranty and Support
For technical support, software updates, or any inquiries regarding your WCH BLE-AnalyzerPro, please refer to the official WCH website for the latest resources and contact information.
Official Software Download & Wiki: https://www.wch-ic.com/downloads/WCH_BLEAnalyzer_zip.html
For direct support, you may contact:
- Contact Person: Mr. Cai
- Phone/Wechat: +86-13420941286
- Email: shengmeidz@163.com
Please note that contact information may be subject to change. Always check the official WCH website for the most up-to-date support details.