How to create Gateway using nrf52840 for BLE mesh

[Omkar23]

Objective: Develop a BLE mesh application with nRF52840 as a sensor node. The sensor captures various parameters ( Temp, dissolved Oxygen etc.) and communicates them to relay nodes. The ultimate aim is to design a gateway to collect data from these relay nodes and forward it to a server. (I already implemented the sensor server client example. )

Queries:

1. Gateway Development with nRF52840:

   • Background: I've had some experience with basic examples provided by NRF Connect Desktop, including the BLE mesh chat and light dimmer.
   • Question: Could you guide me on the structured approach to building a gateway using the nRF52840? What are the key considerations and parameters I should be aware of? and what example should I look into to get a basic framework around which I can create this gateway using nrf52840.

2. Integration with GSM for Cloud Communication:

   • Background: The intention is to forward the data collected by the gateway to a server. A GSM module seems appropriate for this data-forwarding task.
   • Question: How can I integrate the nRF52840-based gateway with a GSM module for data transmission to the server? Could you provide an outline or framework for this integration?
     
     Thank you for your guidance! I'm still learning in this field, so I appreciate your patience with any basic questions I might have

[Elfving]

Hello Omkar,

That sounds like a plan! I'll get back to you on this tomorrow.

Regards,

Elfving

[Omkar23]

Hello Elfving, 

Any Update regarding the question 

BTW I researched a bit on how I can replace any extra hardware(Like the GSM module) from Gateway so that we can send data to the server. So I came across nrf7002 which has an inbuilt wifi-6, BLE mesh. So I was thinking of using that—any input you want to add to this walkaround. 

Regards,
Omkar

[Elfving]

Hello Omkar,

so sorry about the wait. Last week was a bit busy.

Question: Could you guide me on the structured approach to building a gateway using the nRF52840? What are the key considerations and parameters I should be aware of? and what example should I look into to get a basic framework around which I can create this gateway using nrf52840.

We have some documentation about various Mesh topics, but I do not think we have any general ones on starting the development.

Could you expand a bit on your network and what this gateway is supposed to do?

Integration with GSM for Cloud Communication:

You can have a look at this. This is gateway solution between normal BLE and Cellular IoT network. We do not have solution for BLE mesh directly, but should be similar.

Regards,

Elfving

[Omkar23]

Elfving said:

documentation about various Mesh topics,

I do not know if it is my system or something but it is showing that the page doesn't exist

[Elfving]

Sorry about that, this should be a working link.

Regards,

Elfving

[Omkar23]

Elfving said:

Could you expand a bit on your network and what this gateway is supposed to do?

Okay, let me explain what I want to achieve and what I'm able to do till now. so consider 4-5 nodes that collect data from the farm or anything that consists of temperature, humidity etc I use nrf52832 as the sensor node and I modify the standard BLE mesh Sensor server to get the data ( https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrf/samples/bluetooth/mesh/sensor_server/README.html ) now I add relay node so we can increase the range and then all the relay node will send data to one gateway for now I'm able to get data from 3 nodes to one gateway by modifying BLE mesh sensor client. But the thing is now I want to store data on the gateway and relay that to the server/cloud to do that I have two ideas one is to use the latest nrf7002 with wifi-6 or to use nrf8340 with gsm module. so I'm figuring out how to store data and make it like a standard Gateway

[Omkar23]

Elfving said:

You can have a look at this.

You this seems useful. I'll work around this. 

[Omkar23]

Elfving said:

Elfving

I'm pleased to inform you that I've successfully resolved all the errors and reconstructed a new code and model. This new model can effectively read sensor data and relay it to any designated relay node. For the sensor client, I've developed a specialized code that captures this value and transmits it to the server via Wi-Fi. I've employed the nrf5340 for the server nodes and the nrf7002 for the gateway. Hopefully one day I can able to push my code so everyone can use that. I deeply appreciate the time you took to address my concerns; your guidance was invaluable in this process.
Thank you!
Regards,
Omkar